THREATS TO RETIRE

Auckland Star, Volume LXVIII, Issue 267, 10 November 1937, Page 19

THREATS TO RETIRE

MEMBERS DIVIDED. HOSPITAL BOARD "BREEZES." FIN AX MEETING- AT WAIHI. (By Telegraph.—Own Correspondent.) WAIHI, this. day. Light "breezes" marked the last moments of the Waihi Hospital Board at its final general meeting last evening. The administration of the hospital n to be taken over by the newly-con-stitiiated Thames Hospital Board, which meets for the first time at Thames, on December 1. Dating back many years the board has passed through turbulent times, principally through differences of opinion among members of the board regarding the personnel of the staff. Evidence of the result of this disruption was forthcoming at last night's meeting when, in applying for an ex gratia payment of £25, the secretary, Mr. W. C. Collier, emphasised the harassing conditions which he had Deen called upon to meet at times. During his three years' service since 1935, he said, he had attended 165 meetings, or an average of 55 meet-, ings per year, inclusive of 37 special meetings. During the ensuing discussion the chairman. Mr. F. Ward, said the medical superintendent, Dr. A. Jenkins, was also entitled to consideration, having worked occasionally without an assistant. The board decided to make a grant of £10 each to the superintendent and the secretary. Dr. Jenkins said he would donate the sum to a deserving cause. - Contemptible." The proceedings became lively wben Mr. Boxall moved that the agreement providing for the appointment of Dr. Hutson as assistant medical superintendent for a period of three months be ratified. Mr. A. E. Robinson described the action as contemptible, and said he would walk out of the meeting. Mr. Robinson was supported by Messrs. ,T. L. McDermott and F. Raddings, which meant that there would be no quorum. The chairman said that Waihi might be "left ont in the cold" and lose its status. They should retain the best qualified men here. Mr. Robinson: Surely you don't tell us the status of - the hospital could be any lower. Mr. A. E. Johnson described Mr. Robinson s intention to leave the meeting and not "facing the music" as showing a-poor public spirit. The chairman said that in view of the threat of three members to walk out nothing could be done, and the motion was withdrawn. Mr. Johnson, during a lengthy restrospective statement, said that since the board came into office it had been compelled to fight the Minister of Health, the Department of Health and the British Medical Association, as well as having the Press against it. One appointee to the position of matron had been advised not to go to Waihi, and when the Press published her photograph she would not accept the position. It was useless to advertise when all the board s appointees were turned down.

NEW MATRON APPOINTED,

INFORMATION REFUSED. (By Telegraph.—Own Correspondent.) WAIHT, this day. The appointment of Miss O. E. Mcintosh as matron of the Waihi Hospital, lias been approved by the Minister of Health. She will take lip her duties on November 21. At the final meeting of the Waihi Hospital Board last evening a letter was read from a firm of Auckland solicitors asking for particulars relative to the dismissal of the ex-matron. Mrs. I. Paddock, who is under three months' notice. The chairman, Mr. F. Ward, said he did not like the -tone of the letter. Mr. C. Copestake said he could not see why the information sought should be given. A motion by Mr. A. Johnson ih.it no action should be taken was carried.