HOSPITAL LIQUOR.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 103, 3 May 1935, Page 5

HOSPITAL LIQUOR.

LOSSES SUGGESTED.

STATEMENT IN DUNEDIN. CHAIRMAN'S EXPLANATION. (By Telegraph.—Own Correspondent.) • DUNEDIN, this day. Mr. F. Jones, M.P., a member of the Hospital Board, in a public address, referred to alleged loss of stores at the Public Hospital, stating that investigations had revealed that the greatest loss had been in respect to spirituous liquors. To-day Mr. W. E. S. Knight, chairman of the board, said it was true that some brandy had gone missing, but the source of the trouble had been rectified, and the whole system tightened up. There was no suggestion as to how the liquor had gone missing, and no proof was available. It was not for the board to say that the supply of liquor to the hospital should be cut down. If a recommendation were to be taken, it should first of all come from medical

men. Dr. Newlands, a member of the board, stated there had been a tendency to cut down the supply of alcoholic liquor at hospitals. However, there had been no drastic changes here. During the last few years an extensive drop was noticeable in comparison with 20 years ago. Whisky had not been' specifically cut out, but there might have been no need to put in a requisition to add to the exising stock. The medical superintendent was quite satisfied that the alcohol used was the normal quantity for the hospital. Years ago proper records had not been kept. Discrepancies had been noticed two years ago, and since then there had been nothing wrong with the records. He was satisfied that what was being used was not in-excess.