TWELVE MONTHS LEAVE

Greymouth Evening Star, 25 February 1920, Page 5

TWELVE MONTHS LEAVE

FOR HOSPITAL MATRON.

WITHOUT SALARY

BOARD DISCUSSION.

.„„At\,today's meeting of, , the Grey Hospital and Charitable Aid BoardMr. J. McCarthy presiding—the Matron, Miss S. Kitto applied for twelve months leave of absence. The matron's letter read;—'T herewith desire to know whether, you will grant •me twelve months' leave of absence .from my. duties as matron, providing I can secure you a competent substitute to carry on'the duties during my absence. I shall have completed nine years in the employ of the Board on March Ist and had intended asking for this concession after completing ten years in your service, but piivaus reasons concerning my homo have made it necessary for mo lo ask for leave a little earlier than I had anticipated. Trusting for a favourable reply." The Chairman moved that the letter should be received. Mr. Skoglund moved that the matron' should be granted 12 months' leave of absence.

Mv. Irvine : Before you do that let us know the conditions.

The Chairman: I was just thinking

Mr. Williams : What is your object for moving that, Mr. Skoglund.

Mr. Skoglund : I think after nine service that the Board must be satisfied with her work. The Chairman : Do you think she is quite worthy. Mr. Skoglund : Yes. The Chairman- Do you move that the matron should have twelve months leav.o on full pay? We do not intend that.

Mr. Skoglund : Wo shall have 1.0 replace the matron and J move wo should grant the matron 12 months' leave of absence/on half pay.' Mr. llan 11 an seconded. Mr. Irvine: I cannot see tli.it this Board is in a sufficiently financial position to afford to give her half pay. • The Chairman : The Board will have to pay a substitute. We have no objection to her having the 12 months' leave: Mr. Greaney : I am in favour of giving her leave without pay. .Mr. Cottle: So am I. Mr. Williams. In the event of the Board not being satisfied with the appointment made by the matron how do we get on? The Board should make the appointment. I do not knew that Ave would be altogether satisfied with her selection. It may be so but 1 think that her successor should be appointed by the Board. Secondly I am not in favour of granting the matron any salary at all while she is on leave.

The Chairman : T think it is the- intention of the matron to submit, the name of her intended substitute to the Board. She is looking for a, suitable person and when she. finds that person she will submit the name. The Medical Superintendtnt: She suggested Sister Drewitt. The Chairman: The "Matron is herself trained and would not appoint j)nrone and ignore the Board. Mr. Cottle:' I suggest that the appointment should be made by the Board.

Mr. Irvine: I think that the matron would recommend a suitable person.

Mr. Williams : There is no doubt about her coming back? Dr. Johnston : Oh no, she is coming back.

Mr. Williams: I thought the kW might he to push someone into the job. It was decided to grant the matron leave of absence for twelve months 'without nav; Messrs" Skoglund and Hnnnan being the only mem hern to vote against tho- latter proposal.