RESIDENT DOCTOR FOR SHANNON.

Shannon News, 14 December 1928, Page 3

RESIDENT DOCTOR FOR SHANNON.

WILL COMMENCE PRACTICE IN JANUARY. With the unfortunate departure from Shannon of Dr. Maekereth, owing to ill-health, the toAvn and district has since been without Hie. services of a resident medical man, with the result that on numerous occasions residents have been caused a good dea’ of anxiety Avhen a medical man lias been required urgently; they having to sena either to Palmerston North or Levin, which in either case lia o also entailed a good (leal of delay and expense. Recognising how essential a resident doctor is to the toAvn the Borough Council recently advertised in the papers of the chief centres for a doctor, resulting in enquiries being ‘ received; but no satisfactory arrangement could be come to. A meeting of citizens was held at which it was decided to form a medical association, but here again, it Avas found that for such a body to be a success, it Avould be some considerable time before it could be properly formed. However, as a result of the vacancy being made known, Dr. Waddel, at one time on the Palmerston North Hospital staff, but who for the past two years lias held positions in the Old Country, visited Shannon on Tuesday and met a gathering of citizens in the morning and later in the day made an inspection of the borough and district. In the evening he met the Borough. Council, when the question of a guarantee Avas discussed. The doctor informed the meeting that, a's it Avould mean a big outlay for him if he decided to commence practice in the toAvn, he would like a guarantee from the Council that for the first twelve months his income, would be made up to £7OO for the year. The Council informed him that that, body cbuld not give him a guarantee, but assured him that if he decided to start in Shannon they Avould do all in their power to get the guarantee. As the doctor had another position under consideration lie deferred giving a definite reply until the following morning, when he telephoned the Town Clerk stating that he had definitely decided to commence‘practice in Shannon, commencing early in January. A special meeting of the Borough Council was held in the evening Avlien the question of raising the guarantee was discussed. It ivas decided that a canA'ass be made of (lie borough and district for the purpose of getting a guarantee fund. Those present at the meeting gawe the fund a start with contributions.

It Avas decided to hold a, meeting of citizens in the Maoriland Theatre on Friday evening, AA’heu the position will be placed before them.