MEDICAL SERVICE

New Zealand Herald, Volume 81, Issue 24785, 7 January 1944, Page 4

MEDICAL SERVICE

DIFFICULTIES AT NIGHT COMMENT BY THE CORONER "This is by no means > the first case in which distressed relatives have tried frantically and unsuccessfully to obtain medical aid at night," said the coroner, Mr. F. K. Hunt, at the inquest yesl terday into the death of Mr. Leonard Graham Fincham, aged 54, labourer of 105 Franklin Road.

_ "1 suggest that the Auckland Hospb»l Board should reconsider its decision not to allow members of the staff, or at least the younger members, to attend outside calls, particularly at night," the coroner continued. "I understand that the young men are willing, in fact anxious, to do so. Besides being good experience for them, they could be paid for it.' J Mr. Hunt did not suggest that the earlier calling of medical attention in this particular case would have materially altered the' conclusion, but, he added, it mav have.

The evidence showed that deceased had an attack of severe pains in the chest on Wednesday night. He went to bed, but the pains increased in severity. Apparently his wife attempted to obtain medical attention, said Mr. Hunt, and finally called her son, who lived near bv.

The son, E. A. Fincham, said he endeavoured to call at doctor at about 7 o'clock yesterday morning. After repeated attempts, he drove his father to the Auckland Hospital in a motorcar at about 8 o'clock. On arrival at the casualty department he was told that his father was dead.

"The medical profession is labouring under a great disadvantage," said Mr. Hunt. Deducting those doctors who were purely surgeons and those who were on active service, there were few enough left to attend to the needs of the public. These few were in most cases attempting to carry on the work of two doctors.

"The public is entitled to medical service, and it is high time the question • of night medical services in particular was faced up to," .Mr. Hunt concluded. "The only solution I can see at the moment is the altering of the hospital board's decision." The inquest was adjourned.

REPATRIATED PRISONERS

SICK AND WOUNDED MEN RETURN FROM MIDDLE EAST (P.A.) WELLINGTON. 'Thursday Repatriated New Zealand prisoners of war from Italy, including some who escaped after the invasion by the Allied forces, were among a draft' which returned recently to New Zealand. All were in good health and pleased to be home. Welcoming them, the Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon. P. Fraser, expressed his gratitude to those m6n on land and sea and in the air who had done so much for our cause, and hoped the members of the draft would soon be restored to complete health. The following sick, wounded and other personnel from the. Auckland Province have recently returned to New Zealand from the Middle East: — Captain J. L. Rayner (Pahia). Private Audrev Dorothy Catrhpole (Auckland), Private Aileen May "Walker (Papatoetoe), Lieu-tenant-Colonel G. D. Pollock. M.B.E. (Auckland).

The following repatriated prisoners of war of the Auckland Province returned with the draft, the rank Being private unless otherwise stated:—

Corporal A. C. Barker (Auckland}. Sergeant 6. K. Boxail (Waibi), C. D. Cavill (Dargaville), I. M. Oourteney (Whangarei), H, R. Craig (Rotorua), B. S. Cromwell (Auck. land), L. W. Dahm (Whakatane), J. R. Duffy (iforrinsville). Gunner H. J. Holmes <Fra"iikion), E. P. J. Karup (Auckland), Gunner S. C. Manson (Frankton), G. W. Powell (Papakura), Corporal J. Pullen (Darsaville), P.. Urlich (Whangaroa), M. Walsh (Ruaioria), A. V. Warner (Te Awarmitu).

FIVE GENERATIONS

OLD AUCKLAND FAMILY Five generations, all born in Auckland, are represented by Mr. and Mrs. Andrew McEwan, 'of 4.3 Seafield View Road, Grafton, and their descendants. Mr. and Mrs. McEwan are aged 94 and 85 respectively, and are still in excellent health. Neither had had a day's illness until the end of last year, when Mrs. McEwan had a slight attack of bronchitis, which confined her to the house over Christmas. A photograph taken recently shows one member of each of the five generations. It portrays Mrs. McEwan: her eldest child, Mr. Andrew McEwan, junior; a granddaughter, Mrs. Molloy; a great-granddaughter and great-great-grandson. aged 18 months. Mr. McEwan's parents arrived in New Zealand in 1542, and both be and Mrs. McEwan were born in Albert Street. They were married in Auckland fi7 years ago. Mr. McEwan worked for five years for Alfred Buckland ■ and Sorts, Limited, and for 25- years for Hesketh and Aitken, graiii merchants. When he retired at. the age of 82 he was employed by the Lion Brewery. There were originally seven children, of whom five are still living. There are nine grandchildren, six groat-grand-children. and one great-great-grandson.

OBITUARY

MR. E. M. METCALFE (0.c.) HAMILTON". Thursday The death has occurred of .Mr. Ernest Morel! Metcalfe. of Mission Bay, aged 69. -Mr. Metcalfe was born in England and came to New Zealand as a young man. He represented a large mercantile firm in Whangarei and came to the Waikato 20 years ago. After farming near Te Awamutu for a few years, he conducted a land agency in 'Hamilton until his retirement three years ago. Mr. Metcalfe is survived by his wife.

MR. A. J. NEWTON (0.C.) HAMILTON, Thursday The death has occurred of Mr. Arthiir John Newton, of Raglan, aged 73. Mr. Newton was born irt Auckland and came to Hamilton 27 years ago. He carried on business as a wheelwright. In his youth he was a champion weight-lifter and was a life-member of the J)ruids' Lodge. Mr. Newton is survived by his wife and a family of three.

MENTION IN DESPATCHES (P.A.) WELLINGTON. -Thursday . The Minister of Defence, the Hon, F. Jones, has been advised by the Admiralty that His Majesty the King has approved of the following New Year mention in despatches: TemporaryLieutenant Thomas Keith .Murdoch Markwiek. R.X.Z.X.Y.R., of Auckland. He joined the Royal New Zealand Navy as an ordinary seaman under scheine B in December, 1940, and was commissioned in December. 1911. .