HOSPITAL BOARD’S CONFERENCE.

Otago Witness, Issue 3755, 2 March 1926, Page 75

HOSPITAL BOARD’S CONFERENCE.

About 130 people assembled in the Tudor Hall on Tuesday night, when a conversazione was held in honour of the visiting delegates to the Conference of the Hospital Boards’ Association, their wives, and friends. The gathering included a number of leading citizens. Mr P. W. Knight (chairman of the Otago Hospital Board) presided. The func-

tion was a complete success in every way. The setting in the spacious hall was a beautiful one, and the guests were provided with a delightful supper. The Chairman stated that as the Hon. J. A. Young had to leave early in order to attend another function he would call on the Minister to say a few words at that stage. The Hon. Mr Young said this was a very happy gathering, and it was delightful to know that such institutions as hospital boards could find time to devote to a gathering of a social character. The general

impression was that the work was of a rather dry nature. He thought the Dunedin Board was to be congratulated on affording the delegates from far and near an opportunity of meeting each other in this charming city. He was very pleased to be present. Hi 9 fhst association with Dunedin went back a little more than 30 years, when he was a student in connection with the profession which he had since followed. That night he had the honour of represent mg the Government in his new and 1m portant office of Minister of Health —(Applause.) He had very pleasant recollections of his visits to Dunedin. The Government official at the Exhibition had arranged a little function for Sir Frank Heath, who had come to the country at the invitation of the Government in connection with industrial research and the most important and allied subject of jttedical research, in which the hospital boards were much interested. He regretted that he could not remain until the finish. He trusted they would have a happy time and that the friendships made and the interesting visits they would make from time to time to the Exhibition—because there was much to -ooe and learn there—would make them feel that they bad a warm place in their hearts for Dunedin and its people. Ivlr Knight proceeded to extend a very sincere and hearty welcome to all present. It was a thoroughly representative gathering of delegates, representing practically every hospital board in New Zealand, together with their good ladies and quite a number of lady friends. The Otago Hospital Board was very pleased to "see the ladies present. They were greatly honoured by the presence of Dr MacEacheni, of Chicago, who was associate director of the American College of Surgeons, and also by the presence of Sir Lindo Ferguson and Lady Ferguson. Sir Lindo, who was Dean of the Medical Faculty, was present as one of the representatives of the British Medical Association. There were quite a number present, he understood, who had not visited Dunediu previously, and to those he wished to extend even a greater welcome than to those who had visited our lovely city at different times. Mr Wallace, the worthy president of the Hospital Boards' Association, was making his first visit to Dunedin, and they were very proud to have him with them. Mr Wallace was unanimously elected as the first president of the association. The speaker went on to say that be had found it delightful to have such a lovely place as Dunedin on the map. They were in Auckland for a week at the end of May or the beginning of June, and they had six days’ rain, so he did not think the visitors could complain if they *ot a little wet weather in Dunedin—(laughter),— though they might complain that our temperature was something they were not accustomed to. The Mayor (Mr H. L. Tapley, M.P.) extended a very warm welcome to the delegates to the conference. He had a very friendly regard for hospital boards, because he was a member of the Dunedin Board some years ago, and lie had a fair knowledge of the splendid "work the boards were carrying out'throughout New Zealand. They appreciated very much the fact that the conference was being held in Dunedin during the Exhibition period. Many conferences were being held here, but that of the hospital boards was not the least valuable. It was a most valuable conference because the delegates were going to consider various problems with which the hospital boards were faced. There was one matter which he would like them to discuss, and that was the question of direct representation of the public bodies on the hospital boards. He thought that tlie Dunedin City Council contributed £25.000 towards the upkeep of the board, and it seemed to him that when it was making such a contribution it should have direct representation on the board. He was sure the matters to be discussed at the conference would be full of interest, and that the result of the deliberations would be for the public weal. In the course of a happy speech Mr Wallace acknowledged the welcome to the visitors. He said they got credit In the north for boosting Auckland, but when they came here it seemed to be a case of boosting Dunedin. This was a lovely city, and they all admired it. Mr Knight had referred to the bad weather in Auckland, but he had n ,_ *t referred to their beautiful harbour. — (Laughter.) He thought it was fair to expect winter weather in June, but when they rame to Dunedin and got winter weather In the summer he thought Auckland had the best end of the stick.—(Laughter.) In conclusion, he thanked them sincerely for the cordial welcome and tho pleasant evening* During the evening two recitations were given by Miss Knight, two songs by the Idlers’ Quartet, and songs by Messrs Angell and Scott. The proceedings were concluded with tbe singing of the National Anthem.