HOSPITAL SECRETARY.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 57, Issue 245, 28 July 1937, Page 4

HOSPITAL SECRETARY.

APPOINTMENT TO POSITION.

ATTITUDE OF THE DEPARTMENT.

(Per Press Association.)

CHRISTCHURCH, This Day.

When Mr W. S. Wharton (secretary of the North Canterbury Hospital Board) announced that he wished to retire at the end of this year, the Board decided to appoint Mr W. A. Gudgeon, its accountant, to the position, reviewing the appointment after six months. At the time of the decision the Board’s Finance Committee expressed the opinion that the position should be advertised.

This morning Mr Wharton told the Board that the Department of Health, on being notified of the manner of the appointment, had asked whether the Board wished for exemption from the regulation which provided that important positions on the hospital staff should be advertised. Mr Wharton wrote amplifying his first letter and asking for exemption to cover the case. In reply, the Department recommended that the Board should reconsider the appointment and advertise the position in the regulation way. With a body responsible for such a wide organisation as the North Canterbury Hospital Board, said the letter, it was absolutely necessary to be sure the best man available obtained the position. It was quite possible that Mr Gudgeon was the best man available, but the Board could not be certain unless the position were advertised. It was decided to advertise the position. .