MID-CANTERBURY.

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 18896, 11 January 1927, Page 5

MID-CANTERBURY.

ASHBURTON. PERSONAL. The Hon. Mr Xosworthy, Postmas-ter-General, who spent the Christmas and New Year holidays in Ashburtou, returned to Wellington last evening. - Dr. W. J. Mulliu, who has been in practice in Ashburtou for many years, leaves early in April to live in retirement in Dunedin. His resignation as assistant surgeon and anaesthetist, after ten years' service, at the Ashburton County Hospital, to take effect from March 31st, was received at the Hospital Board meeting yesterday. 'J he chairman (Mr F. W. Watt) said Dr. Mullin's resignation was a matter of great regret. His interest in the hospital at all times was just as marked as that of any of the lull-time members of their medical staff. He moved that the resignation Iw accepted with regret. In seconding tho motion, which was carried, Mr W. T. Lill also paid a tribute to the good work Dr. Mullin had done at tho hospital. The Rev. T. W. Potts, of Timaru, occupied the pulpit at the St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church on Sunday. Nurses C. Q. Wratten and V. Fox, who recently passed the final of the State examination, and Nurse B. It. Cattermole, who passed the medical and oral sections were congratulated upon their success at the Ashburtou Hospital Board meeting yesterday. The Rev. R. B. Tinsley leaves to-day to spend a fortnight's holiday at Arthur's Pass. Angling. Although there was abundance of fish and natural feed at the mouth of the Ashburtou river during the week-end, the luck experienced by the majority of anglers was rather disappointing. There were about 18 rods out, and several small fish were landed, the heaviest being about 51b Owing to the discoloured state of the Rangitata, very poor results were obtained at its mouth. A rather phenomenal catch was made by a local angler at the mouth of the Ashburton river on Thursday, when a 4jlb trout was landed, and on investigation it was found to contain no fewer than 51 "silveries." Tho fish wm well conditioned. Magistrate's Court. At the Magistrate's Court yesterday morning, before Mr W. W. White, J.P., George Humphreys, alias George Henry Humphreys, alias Henry John Humphreys, alias Gordon, aged 52 years, was charged with being found drunk in a public place. He was fined £2, in default three days' imprisonment, and given 14 days in which to pay the fine. Croquet. Advantage was taken of the large gathering of players on the Ashburton Croquet Club's lawjis "*on Saturday afternoon, to play progressive tournaments for prizes presented by Mrs John Lane. The senior trophy went to Miss Hosken with a score of 54,, and the junior prize wes won by Mrs D. Heenan, whose score was 55.

Visit of Inspection. A. visit of inspection to the Ashburton County Hospital was paid yestcc-; day by the chairman of the South Canterbury Hospital Board, the Rev. T. \V. PottG. At tho invitation of the chairman of the Ashburton Board (Mr I<\ W. Watt), Mr Potts attended the Board meeting, where he was accorded a welcome. Mr Watt said that they were pleased that Mr Potts had visited their institution. They were exceedingly impressed with the services he had rendered to the suffering of the community. They had evidence of this by the new building which was being constructed at the Waipiata Sanatorium, and of which Mr Potts was a strong advocate. The Ashburton Hospital Board was fortunate in thofc the County Council, which contributed aboat £12,000 annually towards its upkeep, had never yet questioned any of the expenditure in connexion with tho institution. Oil the other hand, the South Canterbury Board received levies from County Councils, who had looked askance at the expenditure in connexion with their hospital. So far as the Ashburton people were concerned, they' wanted to thank Mr Potts for the full and generous services lie was rendering in connexion with the Waipiata Sanatorium. In reply, Mr Pott 3 thanked them for the reception, stating that his hospital work had been of everlasting interest and importance. The work at Waipiata had been tho most important in which he had interested himself. Owing to the excellent climatic conditions, Waipiata was ideally situated for a sanatorium. Good progress was being made at the Sanatorium, and he hoped to seo it tho most extensive and best equipped sanatorium south of the Line. His relations with members of the Ashburton Hospital Board, particularly the chairman (Mr Watt) at the Sanatorium Committee meetings had always been the best. r 'l will very soon bo severing my connexion witli hospital matters, and I will always look back with pleasant recollections of the work I have done in connexion with hospitals," qoneluded Mr Potts. Hakatere Sports Club. At a meeting of the Hakatere Sports Club held on Saturday evening Mr A. Cates presided. The financial statement of tho annual sports meeting held o.i New Year's Day was presented, and showed receipts amounting to £92, and the expenditure to £33 3s, leaving a profit of £SB 17s. The meeting decided to erect a hall 30ft by 24ft, for the holding of social entertainments at the mouth of tlic Ashburton river, and to construct two chipped tennis courts. Estimates for the construction and installing of electric lighting to the huts were given by a representative of the Ashburton Power Board. Tho incoming committee was recommended to place scats along the river bank fronting the huts. The following committee was elected for the ensuing term: —Mcsdamcs B. E. Opic, J. Burrows, and Messrs P. CooUson, F. Crum. W. J. Dalley, A. Cates, A. Thomson, F. Thomas, and M. Knox, j Hospital Board. The Ashburton Hospital Board met vesterdav, there being present Messrs F. W. Watt (chairman). W. T. Lijl, W. Bryant, G. S. Hardy, W. G. Gallagher, A. Horse'v, and J. Bruce. The chairman of the Hospital Committee, Mr W. T. Li 11, reported that Miss N. L. Harrington commenced her duties as matron of the Methveu Maternitv Home on December 31st. On December 23rd there were only seven patients ill isolation, but since then 1- | diphtheria, cases had been admitted, and the total was now eighteen. 11l his report, the acting Medical Superintendent (Dr. W. J. Mullin) stated that during last month G3 patients were admitted U> tiie hospital, 112 were treat-

cd G2 discharged, having 50 at the end of the month. A total of 31 operations was performed, 270 massage treatments given, 217 out-patients treated, to X-ray examinations made, and -<0 bacteriological examinations made. The secretary reported that the following infectious disease eases were no-tihed-.—County Willowbv: 14 diphtheria a/Hl 1 scarlet fever; Borough: 1 scarlet lever, 2 tuberculosis, and 1 puerperal septicemia. The month commenced with a del(it of £59 gs 4d . £2281 I(Jg 4d had been received during the month, and payments amounted to £2063 Ss io l eavin S a credit balance of £I3S Us 3d on January Ist. Tiie Matron (Miss E. J. Watt) in her stated that Sister Tomlinson find Xurse Quealey were on annual leave. Xurse Wratten and Xurse Fox passed their final State examination, the former with honours. Xurse Cattermole passed in the medical and oral sections. Xurses Lucas and Gillespie had resigned. Xurses Wratten and Fox had also resigned and desired to take their maternity training. In her report, the Matron expressed her thanks to all who contributed to the Christmas comforts and wireless funds. She had over £133 but hoped that further sums would be forthcoming to bring the total to the vicinity of £2OO. The reports from the various homes stated that during the last, month 5 patients were admitted, 5 discharged, leaving 2 at Methven, 10 were admitted, 12 discharged, while 3 remained at Malvern and 4 were admitted, and 4 discharged, leaving 2 at Rakaia. The reports were received.

It was decided .to congratulate the Matron upon the efforts to raise money for the installation of a wireless set at the hospital. The Hospital Board's Association advised that at the forthcoming conference, an endeavour would be mado to formulate a uniform agreement acceptable by all Boards and Friendly Societies. The difference in the terms of agreements operating in tho various districts was an increasing source of difficulty in negotiations bctw-een an individual Board and the Friendly Societies in its distrct. The letter was received.

. Tho chairman said that they were approaching the end of their financial year and the time had arrived When they should consider obtaining the consent of the Health Department to the completion of the electrification scheme at the hospital as recommended by the Power Board engineer. There had been complaints from tho Board's engineer about the bad quality of the coal they were receiving, and as the installation of electricity in the Xurses' Home and the kitchen, the first part of the scheme, had proved a success, tho Department should be asked to sanction the remaind-

On the motion of the chairman, seconded by Mr Bryant, it was agreed that, in view of the Board's electrical experiment, the Department of Health be asked to sanction the completion of the electrification of the hospital services. Salvation Army Officers Honoured. A farewell was tendered to Ensign 6. H. Pratt and Mrs Pratt, who have been transferred to Petone, and Sister K. James, who has been transferred to Christehurch, all having been connected with the Salvation Army in Ashburton for the past two years. SergeantMajor J. Argyle presided. The Mayor (Mr R. Galbraith), who was the principal speaker, said the town was losing some of its-best friends in the departuro of the Army officers. "The residents of Ashburton hardly appreciate the work done in social welfaro by tho churches and Salvation Army," he said. Mr. Galbraith stated that they were greatly indebted to Ensign and Mrs Pratt and Sister James for the efforts in the direction of improving the social conditions in-the town, which was comparatively clear of crime. He paid a tribute to the Salvation Army band, and wished the officers every success in their new spheres. Other speakers were Mr F. W. Watt (chairman of tho Hospital Board), the Rev. C. S. Matthews, Mr J. T. Pratley, Mr J. Argylo (bandmaster), and Sister Cooper. Ensign Pratt, his wife, and Sister James suitably replied. During tho evening two new cornets, purchased for the Salvation Army Band as the result of Christmas carolling, wero presented to tho bandmaster by Lieutenants W. H. Osborne and W. R. Tucker, of tho First Canterbury Mounted Rifles Band. Several musical items wore given. Ensign and Mrs Pratt leave for the north to-day, and they will be succeeded by Adjutant A. Ransom and Mrs Ransom, who arrive on Friday. Tho Ashburton Hospital Board at its meeting yesterday decided to place on record its appreciation of the services rendered by Ensign Pratt in connexion with relief cases.

MOUNT SOMERS. The Mount Somers Ladies' Hockey Clul) held a successful short r.ighfc. dance in the Memorial Hall on Saturday evening, when a happy timo was spent, Music was supplied by Miss L. Wood and extras were played by Miss G. Morgan and Mrs AV. McClimont. Mr N. Beckley was M.C. The spell of fine weather again gave place to rains during the week-end.. Saturday was a hot. oppressive day and heat showers foil during the evening. South-west rain set in early on Sunday morning, later veering to the east, and by nightfall the clouds broke away, followed by a very cold night. Yesterday morning the sun was shining brilliantly from a cloudless sky. Point 24in of rain -was recorded on Sunday morning, and .04in yesterday morning, when two degrees of frost were also registered. As fairly strong winds accompanied the rain, farmers anticipated further damage among the crops. Fortunately, however, they were not so badly affected as with the previous rains. Misses A. Beckley (Caversham) and I. Miller Brighton, Ihmedin, returned to the south yesterday after spending holidays in the district. They w-ero the guests of Mr and Mrs A. Beckley during their stay. Mr J. Dormigan. Gore, who hns been spending a short holidav with Mr and Mrs P. H. Jones, "Bxbridgo," Mount Somers, is returning home to-day.