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Hokitika Guardian, 21 June 1921, Page 1

The .Journal of Health and Hospitals for May contains the following:—Tlie Secretary, Westland Hospital Board, urites as follows:—“It is with very sincere feelings of regret that we have just learnt of the probability of H. M. C. Robertson,' Esq., Inspecting Accountant, severing bis connection with the Health Department. 1 trust you will pardon me expressing my candid opinion of this severance, as it will undoubtedly be detrimental to many Secretaries, Hospital Boards, as well as that of the Health Department. His marked ability and unfailing courtesy, and earnest desire to help smoothworking of the Department’s affairs and the individual Boards will be keenly missed. He is possessed of such a thorough grasp not only of the Health Department’s accountancy work, but also possesses an intimate knowledge of the detail work of the various Boards’ books, and on the two visits lie has made to this office he gave me the impression of being a distinct acquisition to the essential working of the Board and Department’s requirements. T therefore unhesitatingly express my unqualified regret at any such step being contemplated, and sincerely hope that ‘Dame Rumour’ on this occasion has again proved to bo a ‘lying jade.’ Mr Robertson is too good a man and does his work too well to be allowed to lieate the work be is so keenly interested in.” Unfortunately, “Dame Rumour” is on this occasion correct. The Department certainly is unfortunate in Josing many of its most competent offin\s just when they become most usenil to us, but we feel sure that the Public Service Commissioner will recognise that the work of this Department is as important as that of any other Department of the State (we ourselves, of course, are of the opinion that, it is considerably more so), and that if it be merely a matter of salary that enables other Departments to entice our men away from us, the needful remedy will lie applied and tho trouble removed instead of the officer.