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Mr. THURBURN. It is a certainty that you are too short when two Sisters go on leave? The remaining ones would be too hard worked?
Miss EASTMOND.-Yes.
Mr. THURBURN.--So that it would be almost a necessity to get more Sisters from home or to get a supply here or to get the assistance of these girls.
Miss EASTMOND.-Why we thought of this scheme was that it would be cheaper than getting Sisters from home.
Mr. THURBURN.--If you have the assistance of these girls when two Sisters are at home, would you be able to carry on the work?
Miss EASTMOND.-Yes; but before trying it I should like to get Dr. ATKINSON'S opinion about it. He is expected in March. Of course, he may have other views. We propose at present to take on only two on trial. I know the girls. They are Eurasians. They are likely to do well. I have never had experience of Eurasians, but I think they might be tried. They are 18 or 19 years of age. It is proposed to give them $5 a month for the first year and a uniform.
Dr. PRESTON.-You think they would be of great assistance to you at the Hospital? Miss EASTMOND.-I think they would; at least, I hope they would.
Dr. CANTLIE.—What title would you give them the first year?
Miss EASTMOND. Probationers or nurses.
Mr. MCCONACHIE.-I understand the most economical way in the end would be to get out an additional Sister to be availed of when leave was taken by the others?
Miss EASTMOND.-There is that question to be taken into consideration instead of this scheme. Of course, it is an untried scheme.
Mr. THURBURN.—It would be much more satisfactory to have an additional Sister? Dr. PRESTON.-Yes, I think it would be more satisfactory to have another Sister. Miss EASTMOND.-Yes; because anything untried is a risk.
Dr. PRESTON-But in any case—
Mr. MCCONACHIE.-The question is whether it would not be the best policy to get out another Sister to relieve the pressure when leave comes. round. One extra: Sister would be worth two probationers.
Dr. PRESTON.-Yes, more.
THE PRESIDENT.-Have you any lady here who could undertake the work without instruction?
Miss EASTMOND.--No; I do not think so.
THE PRESIDENT.-Do not you think you could get the menial work taken off your hands?
Miss EASTMOND.-It would be difficult to get a lady here to come in and make eighteen beds of a morning.
Mr. MCCONACHIE.-What would be your idea? Whether it would be better to give this scheme a trial or to get out an additional nurse? I think you ought to be able to arrive at an idea about that. We ought to know your idea about it. Not which would be cheapest.
Miss EASTMOND.-Well, if you get another Sister we know exactly what we can get and know it will succeed. With probationers, although one hopes it would succeed, it is impossible to say; it is an untried scheme.
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