VETERINARY CLUB.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVII, Issue 5064, 13 December 1926, Page 3

VETERINARY CLUB.

EXECUTIVE MEETING AT NGATEA.

THE SURGEON’S ABSENCE.

The executive of thei Farmers’ Veterinary Club met at Ngatea on Wednesday, Mr G. T. Davidson presiding over Messrs C. H. Waite, A. dLeawer, J. Darlington, R. Burke, G. Phillips, C. W. S'chultz, T. A. McClean, and the secretary (Mr C. A. Gibson).

Mrs. Costello wrote advising .that Mi; Costello was, improving, but the doctor was of the .opinion that he would not be able to resume duty for another three weeks.

In reply to Mr Bur.ke the chairman said that the surgeon was on. leave on full pajy. Mr Cleaver asked if Mr Costello would be fit to resume in three weeks’ time.

The chairmna replied, that .that was what he had endeavoured to ascertain. Mr Cleaver pointed out that the agreement provided for .three months’ notice on either side. Mr Davidson said he understood that Mr Costello’s resignation would be forthcoming after Christmas if he was not then fit for duty. On October 7 the club had granted him six weeks’ leave of absence.

Mr Darlington said that the club had over 100 members, who should be considered.

The chairman pointed out that though members had had eight months’ service many were using the surgeon’s absence as an excuse, for not paying suuscriptibns. Mrs Costello had been doing yeoman service, and under the circumstances members were being as well served as possible. Mr Burke asked if it .w’as not advisable to call a general meeting of the club.

Mr Davidson said he did not think that necessary. Leave for .the; three weeks applied for could be granted on condition that something definite was made known at the end of the period. The club was not financially strong enough to engage a. locum tenens. Members pointed out that if the outstanding subscriptions were paid up the club would be financially sound and able to carry on. It was always very difficult at this time of the year to collect subscriptions. Mr Waite pointed out that it was practically impossible to secure a suitable veterinary surgeon. According to the recent Act it was not possible for the association to engage a man who was not a, member of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons or wno was qualified by the required number of years of experience. It was doubtful if a suitable man cotfld be; secured at all. The secretary pointed out that a general meeting could not be held before Christmas, two weeks’ notice had to be given. According to the rules of the club the surgeon could only be removed from office by a general meeting.

/ Members argued that i'f the surgeon was not on duty in three weeks’ time he was. liable to instant dismissal for absence from duty. No one wished to be hard, but the committee had to look to the interests of members. It would be, scandalous for the club to engage, another surgeon at present. Mr Schultz said that the position would be satisfactory i'f Mr Costello appointed a locum tenens. Mr Waite said that Mr Costello would not be fit to do heavy work in three weeks’ time, but his son would accompany him on his rounds.

%Tr Darlington said that the three weeks’ le,ave should be granted. It would certainly be advisable to get something definite as to whether Mr Costello would then be able to carry on. Mr Davidson moved that the surgeon be granted further leave until December 31, 1926. Seconded by Mr A. Cleaver and carried unanimously. A meeting will be called by the president early in January to consider the matter. FINANCE. The secretary reported that outstanding accounts for subscriptions and medicines totalled £407, and accounts. due by the club amounted to £72. There' was £l3 in the bank. Accounts had been rendered frequently without result. In reply to a question the chairman said that any member h.ad the. right to examine flhe list of defaulting subscribers.

The secretary stated that only 21 members, had paid their current year’s subscriptions.. Thepe were due in advance. Nearly £4O of last year’s subscriptions were outstanding. After much discussion it yrtas decided to go thoroughly into the financial position at the next meeting.