THE COUNTRY'S CALL.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume V, Issue 1491, 22 November 1918, Page 5

THE COUNTRY'S CALL.

TRAINED NURSES NEEDED. There has been a little response to the urgent call for trained nurses for the country districts, especially for North Canterbury, where several doctors are amongst the sufferers from the disease, but many more nurses are needed. Mr W.'S. Wharton, secretary of the North Canterbury Hospital and Charitable Aid Board, stated this morning that he had obtained an extra nurse for Kaiapoi. Another nurse had volunteered for duty at Rangiora, and another trained nurse had offered her services for any place to which she might be allotted, and she was going to Waikari. Mr Wharton added that he was endeavouring to get into touch with one or two others, but it was very difficult. He was trying to obtain some who were engaged in private homes where their services were not really essential. The scarcity of nurses is occasioning much anxiety. Mr Wharton appeals to all who can do so to come forward. "We don't want them to be in nonessential work," he said. "Acute cases must be the first consideration. Such cases demand the care of a nurse who knows exactly what to do, espeeially where no medical assistance is available."

With regard to the call for nurses generally, Mr Wharton pointed out that anyone who has had any hospital experience, even if non-certificated, is of considerable value in such a crisis. There are many girls who go partly through a course of training in nursing, and then leave to got married or to enter another occupation. Such people could give a great amount of help. THE PUBLIC SERVICES. There is nothing fresh to report of the public services to-day, but a general feeling of confidence that the worst has passed. The Chief Post Office is another man short, and the sub-offices, too, arc one officer worse off than they were yesterday. From reports received it is clear that the big majority of the sufferers are well on the road to recovery, and if it were not for the fact that the Chief Postmaster insists on at least, seven days' clear convalescence after all perceptible symptoms have vanished, there would already be several officers back at work. Some indeed have relumed and been sent home again. But the indication 1 - are that by the middle, or at the latest by the end of next week, it will be possible to re. some daily delivery again, even out in the suburbs.

In the Telegraph Office, too, the position is no worse as regards actual figures, as reports of new cases of infection have almost ceased, the position promises well. In the Railway Department there are no fresh absentees to-day, ami already some men have resumed duty.

Unless something unforeseen happens, there is no reason to fear that the tramway service will be further disturbed. There is an additional member of the traffic staff absent to-day, and a circular has been sent to all sufferers, warning them not to return until 14 clear days after the onset of the attack in each case. Two men already have resumed duty.