EPIDEMIC WORKERS

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVII, Issue 18143, 8 July 1919, Page 5

EPIDEMIC WORKERS

APPEAL TO CITY COUNCIL,

BY NURSE MAUDE ASSOCIATION

The secretary of the Nurse Maude Association wrote placing befqro the City Council last evening certain facts in connection with the association’s work. “At the time that tiie epidemic of iniluenza was raging in our city, tlio letter ran, “it was lound tnat the stall of uioirict nurses was quite inauoquato to cope witli tile situation oven witiiiii tlio city oounuanes, lint tnat their expert knowiougo was invaluaoie in directing xay Helpers to (any on tuo woik oi attending tno sick. A deputation of citizens, who Hud become prominent in organising help waited on tno late council to ascertain whether they would lie inclined to make a grant to tno isurse -uauno Association lor the purpose oi providing two or turee more nurses lor the district. The deputation mot with a courteous and sympathetic -hearing, and the members or tho council then in ohice were disposed to lavourably consider the suggestion, and promised to recommend it to tne members of tlio incoming council.” The Mayor said tnat this was a most important letter, handed on to them to recognise Nurse iUaude’s good work. He had been asked that the association should bo given .t'iiUO tor two extra nurses to work on the occasion of any epidemic. Tno symptoms were that they might have a sugnt recrudescence in the coining spring, lie would move that- the sum of £SUO should be granted to Nurse lUaudo to assist in coping with any epidemic that might colmoCouncillor Armstrong seconded tho motion. • In answer to a question, tho Mayor said the grant would boa" yearly one. Councillor' Fleslier said the grant opened up a most serious situation, lie thought the matter was more ono for consideration by the Hospital Board, to whom they paid a big levy. He thought tho matter could bo referred to the Finance CommitteeBeanland said that what Councillor Flesher had said was no doubt quite correct, the matter had not been considered by the old council. If the question bad then been brought up four nurses would have been provided for. It was opening up also tlio appointment of women inspectors. Councillor Williams said that many councillors apparently felt that tho time had arrived for the appointment of female inspectors. Cbuncillor Sullivan held that if the application was referred to tho Hospital Board, probably nothing would be done. The city was under a deep debt of gratitude to Nurse Maude. The council had voted £2OOO to go up in fireworks— A Voice: Not this council.

Councillor Sullivan: I take it that the council never goes out of office. I am going to point out these inconsistencies every time I have the opportunity. The motion was carried without any dissentient-