Native Doctors

High Standard of Efficiency

Praise By Governor

Of Fiji

From Our Suva Correspondent

Suva, Dec. 24.

"IN my visits to various islands I have often been brought into contact with the work of native prac titioners, and I have heard these men spoken of very highly. Those that have gone before you have set a high standard. It is your duty to live up to that standard, and it chould also be your aim to strive to improve upon it.”

These resounding words of encour agement were spoken by His Excellency at the second annual presentation of prizes at the Central Medical School recently.

This institution was originally foun ded in 1886 by the late Dr. Corney.

Then, after years of much good, solid work, by which the group was fur nished with excellent native medical practitioners, other island communit ies sought to share in the scheme. Over three years ago this was arranged, and students came from Samoa, Tonga, Gilbert Islands, Solomons and the Cooks. To-day, there are 35 students, and all are doing splendid work.

Formerly the training of students was limited to three years but, in future, this will be extended to four, to permit of a period of six months in school and six months in hospital.

The extra school time will enable stu dents to get training in biology, and extra hospital training will allow the senior students to obtain midwifery ex perience.

The entrance examination for 1931 was held in November and 33 Fijians applied for 14 vacancies and 14 In dians for one vacancy. The standard last year was much higher than pre viously. Special reference was made at the gathering to the indebtedness of the school to Dr. S. M. Lambert, the Rockfeller Foundation representa tive in Fiji, who has an intimate knowledge of the medical conditions of each one of the Island groups in the Pacific and whose advice and assist ance have been invaluable throughout the year.

Special praise also was given to the tutor, Mr. B. W. Hoodless, B.Sc., and as the chairman, Dr. Hunt said “The school has been very fortunate in se curing his services, as he has also a large knowledge of teaching.”

Dr. Roberts was also thanked for her fine work in connection with child welfare and motherhood among the natives.

His Excellency spoke highly of the work being done by the school and of the value to all the Pacific Island groups of the training given in Suva.

The result would be a greater efficiency and a much greater sense of security of human life among the native races, especially when epidemics appeared