“Doc.” Vernon.

Much-Loved Resident of T.I Moves On To New Fields.

From Our Own Correspondent

Thursday Is., Sept. 28.

BY the departure of Dr. G. H. Vernon, M.C., F.R.G.S.A., who has re signed his position as surgeon superintendent of the Torres Strait Hospital and also disposed of his private practice, and has just gone to Papua, this little Northern outpost has lost a medical man of marked ability, a townsman of public spirit and wide sympathies, a citizen whose interests were more than merely local, and one who, by white and coloured alike, will

be remembered for many years to come for his generous and un assuming help and self-sacrificing de votion to duty.

T.I. has always been fortunate in its doctors, and some of the best re presentatives of the profession have occupied the modest dwellings which house the “town doctor” and the Com monwealth medical officer, respectively.

One of its public memorials is to the memory of a former doctor.

Dr. Vernon, or “Doc.,” as he is more generally known, has been with us for somewhere about twelve years now; and if there were no public farewells with crowded halls at the time of his departure, it is not because of any lack of appreciative affection on the part of the people, but at the specific re quest of the Doctor himself, whose de precating modesty and large-hearted ness combined in a firm refusal to the

pleadings of the Mayor, to be allowed to convene a civic demonstration.

This did not, however, prevent people from subtly inviting him to various little functions where they could at any rate quietly tell him how he is honoured and respected here, and how greatly his services have been ap preciated in various ways. And, much as we feel that we shall like his suc cessor, it causes somewhat a heartache to realise that the familiar tall figure of the “Doc.” will no longer be seen striding along, in shorts, and fre quently hatless, to the Hospital at Vivien Point, or perhaps urging a pushbike uphill in the face of a south easter.

At the local Hospital, there have been a number of additions and im provements during Dr. Vernon’s regime, in the way of new buildings and equipment. And one of his char acters qualities was that he always desired to give the native and coloured patients a “fair show,” as well as the Europeans.

A very large percentage of patients are coloured; and the doctor’s large and travelled experience with various coloured peoples of the world gave him ready understanding of those with whom one has to deal here.

Often, in one of the

wards, might be seen a group playing draughts, or cards, or some other game —Jap anese, or half-caste, or Malay, or Islander — and amongst them the Doctor. And in the town itself, the various coloured peoples al ways felt that they could go to him on any matter whatever, as to a friend who under stood them.

There are various in stitutions which will miss his invigorating influence and good sportsmanship very keenly. He was keen on both football and

cricket. The Aquatic Club owes a good deal to his steady help; and he himself generally took a prominent part in the sailing competi tions and other events arranged, even although more than one tide and wind in their trickiness capsized his little craft!

Another organisation (which he brought into existence) is the local branch of the Royal Geographical Society of Australasia, which has done

valuable work in collecting records of both geographical and historical in terest, and in providing for frequent lectures, which have stimulated in terest and drawn forth new knowledge.

This body, at its last meeting, (de cided to make Dr. Vernon, who, from the inception, has been its energetic secretary, a life member.

As an active member of the Re turned Soldiers’ Association (serving with distinction in the War, for which he was awarded the M.C.), he leaves a gap. And as a staunch supporter of everything that was done in town’s interest, his name will be re membered with both affection and gratitude. The Doctor, it may be men tioned, is a loyal Australian, as well as a staunch Britisher.

Extremely fond of animals, especially dogs, our “Doc.” has at least two other attachments also. One is music; the other is writing. For some time he was one of the organists at the Quetta Cathedral (which also reminds me that he occupied a seat on the Diocesan Council for many years as one of the lay advisers of the Bishop of Car pentaria), and his own piano pro vided him with those little “breaks” which dwellers in tropic climes find necessary at times.

Then, besides being himself a wide reader, he is facile with the pen. To “The Bulletin” and various magazines and newspapers he has contributed stories and descriptive articles; and there are also some other publications of which he very modestly acknow ledges authorship if you nin him down to it!

To those upon whom fortune has tem porarily frowned instead of smiled,

Dr. G. H. Vernon, M.C., late Government Medi cal Officer. T.I., and Dr. W. M. Bevington Government Quarantine Officer, T.I., “snapped’ while they were resting after carrying out a difficult operation in the tropical heat.

Thursday Island Hospital.

whether they happened to be resident or merely passing this way “hoping for something to turn up,” the subject cf this little sketch has always been ready to extend the hand of friendship, and, what is particularly to the point, to express his humanity in something more than words. Yes; there are many here —and elsewhere —who will miss the genial face and white-garbed figure; more perhaps than any out sider will ever know.

And although he is loath to receive any public testimony, and would rather face any number of batteries than sit on a platform to hear people say nice things of him, his many friends will echo every word, and more, of this brief “P.I.M.” tribute, and will wish for the Doctor in his new place of abode the best that life has to offer, with the hope that from time to time he may pass this way again.