AUCKLAND HOSPITAL

Evening Post, Volume CXI, Issue 107, 6 May 1926, Page 8

AUCKLAND HOSPITAL

"ERRORS AND EXTRAVAGANCES"

DEMAND FOR OPEN INQUIRY.

(By Telegraph.) (Special to "The Evening Post")

AUCKLAND, This Day. Affairs in connection with the administration of the Auckland Hospital have lately created a great deal of discussion among the local bodies. Matters now seem likely to bo brought to a head. Seven weeks ago the Hospital Board decided to ask the Health Department to hold a public investigation regarding allegations of errors and extravagances in conn.ectioa with the erection of buildings for the board, and also regarding the causes of friction between certain of the board's officials. The "Herald," in an article on the subject, remarks that statements that were made during the debate preceding that resolution were more thansufficient.to excite public apprehension, which would not' bo allayed without a public examination, of the whole subject by a competent tribunal. "It is surprising, therefore," Bays the "Herald," "to learn that the DirectorGeneral of Health has decided to conduct tho inquiry himself in private. There are no doubt occasions when a personal investigation by Dr. Valintine is both a sufficient and an effective method of enabling the Department to solve problems in hospital'administration; but the circumstances of the present case are obviously of an entirely different order. A public body does not ask for an independent investigation of its administration of public money without good cause, and the novelty of that circumstance alono is sufficient to indicate the necessity for a form of inquiry and a tribunal outside the customary practice of the Health Department. Prom the statement made by the architect to the board, it is evident that he will not be satisfied with a private departmental inquiry for one reason, because the proposed procedure does not give him the opportunity of replying to criticisms of his own part in the matter. Other, officials of the board will probably have equally valid reasons for dissatisfaction. There is at least a majority of the board who are convinced that an open investigation is necessary, and the chairman has expressed, his agreement with that course." The "Star," in some. remarks on the position, observes: "All the plans for the hospital buildings, it is pointed out, have been passed by the Department of Health, and it is asked, will the Department (which must share some of tho responsibility for the results), sitting in judgment on itself, condemn itself? Will the Department, which is in any case closely related to the hospital boards, be able to examine the position .with an absolutely impartial and independent mind? As to this, very serious doubts are expressed." The local bodies are complaining regarding the cost of running the hospital and the expensive nature of some of tho buildings erected. One local body representative, in a statement on tho subject, said: "The time has arrived when the Government must place some restriction upon the rating powors of the hospital boards. The method of collecting rates by levying on us is all right, but these boards should be restricted in their powers to rate in the same manner as are local bodies. A limit should certainly be placed upon the rate which can be struck. If. the hospital boards know they can go ahead and legally demand what moneys they want from the ratepayers, they will not be so careful in their expenditure as they would be if they knew they would have to cut their cloth according to their measure."