CASUALTY WARD ON WHARF.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1078, 17 March 1911, Page 6

CASUALTY WARD ON WHARF.

'. WOULD IT IMPROVE MATTERS? Speaking, yesterday of a proposal, emanating from the assistant-secretary of tho Wharf-Labourers' Union (Mr;G'. G. Farland), that a casualty, ward, should be provided at somo convenient point on tho local wharves, Mr. It. Fletcher (chairman of the Harbour Board) stated that the board was by no means averse to making nil reasonable provision for-cases of accident. It had yet to be demonstrated, however, that a "casualty ward was'cither necessary or likely to be useful. ,At.present, Mr. Fletcher stated, the board maintained a 'tolerably efficient first-aid service. Ambulance stores and stretchers were provided at various points on the wharves from Taranaki Street to the King's Wharf. Thirty, of. the board's permanent employees were trained in firstaid work. -These men held" regular monthly practices and were enthusiastic in adding to their knowledge of ambulance pursuits. Provision was thus-made for first-aid treatment in cases of emergency: '~■■'. It was difficult to see, Mr. ..Fletcherwent on, that the institution of a casualty ward would serve any particularly useful purpose. Most doctors preferred that their patients,'in accident cases, should be. moved as little as possible prior to receiving preliminary treatment. When this treatment had been given the next step usually was to remove the sufferer ti the hospital with as little delay as possible. Concluding, Mr. Fletcher reiterated his opening statement that the board was prepared to make any reasonable provision for cases of accident on the wharves. There was no doubt; 'he said, that the various -waterside callings were necessarily more or less hazardous and it was only right that everything possible should be done to alleviate the sufferings of men who from, time to time sustained injuries. •' '• • - ■ .;-■• ■..-■•.-