THE CHATHAM'S PATIENTS.

Auckland Star, Volume LIII, Issue 247, 18 October 1922, Page 9

THE CHATHAM'S PATIENTS.

THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT CRITICISED. DR. MAGUIRE'S ACTION ENDORSED BY BOARD. The recfent arrival of the cruiser Chatham in Auckland waters with several easea of mild influenza on board, which caused a scare throughout the Dominion, and particularly Auckland, was recalled by some brief remarks made at last night's meeting of the Auckland Hospital Board by the chairman, Mr. W. Wallace.

"I happened to be out of town at the time when advice was received that the Chatham was returning with influenza." Mr. Wallace said, "but the matter was quickly and ably handled by the deputychairman, Mr. S. J. Harb'utt, and the medical superintendent. Dr. Maguire, and 1 know that they acted with the concurrence of a<l members of the board. We all know of what happened this time four years ago, and -we did not desirr patients being admitted to the land suffering from any infectious disease. The Government had a quarantine station at Motuihi Island, and there was no need to ask where the patients should have gone. There was only one place for them to go—that was to Moutihi, and not to the Hospital. They should have known in the first place where to trent the cases. "I understand that admittance to the Hospital was practically demanded of Dr. Maguire." the chairman stated further.

"but there is a higher authority than the Government department concerned, and that is the general public of Auckland.

''The public of Auckland can rest assured that the position concerning infectious diseases in the Auckland Hospital province is quite normal, and there is no need to worry or for people to 'get the wind up.'" Other members of the board spoke endorsing the action of the superintendent nnd Mr. Harbutt. and a motion was carried by the board accordingly.