THE SUPERINTENDENT'S VISIT.

Thames Advertiser, Volume VII, Issue 1903, 26 November 1874, Page 3

THE SUPERINTENDENT'S VISIT.

THE INQUIRY INTO POWER'S CASE* Yesterday morning, shortly after .ten o'clock, the members of the Thames Hospital Committee met his Honor the Superintendent at the Provincial Government Buildings. There were present - Rev. Y. Lush, Bev. J. Hill, Messrs Mcllhone, Macnab, Benshaw, Bagnall, Tyler, McCullough, Bowe, Sims, Gudgeon, E. H. Power, McDonald, Kennan, Souter. His Honor asked if Maurice Power was present ? Mr Mcllhone said Power was not present, but he could soon be procured. A - messenger was despatched for Power. His Honor said: At the request which Mr Ji'owe forwarded to me I caused some inquiry to be made into this matter, which has given rise to a good deal of uneasiness, respecting _ the treatment of Maurice Power while in the Hospital, I appointed two gentlemen to come here, they have made an inquiry, and the result of that inquiry is no,v before in writing, 'hey merely, at my request, took the statements which were made to them, but abstained from expressing any opinion whatever upon these statements. I wished them (o do so—to keep their minds to themselves — to express no opinion until I found myself in a position to consider the whole matter for myself. Therefore I come into this stago of the examination totally unbiassed. I have brought down with me one medical gentleman; I invited two, but yesterday morning, just as I was leaving, I received a note at my house from Dr. Golbsbro', stating that professional duties—urgent professional duties —prevented him from accompanying me here. I was therefore obliged to come with only one, Dr Lee. Dr Lee was to have been associated with Dr. Philson on this occasion, but Dr Philson being unable to come, I spoke to Dr Lee, and he expressed his willingness to come down. I do not wish to go into any medical inquiry, or into the business, any more than to ascertain the rules and regulations under which the Hospital exists, and is managed, and I wished the two medical men to accompauy me in making that' inquiry. I have only now the assistance of Dr Lee. Still, f desire to have another. I have telegraphed—l am about to send a telegram to Auckland, requesting Dr Hooper, or some independent medical man lo come down by this night's boat, in order thai he may be here tomorrow morning. I do not wish to go into the inquiry by myself, without being assisted by two medical men, and if I could get an independent man here, one who has been entirely unmixed up in the matter, I should be glad, but Mr Bowe informs me that, more or less, every medical man in the place has expressed some opinion, and it would be better, I think, to get some one from Auckland, who_ knows nothing at all of the matter , I think of sending for Dr Hooper, and if the committee have no objection to that course I will do so. Dr Hooper is a man of extensive experience as a medical man in Auckland, without, however, much hospital experience; Dr Lee has had no hospital experience beyond what he obtained in studying his profession. But still I do think that somebody having a knowledge of hospital management should be associated with me in bringing this matter to a conclusion before I express any opinion upon it. If the committee allow me-if they are content with Dr Lee alone-I will go into the matter, but if they are not, and think I should have another, I will send to Auckland for one. For my own part I will be content with Dr Perston, Dr Kilgour, Dr Payne, or any medical man here to whom the committee will offer no objection. There is one inquiry I desire to make before proceeding any further, and that inquiry I should like to make of Power in your presence. I have a question to put to him which I should be glad to put in your I presence.

Mr Bowe said that with reference to the medical men, what he had said was, that they were all officers of the institution itself. He did not say they had expressed an opinion. He believed they had given evidence, and on that ground, and being officers of the institution, ho thought it would be better to hare medical men from Auckland.

His Honor: I suppose the committee will understand my reason for asking Dr Lee to come down. There have been something of religious questions mixed up in this, lam sorry to hear. I should like to have proceeded in the presence of people who will know that I am entirely unbiassed in the matter, and in whom confidence can be placed The statement now before me, so far as it goes, appears to have been impartially and fairly taken and given.

_ Mr Mcllhonb said that no religious difficulty was mixed up with the matter at all so far as the committee were concerned. So far as he was concerned, the question of religion never entered into the matter at all.

His Honor: It is to avoid the appearance of anything of that sort that Dr Lee came down.

Mr K. H. Power said he was quite agreeable (hat Dr Lee should sit witli his Honor to settle the matter. Ho would propose to the committee that Dr Lee would_ be sufficient together with the Superintendent. It was a pity to waste any lime in the matter.

It was agreed that the committee should proceed to another room to consult as to the proposal of the Superintendent. Rev V. LrsH said that Dr Philson and Mr Lusk had been down there, but the superintendent had merely their statement, and no opinion; would it not be sufficient now if the Superiutendent telegraphed for Dr PiiLn's official opinion, and go by that? DrLeo had no experi,nee lu hospital matters; Dr. Ph ; l3 , on M a large experience ofhospila practice and routine, and could say whether ho thought the routine of the lhames Hospital was conducted as it should be.

Mr Mcllhone said the matter was iust where it was when it left the Hospital Committee. It was referred to the Provincial Government, and for the committce now to interfere or suggest was not a right thing. He thought they should abstain, and let the Government bring Dr Philaon or anybody else. Jiev V. Lush said he had no objection to that. J

Mr Tyier said ho concurred in the remarks made by Mr Mcllhone. As he understood the matter, for certain reasons the committee asked some other body to make this inquiry, and it was for that body now to hold the inquiry in any way they chose.

Mr Jiow£ said he would object to sug. gest anything. Mr BAGNALL.said that he was about to make a motion that as. tho matter had been referred to the Provincial Government that the committee decline to interlere until they got the report,

Mr Benshaw said they had agreed to leave it fo the Provincial Government, and to abide by their opinion, whatever it might be.

Mr iMc r LHONE said that was a different matter. They had not agreed to that. The committee did not intend that the Provincial Government should make a general inquiry into the hospital, and that seemed to be the Superintendent's intention now. They simply referred the case of Power.

After some further conversation, Mr Bagnall's motion was put and cirried, and the committee returned into tho room where the Superintendent was, Maurice Power having arrived in the meantime.

Mr Kowe informed his Honor of the resolution come to by the committee. He said that as they had referred the matter to the Provincial Government they wished to leave it so that his Honor might pursue what course he thought proper. They were willing to afford all the assistance in their power, but thought that his Honor must be the judge as to whether he should send for another medical man or not.

His Honor said ho was much obliged for the coulilenco placed in him. He then proceeded: Before I proceed any further, I wish to put a question to Power, in the presence of the committee. (To Mr Power.) 1 huvo been informed, and it is widely circulated and stated, that you intend lo briug an action at law against the persons connected wiih tho hospital for the injury you have sustained through iho treatment during the time you were in tho hospital. I wish to know if it is your intention to bring this matter before a Court of lasv in the way of suing for damaues?

Mr Power : I never expressed any opinion, either for or against, to any person, up to this. Ido not know that it would be judicious on my part to say so now. His Honor: Would you say to mo whether it is your intention ? -it would guide me very much in tho course I am to take afterwards. I am distinctly informed that it is your intention to go to law with the officers of tho hospital, Mr Powhr : I could not give a decided answer at present. His tiosoa: Because, if it is your intention to go into a Court of Justice, I would say, to the Court of Justice go, aud I should, hesitate to go into any further inquiry into the matter. I think it would be improper in me to do so-to prejudice auy action you may take. Mr Powuu: It was my intention, if I should not have justice done to me by the committee, to bring the matter before a jury to elicit the facts of the case. Up to this I have not been done justice to in the matter. What course I shall pursue it would not be proper to say just now. His Honor: At whose hands do you expect that measure of "justice"—the committee or the Government? Mr Power: I expect it at the hands of the Government now. His Honor: You are looking forward to the Government, if they find that you have been treated badly in the hospital, that they should make some compensation to you-should make provision for you? Mr PoWEti: JN'ofc exactly that. His Honor: I would like to know what you do expect. Mr Power: I may in any case take steps against Dr Lethbridge, or the hospital, for my treatment. His Honor thanked Mr Power for attending

His Honor said: I thought it desirable [ should put this question to Power in your presence betore I proceeded further. If it really is his intention to go to a Court of Justice, I think I should abstain from prejudicing any action the Court may take. I havo no doubt the case will begone into fully before a judge and jury. 1 should be sorry to prejudice the case in any way. I wish therefore i.o limit myself, until sure of that, simply to an inquiry into the hospital generally. Would the secretary of the committee, or the president, be good enough to place before me the rules and regulations subsisting at the present time.

Mr ItowE said that could be done, an'd the secretary was despatched for a copy of the rules.

His Honor: By whomwero these xegulations prepared ?

Mr Kowu: By the General Committee. HisHoNOa: Were they submitted to the Superintendent of the Province?

Eev. V. Lush : They have been in force ever since the hospital was established.

Mr Mcllhone said he would like to get an expression of opinion from the committee whether Power going to law or not had anyihing to do with the inquiry ? Their duty as a committee was to ascertain how Power was treated. Whether he intended to bring an action or not should not weigh upon their minds for a moment.

Mr Bowb did not think the committee should interfere in any way with the Superintendent's course of action.

if is Honor: We are paying money for the support of this hospital, and if the regulations are defective — if by these regulations nurses in the hospital are not bound down so as to require them to pay proper attention to patients, that would be a great defect. Before any further money is pail by my authority, I must know whether the regulations are such as stand in other hospitals with a view to secure that. My own opinion is — I do not wish to state it offensively to any person connected with the hospital—that in hospitals generally there is such a thing as the attendants becoming callous; and hard-hearted owing to the constant practice they have in the management of these cases. Hence it was that during the, Crimean war it became necessary for a party of ladies to go there to look after those who had been wounded, and who had been suddenly thrown into the hospitals, rather than leave them to the care of ordinary hospital nurses. On this field sudden casualties frequently occur, and men might bo cast on beds of sickness in the hospital, and thrown into the care of people who might treat them in the way in .which hospital servants very often do. If any of us were cast upon beiis of sickness in our own homes, we have around us watchful care, but in an hospital, unless the regulations are very strict and stringent to secure the constant care and oversight of the sick, they are frequently neglected. I am not speaking of the Thames Hospital, but of hospitals gonerally. Tory much depends upon the surgeon, or those persons left in charge during his absence, as he cannot be constantly present. When left to the care of the warders or nurses they very frequently leave the poor people at critical times, when care is required, and when they, in their ignorance, are not aware that such care is required. In order to ascortaiu that, 1 should liko to know, before continuing support, whether the regulations require from the warders and nurses that watchfulness which is nec*s-

sary in such circumstances as I have described. The committee will excuse me for stating these matters, because I believed it was necessary for me at one. time to take aclion regarding the Auckland Hospital which led to the removal of tho surgeon, one who was very skilful in his profession, who was charged with neglect and other things, that rendered it necessary, in my opinion, that he should be removed. It was at that time that Dr Philson was appointed. Dr Philson is a good man, and is always there himself, night or day, when bis services are required, and those who are left in charge are persons who show humanity, good nature, and kindliness to the unfortunate penp'e placed under their care. The regulations require il, and Dr Philson sees that they are carried out. I bclisve it is tho duty of medical men to look to theso things, and to see that humanity is exercised, and (hat there is more than ordinary good nalure in those in charge of the sick and afllictod at precarious times. It was with that view that I desired to ascertain and know the nature of the regulations which guido the offierrs in the hospital. His Honor thr-n informed tho committee that ho would inform them next day of what course he intended to pursue.

The committeo then assembled in another room, whero some conversation took place upon tho turn which affairs had taken.

Mr Mcllhone said ho looked upon the thing as a great farce. Bev. V. Lusn said that although it might be true that the rules were not so perfect as the Superintendent might like to see, still he must not run away with the idea that the officers were all callous or hard-hearted. He had frequently visited the hospital, and conversed with a number of patients, aud they had always expressed their sense of the kindness and attention shown them.. ....

Bev. J. Hill said it might be possible that the rules were everything lhatcot.ld be desired, but it was also possible that these rules might not be acted out. Tho question laid before' the Superintendent was whether there had been neglect, and an investigation into the rules would not settle the question. He was sorry to hear that the question of Power's intention was introduced. Power was not the one who brought 'he case to them. He (Mr Hill) believed it was against Power's will it was brought at all. They had a duty to perform to the hospital, apart altogether from what might be the intention of Maurice Power,

After some remarks from Mr Sims, Mr Souter, Mr Macnab, and Mr Benshaw, the meeting terminated.

THE MUNICIPALITY.

His Worship tho Mayor, Councillors Brown, Macnab, and Bdwe waited upon his Honor and Mr Sheehan in the afternoon in reference to several matters.

'J he Mayoe said the first matter they would like to ask about was the grant which had been voted to the municipality by the Provincial Council. His Honor was aware that they had to maintain the roads throughout the winter out of the borough's money, and in consequence their overdraft, on which they were paying interest, was cousiderable. His Honor said they were prepared to advance upon the vote of tho Council, and to give the Council a proportion of it. But they must bear in mind that there had been upon the Government claims and demands for the outlay of money owing to the boisterous season, which they could not have foreseen. But nevertheless, the vote of the Council they considered themselves bound to pay. There must bo some misunderstanding in the minds of the people, and the members of Council, too, with regard to the advances of money voted by the Council. They could not make these at once, inasmuch as they did not get the revenue at ouce into the treasury. In the middle of the year they received a good deal of it, arising out of licenses of one sort or another, ivjiich were not paid in till the middle of June. Until after the Provincial Government received the money they could hardly pay it out. With regard to the money to be received from the General Government, that £25,000 of surplus revenue was only being paid to them by instalments. They had only got'of that sum, £6,500. 'J'hey might have received more if they had pressed for it, but representations were made to them by the members of the General Government that it would be more convenient for them to pay by instalments. 'Then auain, of the £40,000 which had been advanced to the proviuce upon the security of the land fund, that was only being paid by instalments also. They Lad received the second instalment of that. So that of these moneys of which there had been a good deal spoken, and written too, there should be no misappre-lir-nsion. They were quite willing, of course, and bound to keep their promise j whatever the Council had promised to the municipality of the Thames, they would do, but the Council must take the money as the Provincial Government could get it themselves. They were at the present time disposed to make an advance upon tho £1,500, and would do so. But they must hear in mind that if tho proviuce overdrew its account they must pay interest, and the question was whether tho whole province should pny interest, or whether they should should pay it at the Thames upon their own overdraft. While the Executive were desirous to do all they could, they had the interest of the province to attend to, while the Borough Council had the interest of their own municipality. The Mayob said- the Borough Council had had a large outlay. ■ Since last May they had had to maintain the roads without getting any assistance, as they had not been able to colloct a rate, They had only just eommenced to collect the rate. They had spent £1,974 for new roads, £430 on drains, £657 on tramways, £350 on the Hape Creek bridge, and they had now work going on, and in metal for roads, which would come to about £1,000 more, close upon £4,000 iu all.

His Honob said that on the 4th of December they would pay an instalment, and on the 4th of January a second instalment of tho £1,500—fi750 in each instalment. £2,250 was the amount of the rate up to tho end of June.

The next subject brought up by the Mayor was with respect to the waterworks.

Bis Honor said that application had been made by parties for tliu erection of standpipes, and they had partly promised to have the work done. Were the Council prepared, ,if the works were handed over, to meet these applications as far as possible ?

The resolution passed hy tho Borough Council in reference to the waterworks was then referred to, under which the borough agreed to certain condiiions, auy future extensions to bo at the cost of the district in which they were made. Hia Honor said ho saw no objection to

handing over the waterworks on these conditions, with this proviso, that they should, for the protection of the other districts, take care to have it in their powdV to resume possession. Hedid not think it would be necessary to enforce such a condition, but it was to protect them in some way, and that, on giving two months' notice they should have power to resume in the event of failure.

Mr Koive said it would be necessary that the conditions should be made plain.

After some furthpr conversation the matter was concluded, on the understanding that the waterworks should be handed'over on certain conditions.

The next subject brought up was the Cemetery, which the Borough Council desire to extend and to get a better road to. Various pieces of land adjoining the present Cemetery which could be'obtained were spoken of, and it was agreed that Mr Sheehan, with several of the Councillors, should visit the locality to-day. '

_ The Matou then pointed out the necessity of forming a. road along the beach from Grahamslown to Shortland. He said that a good deal of property and tiie gardens of the residents were being destroyed.

JH is Konoe said he thought it would be a very desirable work to do. He had had an idea of doing it long ago, but local influences prevailed.

The estimate made by tlio engineer was then referred to, and it was found that he. had calculated that to make the road would cost £10,000, and with a railway, £18,000, but the Mayor said he thought the object might be obtained at a less cost. The Mayor also said they thought the money might be raised on the foreshore.

After a good deal of conversation, His Honor said he would like if the Council would raise the matter in a letter, and he-would get-the engineer to report. The Mayoe said the last matter he had to speak of was with reference to the Tararu Cemetery. A sum of £68 lis was coming to the Tararu Board from the General Government grant. At present there was no Tararu Highway Board, and he would ask his Honor if it was possible that that small amount should bo handed over to the Chairman of the late Board to be by him used in fencing in the cemetery, The inhabitants of Tararu had sent in an applicalim asking that that should be done.

Mr Fheehan said if the ratepayers were satisfied he could see ho legal objection. The only thing was that an arrangement had been made by which the Tararu district should be joined to the Waiotahi.

Mr Bsown said that he was the chairman of the late Tararu. Board. The largest portion of the district was now in the municipality, and it was thought better not to carry on the. Board any longer. The whole of the residents in the district proposed to be joined to the Waiotahi had asked that the money should be used for the purpose of fencing the cemetery.

Mr Eowe aaid that he thought this matter had been brought before the Superintendent rather illegitimately. He was present at the Council meeting last night, when the subjects were arranged which were to be brought before his Honor, and this was certainly not one of them. Some time ago the Waiotahi Board received a letter from the Provincial Government asking whether they would consent to the Tararu district being annexed to it. In his opinion the action taken by these gentlemen manifested a want of faith in the members of the Waiotahi Board which he did not think they had any reason for.

His HoNor asked Mr Howe if he would object , l o the appropriation of the money in the way proposed.

Mr Bows said that what he proposed to do with this sum of money was to appropriate it to this purpose, providing the iu habitants, those liable to pay rates in the Tararu district, would assent to that course. The Waiotahi Board, however, would most positively object to take the Tararu district, unless they had the spending of the money. Mr Brown said the petition had not only prayed that the money should be spent in fencing the r emetery, but that they should not be joined to the Waiotahi Board, There were very few people, and the tramway passed their doors. Mr vSheeean said (hey must join either one system or the other. Mr Bkown said they would bo much better to remain a part of the goldfield. After some further conversation, The Matob said it whs a good idea of Mr Kowe to object to their getting the £68 when the Waiotahi Board were getting over £600, based on the rates collected in the municipality. Mr Bowe said that he thought they had belter let thut alone. He could show that the Waiotahi district had been robbed of thousands of pouuds. HisHonoe: "Kobbed!" Don't use that strong language, Mr Kowe. It was agreed that the money should be speut in fencing the Cemetery, under the superintendent of Mr McLaren.

KAUffABBAKKH DISTRICT.

Mr Bagnali. then spoke to his Honor about the money which the Kauwaeranga district was to receive out of the Provincial Grant for goldtields roads in highway districts.

After some consultation, his Honor staled that he would inform the Board in a few days.