AN ABSENT MATRON.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVII, Issue 17881, 29 August 1918, Page 7

AN ABSENT MATRON.

HOSPITAL LADY SUPERINTENDENT. ON WAR DUTY. MUST RETURN OR RESIGN. Tho Hospital Committee, in its report to the Hospital Board yesterday, Btated that it had taken into consideration the position of tho acting-lady superintendent, who, to her disadvantage, was loyally standing by the hospital year after year. When in March, 1916, leave of absence was granted to Miss Thurston, nobody in New ' Zealand anticipated that the war would run into the fifth year, and th 0 end not bo in sight. The committee now suggested that the position bo placed before Miss 'Jhurstou, who would no doubt recognise the position in which Miss Muir was_ placed, and either return to take up her duties or resign rather than aggravate a difficult position for one who, though inducements had offered, had stuck to her post and her promise to “stand by.”

Mr H. B. Sorensen, in moving that tho clause should bo deleted, said that . a principle was involved, and tho board having given certain leave of absence could not abrogate its obligations simply because the war did not finish. If tho clause were adopted, the same thing should be done in regard to doctors, storekeepers and others. Mr W. M’Millan seconded the motion.

Mr W. H. Cooper said that he disagreed with Mr Sorensen. When Mis 3 Thurston had volunteered, very nobly, lor nursing service, it was generally thought that the war wquld be finish! ed in a few months or a year. At that time the lady appointed fo succeed Miss Thurston was doubtless looking round for a better position, and now I>r Fox assured the board that Miss Muir had suffered loss through being compelled to stay in Christchurch without security of tenure. At the meeting of the committee the principal opposition had coino from Mr Sorensen, who had spoken as if an earthquake would happen if Miss Thurston resigned. At present she was in England, and nobody knew when she would return, if she did return. All that Dr Fox and Miss Muir wanted to know was whether Miss Thurston was going to come back. If not, Miss Muir should be appointed permanently to a position in which she had given as great satisfaction as Miss Thurston. Mrs Christie remarked that Miss Muir did not want to know.

Mr Cooper said that lie was glad of the correction, but Dr Fox did want to know.

Mr S. Andrew spoke in support of Mr Cooper’s view. Mr H. J. Otley said that the hoard had no power to go back on its contract with Miss Thurston during th'o period of the war. _ He asked that the minute on the subject should be read. Mrs Green said that the board was not now asked to break any contract, 'as Miss Thurston had only stayed a month in the position that she had obtained leave of absence to go to. The secretary (Mr W. S. Wharton) read the - minute, which showed that Miss Thurston had applied for leave to take un the matronship of the New Zealand Military Hospital at Walton-on-Thames, and leave of absence had been granted for that purpose. Mr Otley said that he was prepared to see that no pecuniary loss occurred to the present matron, but sacrifices were being made on every hand. Mr F. Horrell, the chairman, said that Miss Thurston was go!ting a bigger salary than the board ever paid her, plus travelling expenses, so that there was no financial sacrifice. M'r Sorensen sa d he was bound to say that Miss Muir had made no application of any kind for a variation of the arrangements she entered into, and she had stood by them loyally. But the fact that Miss Thurston had been promoted was no argument. The proposal to delete the clause from the report was rejected by 12 votes to 5. The repodrt was adopted.