THE RESIGNATION OF LIEUTENANTCOLONEL HERBERT.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 17533, 27 January 1919, Page 6

THE RESIGNATION OF LIEUTENANTCOLONEL HERBERT.

TO THE BDITOE. Sib, —A meeting of the patient® in the two hospitals at Botorua was recently addressed by a civilian patient of the Government on the subject of the resignation of Lieutenant-colonel Herbert, the Government balnealogist. He pointed out with considerable force and truth that Colonel Herbert's departure from Botorua would be nothing- short of a calamity for the people of New Zealand, because his knowledge of _ the curative powers of the waters here is unique, and also because nobody had been trained as his successor. It was further pointed out that unless Colonel Herbert could be persuaded to reconsider, or at least postpone his resignation until sofneone has been trained to take his place, his successor will be placed at a considerable disadvantage because this particular branch of the medical treatment for certain afflictions needs a specialised knowledge of the waters. The audience heartily agreed with all that the speakers said, and it was further pointed out that no matter how efficient a surgeon or physician Colonel Herbert's successor might be, he must of necessity be somewhat of an experimentalist, unless he is trained by the one .man in New Zealand who is generally recognised to have made the properties of these waters his own particular study. As a result of this meeting, a committee was elected for the purpose of trying to persuade Colonel Herbert to reconsider his resignation. Tho committee has decided that the best way to attain this end would be to show Colonel Herbert that his departure at the present time would be regarded as something resembling a calamity by those who have had the good fortune to receive treatment at his hands. It has therefore been decided to draw up a petition to Colonel Herbert asking him to withdraw his / resignation at least temporarily, and to ask the many people in various parts of the dominion who have had experience of his_ efficient and courteous treatment to assist it in its effort by signing that petition. There must be thousands of people who have benefited personally by the treatment at Rotorua, and thousands more who have •seen their relations and friends restored to health by it, to say nothing of the hundreds of returned soldiers who have regained the use of injured limbs while undergoing treatment here. Wo feel certain that when these people hear of Colonel Herbert's intended departure they will realise what a mistake it will be not to make an effort to try and persuade him to stay in the dominion.

The committee has reason to believe that if sufficient public opinion can be brought to bear on him, Colonel Herbert will be prepared to withdraw his resignation. Copies of the petition are being forwarded to all oarts of the dominion, but anybody who is interested in the matter or is willing to be so good as to undertake the collection of signatures in their particular district can obtain further information by cormrrcmicating with either of us at the undermentioned address.—We are etc

A'. Lindsay, Oscar Nekqham, Joint Secretaries, Rotorua, January JUL