THE HOSPITAL ASSAULT CASE.

Press, Volume LIII, Issue 9321, 23 January 1896, Page 3

THE HOSPITAL ASSAULT CASE.

»' Before the business of the Chriatchurch Hospital Board was commenced yesterday Mr Westekra eaid he wished to reter to the assault whicli bad been committed on the Chairmau of the Board. Iα making auy remarks he would not say anything that might affect the case which was before tho Courb. He believed that he expressed the opinion of all the members ot tho Board wheu he said that they regretted exceedingly that such an assault should have been committed. It appeared to him to be a monstrous thing that any geutleman who held the position on any Board should be subjected to what h*d occurred to their Chairman ; and especially in this case the occurreuce was totally unwarranted. Iα expressing hie own regret he thought that he was expressing the opinion of tho wholo of the members.

Mr Webb aaid it was te be regretted that there had been a loophole for the atftur ; it was a mistake that tho whole of tho candidates had not. gone to the ballot.;

Mr Duslop said that; to his mind thero was another point at fault, and it was on the part of some member or members. He understood that anything which took place in Committee wae supposed to be contidential. (Hear, hear.) xf such matters were to be carried out side the building it meant that the Board had better not go iuto Committee, and have everything in future done iv open Beard. Anything retailed secondhand lost nothing by the repetition. He did not know who the member was who carried away the information, but whoever he might be he ought to be ashamed of himself for making as public as possible what was supposed to be a private affiir. He regretted with Mr Wesfcenra the difficult position that the Chairman bad been placed in. l)t. Stewart said that he agreed with tho remarks made by tho previous speakers. There were two sides to a question, and it was just as well perhaps that the matter would be gone into. He believed that) it was reported that he was the member who told Dr. DelVmzi about the matter. He wished to distinctly contradict that statement, and he had also told the Chairman that lie gave no information. Though the Chairman appeared to havo some hesitation in taking his word, he (Dr. Stewart) desired to repeat that ho had given no information, lie did not see Dr. OeßenzL until 7 o'clock that evening, and Dr. Deßenzi then knew more than he did.

Mr Murk ay said that he did nob know who told the tales outside, and such a thing ought not to have been done. He heard the next day that Dr. Deßenzi had been told something, and he had hee.rd names mentioned that he would not like to repeat, but he thought the Board could jadge very well as to where the information came from.

The Cn.vTRMAN said that he could only thank them for their expression of sympathy and for their opinion. When he came to that room he did not know that reference was to be made to tho matter, and he could assure them that io was not at hie seeking. On the day in question he, before the Board went into Committee, epoke in favour of toe Board going into Coirmittee, because they might have to speak on matters which might be supposed to affect the reputation or professional ability of gentlemen whose names might be mentioned. He did that not to protect himself from anything ho might have to cay, but to save other people's feelings from being hurt by any remarks that might be made at that meeting. He felc very strongly on this point. For his own part, he intended, as the other members, no donbt, intended, to express bis opinions fully and fearlessly in the interests of the public. If, unfortnuately, they had to deal with matters affecting private individuals, he would be as careful as he was on that occasion, for they would, no doubt, bear him out when he eatd that be then aaid nothing that reflected on anyone's private character. He merely epoke on th.3 advisability of electing such gentlemen on the staff as would work amicably with those already on for tho good of tho public. He desired nothing more than to be fully and truly reporle-1 through the public Press. Let them have a true account of what took place rather than go into Committee, and afterwards havo an absolutely false and garbled account placed before any imliviiliul whoso name might happen to be mentioned. He thanked the members for the interest and sympathy they had eh own, and said that he Hid not think that the discussion wouid affect the proceedings which had been taken. Tho Board then proceeded with other business.