MASTERTON HOSPITAL

Wairarapa Times-Age, 16 November 1938, Page 6

MASTERTON HOSPITAL

DR. ARCHER HOSKING’S RESIGNATION RECOGNITION OF SPLENDID SERVICE. TRIBUTES BY MEMBERS OF BOARD. The resignation of Dr Archer Hosking, who has been Medical Superintendent of the Masterton Hospital since 1905, was accepted with sincere regret at today’s meeting of the Wairarapa Hospital Board. The name of Hosking has been associated with the hospital for 60 years. . , Tributes were paid to Dr Hosking s splendid service to the hospital and the community in general. “After 35 years’ service there comes a day when retirement is a duty to oneself,” stated Dr Hosking in his letter of resignation. “With changing conditions,” he added, “I recognise that the affairs of the hospital can be better supervised by a whole-time medical officer as now proposed by the board.” The chairman, Mr H. H. Mawley, said that practically since the inception of the hospital the position of Medical Superintendent had been held by a member of the Hosking family. Dr W. H. Hosking, father of Dr Archer, had been Medical Superintendent from 1878 to 1903. Dr Archer was appointed Medical Superintendent in 1905, and had held the position ever since. He was granted leave of absence to serve in the New Zealand Expeditionary Forces and had charge of many war hospitals. He attained the rank of Major and was awarded the M.B.E. for war services. Dr Hosking had had a distinguished career. He graduated at Edinburgh University in 1896, was a Bachelor of Medicine and Master of Surgery. When he returned to New Zealand he. practised with his father and, after again leaving New Zealand, returned to join the staff of the Masterton Hospital. It was with great regret that they were losing his services, but Dr Hosking fully realised that it was now absolutely necessary to have a full-time Medical Superintendent. Associating himself with the remarks of the chairman, Mr D. McGregor said he and Dr Hosking had been classmates at school. It was with extreme regret that they were losing the services of Dr Hosking. Apart from thenmedical knowledge both Dr Hosking and his father had always had the interests of the community at heart. Dr Hosking had carried on the good work of his father efficiently and well. Reference to Dr Hosking’s good work and his unfailing kindness, and regret at his resignation, were expressed by several other members. Dr Hosking said he had first worked in the Masterton Hospital in 1897. In his experience there" had never been a major row with the board and that was something to be proud of. His sincere thanks were due to past and present board members for their kindness and courtesy. He thought the hospital was being handed over in good order and he would look forward with interest to its future progress. He felt ■sure that whatever changes the board made would be for the best. During his years in office he had seen doctors, matrons, board chairmen and members come and go and they had all- been “good sorts.” ' , APPOINTING A SUCCESSOR. The board decided to call applications for the position of Medical Superintendent at the Masterton Hospital at a salary of £950 a year, rising tb £l,OOO after 12 months’ service. A house allowance of £2OO per annum will also be paid until such time as the board erects a residence for the Superintendent, when the allowance will be discontinued and a free house, light and fuel provided. .