OTHER PEOPLE’S IDEAS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 23 July 1943, Page 4

OTHER PEOPLE’S IDEAS

CARTERTON’S BROADWAY (To the Editor.) Sir, —As a visitor to Carterton, I am pleased to note that the civic authorities are showing some pride in their town. The main l street from the Railway Station to the shopping centre is being made a very creditable one, both as regards the roadway and the footpaths. The northern side of Broadway has been satisfactorily completed, and at the moment the southern side is receiving attention, and when the tarring and sanding season comes round again, and the work has been completed it will be a credit to the borough. But there is one serious aspect that will detract from its appearance —that is the old dilipidated fences which should be put into proper repair. Surely the owners of these properties have some pride in their town, and if approached might be induced to do something. Then sagain 'the railway authorities might be induced to tar seal the railway yards east of the line and the roadway -leading into Belvedere Street. Perhaps if the authorities suggested to the Railways Department that they should do the work and charge the cost to the Department some good might come of the proposition. In the meantime, Mr Mayor and councillors, do your best to remove the unsightly fences. Yours, etc A VISITOR. Carter ton, July 21.

THANKS EARNED BY NURSES (To the Editor.) Sir,—To the gentleman who considers it “slobber” (crude expression) to thank the nurses at the Public Hospital for working extra hours, and doing without their days off. I wonder if he realises. (1) The terrific demands made on a nurse and the responsibility that is hers at any time, but more so these days with shortage of nurses. (2) That those girls, when tired and overworked, were laying themselves open to the infection among which they work. (3) That most of those girls are young, their ages ranging from 19 years to 23 or 24 years, and that, besides their work in the wards, and it is work, they have to study to qualify in frequent examinations —no mean thing these days. Each girl is expected to qualify well to uphold the standard of the training school. There is applause when any girl qualifies with honour and distinction—it is a credit to her school—but she has worked hard. (4) That there is not the response to the demand for nurses to train that there might be. Why? It is not made terribly attractive, is it? There is very little mention of a nurse in training, or on any ordinary hospital staff, for that' matter, as a war effort or work; yet a good percentage of the girls are training as a war effort, when they might have taken more spectacular and attractive war jobs. Also, a trained and qualified nurse is going to be a very necessary person in post-war days. The demands on her will be legion, where other services will terminate, and will not be necessary after the war. These things might be considered when stinting thanks, which, after all, are just ordinary courtesy. Surely there is more to do and think about these days than petty quibbling about thanks, which in this case are surely merited. —I am, etc., N.Z.R.N., 11137.