DISCHARGED EXECUTIVES

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20000, 27 July 1939, Page 13

DISCHARGED EXECUTIVES

AUCKLAND HOSPITAL WILLING TO CONTINUE SAME SALARY, BASIS (Per Press Association.) AUCKLAND, this day. A statement that both Dr. C. R. Burns, chief of the division of medicine, and Dr. J. M. Clarke, chief of the division of surgery, whose appointments were terminated by the Auckland Hospital Board on Monday, were witling to continue for a furthei 12 months at their present salary of £ISOO, without seeking an increase of £SOO to which th-ey were entitled after their first year’s service, was made yesterday by Dr. J. P. Hastings, a member of the board. Dr. Hastings had lodged a notice of motion for the rescinding of the board’s resolution As the question of economy had been raised, this generous attitude on the part of the two doctors should be lenown, Dr. Hastings said. Witbout doubt (these two members of the procalibre, could make twice that amount •n private practice. Their offer to continue at £ISOO was. what he could only term a noble gesture. , The two officers of the board did not wish to make any statement, but he had their authority in announcing '•.heir willingness to continue at their present salary. Each had his heart in his work and was more interested in improving the medical and surgical services in the hospital than in looking to his individual gain. It was a matter of real significance, in view of what had been said about the necessity for economy, that they should be so ready to make this sacrifice.

"The patients in hospital are very keen that the. services of the two executives should continue,” Dr. Hastings added. “It is realised that hey have not spared themselves in any wav, and that they are available it any time. This feeling is also to be found amongst the resident staff, and I understand is shared by a number of the visiting honoraries. Before the board terminated _ the appointments, no proper inquiry was made into the vital part the two officers are playing.”