ROUND ABOUT WELLINGTON.

Otago Witness, Issue 3803, 1 February 1927, Page 34

ROUND ABOUT WELLINGTON.

By Pencarrow. (Specially Written for the Witness.) January 24. “It is a crime to he ill,” says the distinguished surgeon Sir Arbuthnot Lane. As most of us have this “criminal instinct” we are feeling a trifle uneasy just How. It is all very well for Dunedin, but what about Us—with a capital letter, too. Considering the fact that influenza is raging on the other side of the world, the authorities are preparing for its possible arrival here, and half the local doctors with their wives and daughters appear to be contemplating an exod ; to Dunedin for the approaching Medical Conference. Some of -us gratefully acknowledge we shall feel like rudderless ships during their absence, yet no doubt we shall make use of our opportunities while the “cat” is away. It is a: ill wind which blows no good. The mice will play—they will nibble at forbidden fruits, and run outside the protective fences; but this seems to be Nature’s way of providing new motor cars as well as bread with butter for the noble army of doctors, all of whom seem to flourish. It looks as if we are a race of criminals, and as far back as 1847 those who directed the order of things in Wellington recognised the fact, arid prepared to deal with it.On September 15 in that year the Colonial Hospital was opened iu Pipitea street, with the Colonial Surgeon, Dr Fitzgerald, in command. From that small beginning great things have come, and the General Hospital in Wellington South is to-day one of the finest institutions in New Zealand. The medical superintendent, Dr D. Macdonald Wilson, on Anniversary Day supplied the 1 ening Post with a brief history of the hospital's life, and this has interested the community, which is surprised to hear that in the year 1847 in this distant outpost of the Empire Dr Fitzgerald used sulphuric ether when operating on the first Maori patient admitted to the hospital. As Dr Wilson mentions that it was only in the previous year the discovery of this anaesthetic was announced, and that it was used for the first time in Edinburgh by the great surgeon Syme in 1847, one feels moved to take off one’s hat to the memory of Dr Fitzgerald and ■the colleague who assisted him in the operation—which was successful. Wellington is only 85 years old —a mere child, very promising and quite modern. Like the illustrious Fitzgerald we keep ourselves up to date. We like to be in the van. We take pride in remembering that riot so long ago bullock drays and mobs of sheep passed along ■what is now our main street —and earlier still Maori war canoes were drawn up on “the beach”—but to-day we seal even

the back streets, and are aggrieved when our own little corner is left out of the.!, picture, pro tem. Being modern, we are not patient, yet we cherish sentiment. If ;< hot, why do we celebrate Anniversary Day, and why do we feel pensive with the passing of the old order? ./■ The New Zealand Times has erased firing after 52 years of active service. ; The colours were hauled down on An- 1 niversary Day, and the old Liberal organ , r is now merely a memory. How and why. this has happened would take too long'Jto tell. The Dominion has taken over U the business —lock, stock, and barrel—and : merged it with its own. Wellington now possesses the one morning paper and the one evening ditto, both wide awake. The > Dominion is building new premises. 'The' builders, sinking piles, have come across the remains of shipping, and as the site is * in the very heart of the city, one realises the march of progress is to quick music.

Doctors accuse us of one class of . “crime,” and parsons draw attention what they call “another.” Agreed wep have the gambling instinct, but life itself being a gamble there are some who re T . gard the instinct as a natural one—andy. not a crime. Anyhow Wellington has indulged in a three days’ race meeting, with a horse sale in the middle by way of variety, and pretty stiff prices paid at it. The attendance at the races was excellent. The “tote” has occupied the attention of the populace, including gay young things who have been splashing half-crowns with more or less success. The “inferiority complex” is one of those modish diseases which may be considered at the Medical Conference, and in connection with it the case of tho'. struggling journalist may be included, 1 ' Given the gambler's temperament with-. out the means to indulge it, how is tho . journalist to regard life from a proper angle, his pay being totally inadequate for what he considers his requirements. Tho public subscribes for the watersiders’ instruments, the State looks after the teeth, adenoids, morals, and general welfare or its children, the unions protect their own interests, and insist upon their rights. (Here in Wellington this week some seamen have actually taken upon themselves the right to eject their secretary, Mr W t T. Young). Every class voices its own’ interests, and expects the State this day to do its duty by subsidising pet hobbies, etc. —but who protects the journalist from that repressed feeling which is the inevitable result of a day at Trentham? This “inferiority complex” is a serious problem affecting the welfare of a very worthy section of the community. (Some people regard us as worthy). “Pencarrow” respectfully submits it for the consideration of the distinguished gathering which will enjoy Dunedin’s hospitality, and feels sure it will receive sympathetic attention. Something must be done —and soon—for we cannot live on the memory of Star Stranger’s win and the close finish of Limited and Paperchase, Benzora, and Mimetic in the Metropolitan Handicap brings no comfort to many.

There are women, too, who complain they have suffered from the “inferiority complex” all their lives, and they are only able to go to the races on one day of a meeting because they do not possess more than one new frock. Perhaps their particular point of view may be understood by some wise men. I confess it is beyond my comprehension, but I never professed to be a wise man.