WELLINGTON NOTES

Otago Daily Times, Issue 17825, 6 January 1920, Page 5

WELLINGTON NOTES

(FBOM Oi;n OWN CoitaEaroNipsHT) WELLINGTON, January 5. Tho men. on board I lie ilimutalia. disombaxked here to-day after an uneventlul voyage. A good deal cf educational work was done on tho voyage. The captain was presented with an illuminated address. Saturday's tram accident lias called attention'to the necessity for a medical examination ot motormen, to see that they aro organically eouiid. Tho overcrowding of the Wellington trains is also a matter requiring attention, 'iho shortage of roiling stock is, no doiibtv tho cause, and that was inevitable owing to the necessity for limiting building during tho war. It is no very uncommon eight nowadays to see every Beat in a Wellington tranieur occupied, and as many as from 30 to 40 passengers straphanging. The overcrowding would prevent the conductor from going to tho assistance of tho motorman in tho event of anything happening to him, wlule tho added weight must be a source of danger should the brakes fail to act on an incline. Allison and Gray, the Otago University representatives, have been showing wry consistent form in the Wellington provincial lawn tennis tournament. There were many dcfa/ulfs in some of the events owing to the players having entered for so many events. Allison, who hud a very good eiianeo ot winning, tcratahed lor ttie Handicap Singles, as ho no doubt preferred to try ior the championship in the Men's Doubles. The defaults were so many that one couple got into the final after having played only one match. Tho visit of Beamish and Lowe, the English players, to Auckland, Wellington, and Christchwrch after tho Davis Cup contest should do something towards an improvement in New Zealand lawn tennis. There is still trouble over postal matter for the two New Zealand Palmeretons, and it seems a pity that one of the names cannot be changed. All mail matter addressed Palmorston is eont to Plalmerston, Otago. Letters meant for tho other town should be addressed clearly, "Palmerston North." Dr and Mrs Truby King have returned 1 to New Zealand. TSie doctor has, d'uring his absence from Iho dominion, done a lot of work in connection with ohilcl welfare in the United Kingdom and elsewhere. Referring to his work in England, Dr King states that the London institution for the care of mothers and' children proved as great a success as the Karitane Hospital.' Up to the time of departure, about 12 babies, and half that number of mothers, had been resident in the hospital, and only one death occurred. This result Dr King' attributes mainlv to the devoted work of Miss Patrick, who for many years -was matron-in-ohargo of the Karitane Hospital before leaving New Zealand on military duties, and who was in charge of the London institution from tho outset. Mrs Patriok got together an admirablo staff from tho lending hospitals of London and the provinces, a 9 well as representatives from Canada, South Africa, Australia, and Now Zealand, the idea being to make the work, as widely representative as possible. There was an intimate relationship with St. Thomas Hospital, where Dr King lectured to students and nurees, and' where he did work in tho baby clinic ani maternity wards. The institution is now affiliated with St. Thomas's, and tho physician-in-oharge is a child specialist from there. The matron who succeeded Miss Patrick is also from St. Thomas's Mi?s Patrick intended to leave London for New ZeaJand about the New Year, travelling by way of America. Efforts were made to induce Miss Patrick to romajn in London, ibut she refined., as she wished to resume her connection with the Plunket Society in New Zealand.