LOUISA ROBERTS HOSPITAL

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18877, 1 June 1923, Page 8

LOUISA ROBERTS HOSPITAL

ELECTION OF COMMITTEE. A meeting which roused more than usual interest took place at the Agricultural and Pastoral Society's Hall at Middlemarch on Tuesday, the 29th irist., the occasion being the election of the local co-optative members of the "Louisa Roberts'? • Hospital, Uiese members forming-in. the ' main part the working committee ensuing two years. • . , The chairmen of the Otago- Hospital Board and the Finance Committee (Messrs Knight and Quelch), with Sir Scurr (member) and the secretary, proceeded to Middlemarch for the purpose of conducting the meeting, and over 200 people were in attendance. The chair was taken by the chairman of the board (Mr W. E. S. Knight), who thoroughly explained the object of the meeting, and a resolution Avas carried that the total number on the committee should consist of 10 (three of whom have already been elected—viz.: Mr Knight, chairman of tlie board; Mr A. F. Quelch, representing the district; and Mr W. • Blacky, chairman of the Taieri County Council), this leaving the meeting seven menVDers to elect. To thoroughly estimate the feelings in the district, rio fewer than 16 nominations were received. An opportunity was given to each candidate to address the meeting and express their views generally on" hospital matters.. All, including the two ladies nominated, took the platform in response to the meeting's" suggestion. Ballot papers were distributed, and the following was the result—viz;.; D. C. Kidd, 161; D. Matheson, .148; A. M'Kinnon, 142; A Robertson, 121; Mrs MtKinnon, 88; B. Cottrell, 87;'E..P. floenari, 85 (all elected). The various .'speakers expressed their aDpreciation of the work in the district by Dr Gunn (medical officer) and Mrs Paddock (matron of the hospital). A resolution was carried unanimously that notwithstanding the board's intimation to the previous committee the doctor should remain in residence' at the institution, it being felt that the best interests of the district were being served by the doctor living at the hospital in the existing circumstances ' ■ ; • At a subsequent meeting of the newlyelected committee. Mr M'Kinnon was unanimously re-elected chairman. The party returned to Dunedjn the following day with the full conviction that the new committee would work for the good of the hospital and the district.