STRATFORD NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, 13 May 1925, Page 9

STRATFORD NEWS.

THE PUBLIC HOSPITAL. MEETING OF BOARD. (From Our Own Reporter.) Stratford, May 12. The first meeting of the new Stratford Hospital Board was held to-day. Present: Messrs C. D. Sole (chairman), VV. L. Kennedy, J. O’Neill, E. S. Rutherford, E. Marfell, J. T. Belcher and W. H. Were. An apology for absence was received from Mr. G. P. Harkness. Prior to the commencement of business the chairman welcomed Mr. Rutherfurd and trusted he would experience a pleasant time during his term on the board. The medical superintendent (Dr. D. Steven) reported that 33 patients were admitted, during April, 36 were discharged and there was one death. Thirtythree remained in hospital at the end of the month. Sixteen operations were performed under anaesthetics. In the maternity ward there were ten admissions and seven births. Three patients remained in the isolation ward, three were admitted and three were discharged. There were two outpatient attendances. Sister N. J. Ross (acting-matron) reported that Nurse Joyce Flint returned from annual leave on April 27. Nurse D. Emden commenced duties in the maternity ward on May I. The resignation of Sister Jessie Tomlinson, who intends taking midwifery training, was forwarded. Sister Mildred Yorke, at present relieving at the maternity ward, was recommended for the vacancy, and would, if appointed, accept the position temporarily. District Nurse Myers reported having visited fourteen medical and surgical eases during the month. The reports were adopted. The following report was presented by the chairman: “During the past three or four months reports have been industriously circulated with the intention of damaging the high prestige of the annex, and it >was somewhat difficult to trace the origin. Strange as it may seem the busiest of the gossips have never been patients of any maternity home, and are never likely to be. The statements made are mere idle, untruthful gossip. I want right here to publicly state that in all cases where humanly possible the medical superintendent attends, and will continue to personally attend, any woman in the home. If, in his opinion, patient’s require chloroform, twilight sleep or any other treatment it will be given. I trust in the future patients will kindly consult the matron or sis ter-in-charge, and they will find that the policy adopted by the board at the opening of the ward is to be continued.” Mr. Rutherfurd said he had heard it said that Dr. Steven had only attended five cases out of the last 24. He considered a clause should be attached to the chairman’s statement denying the imputation. The chairman said the gossip was absolutely untrue. The statement was approved. GENERAL. The chairman was appointed to represent the board at the hospital boards’ conference in Auckland. The chairman announced that Mr. W. L. Kennedy intended to visit Wellington to-morrow, and he was appointed the board’s official representative at the funeral of the Rt. Hon. W. F. Massey on Thursday. It was decided to approve of the amount of £650 per annum as provided for in the estimates, being given a.s a flat salary to the medical superintendent. Mr. Marfell mentioned the possible case of an accident being brought into hospital when the medical superintendent was attending a private case some distance wway. An outside doctor would then have to be called in, and he thought some understanding should be arrived at whereby the medical superintendent should personally meet the other doctor’s fees. Mr. Kennedy and others agreed, and the chairman said he would mention the matter to Dr. Steven and report later. A compliment to the medical superintendent (Dr. D. Steven) was paid by the chairman who referred to the wonderfully successful results of his treatment of cases of infantile paralysis during the epidemic. At present there was only one case in the isolation ward. Another case had been sent away for further treatment, and he did not think there would be any serious after-effects in any of the surviving cases treated There had been ten cases of infantile paralysis and only two had died. These had been advanced cases.* Messrs Kennedy and Rutherfurd were appointed the visiting committee for the ensuing month. The annual balance-sheet was adopted without discussion. HGSTEL FOR GIRLS. TECHNICAL HIGH SCHOOL. MOVE BY LADIES. Realising the urgent need for a hostel for girls in connection with the Stratford Technical High School, a large number of the ladies of the town gathered in the Municipal Chambers this afternoon to discuss ways and means of setting a movement on foot which would provide funds for -such a hostel. The ’’Mayor (Mr. J. W. McMillan) presided. The Mayor said the proposal was worthy of serious consideration, and he hoped some decisive step would, be taken as a result of the meeting. Mr. A. H. R. Amess (director of., the school) said it was almost essential for the school to have a hostel for girls attached to it. They had about 25 girls boarding in the town, and those present could easily imagine the difficulties of finding suitable accommodation. Looking at the proposal from all directions he contended it would be very . much better if the board could house the girls under proper supervision in a school hostel. A sub-committee from the board had considered the matter and they thought the best way of raising funds

i as a first step would be the holding of a big bazaar and sale of work. It was suggested that the ladies could form themselves into sub-committees to look after the various stalls. He suggested that the bazaar should be held about the middle of August, and if sufficient energy was put into the work a fair sum could doubtless be raised. Mr. Amess went on to refer to the successful effort recently, carried through at Inglewood, a smaller town than Stratford, where such a bazaar had. produced over £2OOO. He pointed out that money so raised would be subject to a £1 for £1 subsidy. PUBLIC SUPPORT NECESSARY. Mr. H. Trimble (chairman of the board) said the school had got to the stage where a hostel for girls was desirable. If the people of Stratford could raise a sum he thought they could get a hostel established. They could rent a suitable house, but unless they could go to the department and show that an effort had really been made they could expect little help from the department. Mr. R. Masters, MJ?., said that in going round tlz. country he was struck by the number of children who might avail themselves of a good .secondary education if their parents could be assured of a good home and careful supervision near the school. The question of building a hostel was a big one, and it had occurred to him that perhaps it would be batter to concentrate upon raising a fund, to furnish a rented house. If they could furnish such a house they could show the department that a hostel in Stratford was justified. He pointed out that technical schools had no endowments to pledge and would have to depend upon the support of the public. Mrs. M. Phillips also- spoke in support of the proposal, and advocated the establishment of a boarding-house for boys. Mr. Trimble said the New Plymouth girls’ hostel had started in a very small way and all the assistance received from the department was by way of the payment of rent. Even at the present time the girl 'boarders at the New Plymouth High School lived in a rented house. The Mayor said all appeared quite unanimous that a hostel was needed. He stressed the need for a boys’ board-ing-house also, and referred to the number of people, in Stratford, who sent their children to some other centre so that they might enjoy the advantages of boarding-school life. He did not think the school would ever be the success it ought to be until a boys’ hostel was provided. COMMITTEE APPOINTED. On the motion of Mrs. Hardy-Jones it was decided to adopt the proposal of the board, and that all present form themselves into a general committee to further the obpett. - The following officials and heads of stalls were then elected:—Official chairwoman, Mrs. J. W. McMillan; deputychairwoman, Mrs. Hardy Jones; cake stall, Mrs. gangster; tea rooms, Mrs. Uris. Moore; flower stall, Mrs. R. Masters; sweets stall, Mrs. McDowell; art stall Mrs. F. Bowler; needlework, Mrs. Hickson; apron handkerchief and d’oyley stall, Mrs. C. D. Sole; woodwork, Mr. Saunders; bookstall, Mrs. A. E. Copping. The old boys and old girls of the school will also be asked to assist, and it was thought the produce stall might be managed by the old boys. Another meeting is to be held next week, at which the heads of stalls and their assistants will formulate details of the campaign. Meanwhile, the Progress League, Chamber of Commerce and Borough Council are to be asked to assist in the project. Parents of school children will also be circularised.

PERSONAL. The following resolution of sympathy with Mrs. W. F. Massey was carried at to-day’s meeting of the Stratford Hospital Board: “The Stratford Hospital Board desire to convey to Mrs. Massey and family their sincere sympathy in the loss they have sustained by the untimely death of the Rt. Hon. W. F. Massey, also to the great loss to the Dominion in the death of such an outstanding man. He was universally respected by all, and has made history for our country during the strenuous years he held the high office of Prime Minister of New Zealand. At all times he carried out his work with credit to himself and added lustre to the Dominion.” At the meeting of the Stratford Hospital Board to-day the resignation of Sister J. A. Tomlinson was accepted, and it was reported that Sister Mildred Yorke had been temporarily appointed to the vacancy. Mr. and Mrs. R. Peebles left by the mail train this morning, en route for Thames. There were a number of friends and well-wishers at the station to bid them good-'bye, and they were given a cordial send-off. Mr. G. H. Morrish, who succeeds Mr. Peebles as postmaster, arrived from Dargaville last night, accompanied by Mrs. Morrish and their son. Mrs. T. Piercy, of Georgetown, Invercargill, is the guest of Mrs. Stinson, Stratford. In connection with the services on Thursday the Stratford Citizen*’ Band will play a programme of suitable music in Victoria Park. At the March examinations held in Edinburgh, both Dr. W. P. P. "Gordon and Dr. Doris Gordon sat for and obtained the degree of Fellow of the Royal I College of Surgeons, Edinburgh. In doI ing this these two Stratford practitioners have established a unique record in that it is the first time in the history of the Royal College that husband and wife have sat for this examination together. Dr. VV. P. P. Gordon took as his .speciality operative surgery, whilst Dr. Doris Gordon (who is the first woman in Australia or New Zealand to hold this degree) took as her alternative subject advanced midwifery. In, this she gained special distinction and in aggregate marks tied with Dr. Averill (son of the Primate of New Zealand) for second place in order of merit among over 60 male candidates from various parts of the Empire. Dr. Doris Gordon is now visiting the leading obstetrical hospitals in Europe, and is at present in Vienna investigating maternal welfare work there.