AT THE INFIRMARY.

Auckland Star, Volume LXX, Issue 112, 15 May 1939, Page 8

AT THE INFIRMARY.

Tn connection with tho is«tiing of free tub i.•en at the Epsom Infirmary. I wish to ■ rur-ivt a wrung bupropion that may be created in tho minds <if the general public by tin- remarks df certain members, of the Auckland Hospital Hoard. From tho discussion of tho matter at tho recent hoard meeting one would gather that tho male inmate* at tlie infirmary wore supplied free by the Hospital Board with all their requirements of tobacco. Mrs. Dreaver implie<l that the stun of 7/ per week was allowed for tobacco money. Such a statement is extremely misleading and contrary to fact. The position is that each month each patient is given two plugs of pipe toltaoco at a cost to the hoard of approximately 1 '(> per plug. Undoubtedly nonPitmkiTs either sol! or give to friend* their ii-suo. while others oxehansre it for lighter cigarette tobacco or cigarettes, and who can I blnnio them? So much for the "reckless waste and trafficking" alleged by the chairman of tho board. If Mr. Moody smokes an occasional cigar, one could visualise tho amount of trafficking ho would l>e capable of with the munificent sum of three shilling* a. month to play with. ' INMATE.