KUMARA HOME

Greymouth Evening Star, 27 June 1922, Page 5

KUMARA HOME

BOARD AND MASTER. A RE-HEARING SUGGESTED. (Special to “Star”). HOKITIKA, June 27. A special meeting of the Westland Hospital Board was held last night to discuss the question of holding an enquiring into the alleged assault on an inmate of the Kumara Old Men’s Home. Those present were: Messrs J. J. Breeze (chairman), H. Blank, W. Jeffries, R. Burrell, and J. Ritchie. Mr W. H. Batson, the master also attended.

The chairman invited Mr Batson to make an explanation. This he did, denying absolutely that he struck Ireland. He said that for some time previous he had had trouble with Ireland on account of his drinking and had threatened to have a prohibition order taken out against him. On May 25, \his attention had been called to Ireland’s condition and he (Batson) drew his wife’s attention to Ireland’s condition. Batson outlined the events of the evening and declared emphatically that he did not strike Ireland.

Mr Blank said he had the press report of the Court proceedings before him, and he asked Batson if all the witnesses were speaking untruths, when they said Ireland was not drunk, had not taken drink for two years, etc. Dr Daniel’s last report to the Board was read, and it referred to Ireland’s frequent intoxication. Mr Jeffries considered that the matter should have been first reported to the Board by the master (Mi’ Batson). Mr Burrell said the assault had been reported to him as the Kumara representative on the Board, but he thought it was one of those affairs which -so often ended in nothing, and he waited to report it at the Board meeting to have been held in a few days. In the meantime Batson was summoned. Mr Jeffries said that if Batson were wrongfully convicted the Board could not assume the role of a court. If Batson had sufficient evidence to show that he had been wrongfully convicted he should apply for a rehearing. The Board could not. hold an enquiry in order to whitewash the conviction. Why did not Batson bring the evidence he said he possessed on the day of the Court’s enquiry? All’ Batson said that he had no idea such lies would be told. Mr Ritchie agreed with Mr Jeffries, that Mr Batson should have made use of his witnesses. The chairman said that Mr Batson had committed an error of judgment in not reposing the matter straight to the Board. Mr Batson should always remember that he was entrusted with a great responsibility. Mr Jeffries (to Mr Batson) with emphasis : How did Ireland get that black eye ? The chairman interjecting: I have had black eyes. Mr Jeffries: So have I, but I always knew how I got them.

Mr Batson said that he could not say how Ireland got the black eye; he may have fallen against something, for the black eye was not noticed till the next morning.

Air Jeffries said that the Board had not only a great responsibility to the staff, but to the inmates and people of the Dominion. Mr Batson should be given an opportunity to dear himself, but if the black eye was obtained, as the evidence in the conviction declared, then the Board had a serious duty to perform. In order to give Batson a chance he would move that the Board adjourn for a fortnight, during which time Air Batson must apply for a rehearing and get his witnesses together.

Air Batson stated that previously the Fjoajxl find inquired |nto other charges that had been made against him, but it had been proved there had been nothing in them. Air Burrell endorsed this.

The motion was carried