CHRISTCHURCH NEWS.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXV, Issue 17944, 1 May 1928, Page 10

CHRISTCHURCH NEWS.

(From Our Own Correspondent.) ' CHRISTCHURCH, April 30. HOSPITAL STAFFS. There seems to be an impression ; amongst Christchurch doctors that a complete change in public hospitals from honorary stalls to stipendiary staffs is inevitable. Several doctors state that Dr W. Fox, medical superintendent of Christchurch Hospital, might bo quite right in a way in stating that most members of the profession will regard the day when the profession is fully commercialised as a sorry day, but they ! agree that there is a decided Guidency iu that direction. Some of the elder doctors blame the commercial spirit amongst younger doctors, a spirit manifested amongst young men in many other vocations. A more definite, opinion expressed by one of the old school, is that a. section of the public, and “local and geheial politicians,” have brought to a climax the movement that Dr fox- deplores. This doctor states that the demand for commercialisation of hospital staffs is a result of many abuses in cases vheie doctors, through the hospital, give free service to the poor. These abuses, he is < i nfi ent, have destiayed the good feeling between doctors and poor people. He partly blames the local and ' general politicians .for asserting that everybody has a rigei to enter the hospital, and inducing people who can pay to.get free services under false pretences. “The resentment of doctors,” he said, “is so great that their work at the public hospitals is not done with the zest- and joy of the past. Tf tho public were honest v. ith the profession, and if only those who could not afford to pay were cdi.fitted to public hospitals, those who need tho very best services, hut ’have no reserves to fall back upon and no hope of any. would have the most careful attention of tho finest members of the profession. The public as a rule, will never have the best services from salaried c!<'< v..rg at the hospitals. One n- tw > salaried doctors whose lives are consecrated to their work will give their best sei-vices hut tho majority, I am sure, will give just the measure of service necessary to keep their jobs. COATS AND UMBRELLAS. Wintry conditions prevailed in the city to-day, a steady easterly cnzzle setting in early this’ nnrning. The chances of the weather closmim do not look promising. People seem to be quito prepared for adverse conditions now, and heavy, coats and umbrellas were much'in evidence. It is reported that the level of the Waimakariri river is only a few irehes above normal.. ART GALLERY SITE. In deference to tne wsims of Mr R. E. McDougall, the group of business men who were interesting themselves in the purchase of a central site for a new art gallery, decided to take no further action in the matter.' This morning a sub-committee was set up by l the Jubilee Memorial Committee and discussed the hiatter privately with the Mavor and Mr McDougall.- ■ They "will submit a report regal ding the matter, at a meeting of Ihe Memorial Committee to-morrow afternoon. ' THE FERRY SERVICE. The Union Company’s ferry steamers Maori and Wahine will be withdrawn from the Lyttelton—Wellington service in rotation, commencing May 23rd. Both vessels will be relieved by the Mnheno, well-known on the intercolonial run between Sydney and New ' Zealand. • SCARLET FEVER EPIDEAIIC. The total number of persons r.cw being treated for scarlet lever in ,the infectious disease hospital at Burwood is 197, which is ten greater than at any other period of this year. One hundred and ninety-nine cases are accommodated at the hospital, two being diphtheria cases. That four months of the present year have seen as many cases of scarlet fever as the average for twelve months of all years for a. lime past, was a statement made to-day by Dr Telford, Health Officer.

CHRISTCHURCH SOUTH SEAT. There is said to be a possibility that the Christchurch South Parliamentary seat will be contested by Mr M. E. Lyons, who ran Mr J. McCombs, M.F., very close for the Lyttelton sent at last election, and was defeated on a recount of votes. Mr Lyons stated that he had been approached on several occasions to contest Christchurch South, but at- present he did not wish to make any statement. As to -his intentions regarding the possibility of his contesting the Lytt • on seat again, Mr Lyons said that he had not yet communicated his intentions to the Lyttelton people.

COLLEGE REGISTRAR. The Board of Governors of Canterbury College appointed Mr O. C Kemp to the position of Registrar, in succession to the late Mr L. A. Stringer. Mr Kemp has been accountant for some years, and is highly esteemed by Board members. MAYOR .BECOMES MOTORIST. The Mayor (Rev. J. K. Archer) Ims purchased a motor car, and is now qualifying for a driver’s license. He was out to-day with one of the traffic

inspectors, being put through the intricacies of steering'and reversing. AVIATION. Captain Findlay, of Wigram Aerodrome, will fly a DHSO aeroplane to Invercargill about May 13. He lias just returned from a visit, during which he investigated the possibilities of an aerial survey of the Southern Lakes district.