THE HOSPITAL TRUSTEES.

Evening Star, Issue 8549, 23 June 1891, Page 1

THE HOSPITAL TRUSTEES.

It is a matter to be regretted that, as a rule, the management of public institutions in Dunedin falls into the hands of men who, while no doubt performing their duties conscientiously, are of narrow views, and fail to see beyond the immediate consequences of their own decisions. They cannot brook that their administration should be unfavorably criticised, or that any fault whatever should be found with their conduct of business. Whatever they do or decide on must, they are convinced, unquestionably be right; and they resent interference as altogether unjustifiable. The Hospital Trustees exhibited these characteristics very plainly at their recent meeting to discuss the interview between Ministers and the city and suburban members on the subject of a grant from the Consolidated Fund towards carrying out the proposed extension and alterations of the building. The Inspector of Hospitals, being called on by the Premier for his opinion, was very distinct in condemning the present Bite, as well as the hopelessly defective structure of the hospital; and he was only doing his duty in pointing out that it would be practically a waste of money to expend the amount required in the manner indicated. So long ago as 1889 the inspector, in his annual report, directed special attention to " the evils which the structural deficiences of the building caused," and this opinion was more than confirmed by the Inquiry Commission last year, of which Sir James Hector was a member. Dr Macgregor is respon-

sible to the Executive and to the Colony, and would have been seriously culpable had ho not, with his convictions on the subject, spoken out as he did. It was not only bad taste but extremely bad policy in certain of the Trustees to abuse Dr Macgregor in set terms, and to question his professional capacity because he is unable to fall in with their ideas. They thus place themselves at once in the wrong, and prejudice their case with the Government and the country. Those opinionative gentlemen, who committed themselves on the occasion referred to. do not seem to realise the absurdity of setting themselves up against Dr Macgregor and Sir James Hector as authorities on hygiene and hospital construction. We would suggest to them a little more modesty and decorum in their utterances. A great point was attempted to be made of some " ideal site " for a new hospital, which, it would appear to be presumed, the inspector is determined on. There is nothing in evidence to this effect. He simply objects to the present site and the present building, and strongly urges the erection of a properly • designed hospital in a more healthy position, naturally suggesting the Town Belt as the locality." If the site at the Botanic Gardens could not be obtained because a hospital must not be allowed to come "between the wind" and the "nobility"' of residents in the neighborhood, there are other available portions of the Belt whore objection could not be reasonably urged. There is, for instance, that present wilderness the Jubilee Park, a site which conforms itself to all the conditions laid down by the Commissioners easy ef access, well sheltered, and under the sun all day throughout the year ; being, moreover, especially advantageously situated as to drainage—a very important consideration. Should a portion of this so-called park not be available--a howl would of course be raised against the area being utilised—there is almost as good a site in T T pper Stuart street, on the Education Reserve, which might be obtained by exchange of sites with the Board. That some compromise may be arrived at between Dr Macgkegok and the delegation from the Trustees now in Wellington seems to be possible, from the tenor of our parliamentary correspondent's telegiam. We feel sorry that the Premier considers the erection of a new hospital altogether out of the question. He might, however, be induced to modify his views in this respect.