HOSPITAL AFFAIRS.

Greymouth Evening Star, 14 July 1934, Page 5

HOSPITAL AFFAIRS.

[to the editor.] Sir, —Allow me space in your open columns to explain just how keen the Grey River Hospital Board are apparently afraid of an enquiry, and in-

stead of asking for this “as a. large public meeting of Greymouth and district citizens demanded,” are endeavouring to drive the matter underground and still further undermine the past good work of the institution. I first wish to comment bn the wonderful move made by the Chairman, at the Board meeting on Wednesday night last, and it was no doubt very cleverly worked to have all minutes confirmed before I arrived, and thereby prevent any comments on same. The meeting is timed to commence at 7.30 p.m. I duly left my office at 7.25 p.m. for the hospital, arriving there at 7.30, and was in the Board room before 7.32. After I arrived, the Chairman congratulated Mr Mosley on being appointed to the Board in lieu of Mr Barrowman, who had resigned. Mr Mosley suitably replied. The Chairman then asked the Secretary to read the correspondence. When I asked about the confirmation of the minutes, and was told they had been confirmed, the correct time was now 7.34, just four minutes after the commencement of meeting, if commenced at the correct time. I had been in the Board room then about three minutes, at least long enough to hear the Chairman welcome Mr Mosley, and hear Mr Mosley reply. I will leave it to the public to judge if all this could take place in three minutes as I am satisfied that I entered the Board room on the tick of 7.30; a meeting to be opened in such a prompt manner and the minutes confirmed within a minute of the correct time of opening is positively unheard of during years of experience I have had on the Hospital Board. I

might mention- in passing that another member of the Board entered the grounds behind me, and entered the room the same time as I did. Just let me contrast this hurried opening of the meeting with the meeting two nights previous. I entered the hospital grounds at 7.25, and a very nice little private meeting was taking place between Mi’ Kyle, Mr Carter, and the Chairman. This little meeting was held out in the grounds, and it was ten minutes after 7.30 when the members thereof came into'' l the meeting called for 7.30. Of course Mr McTaggart may have been talking lootball or anything else, and Mr Carter may have been reporting the results of his interviews with officers of the Health Department who he accidentally had met while in Wellington a few days previous. Of course, the results of these interviews could have easily been reported to the Board in my presence, that is if there was nothing to hide. I

also hope Mr Carter did not discuss with the Health Department Officers “he accidentally met in the House of Representatives lobby’’ the matter of the inquiry asked for by that large public meeting in Greymouth. At last meeting of the Board after going into committee and all business was over, the Chairman had in his hand'a mysterious looking letter. It was written on a blue-coloured paper and he stated that he had this important letter, but did not propose to deal with it on that night. It is rather strange to me that important letters should be read privately by the Chairman, and then held by him. I want to ask the Chairman, quite openly, is this because he is unable to give an opinion of his own on these matters, and must consult Qiose who are apparently running the ’ Hospital Board, before he dare let important matters out to the Board knowing that he would then have his material for a reply ready. In regard to other mysterious letters, I leave it to the public to judge after reading the “Star’s” report of Wednesday night’s meeting as to whether the Chairman is very open in some of his answers about letters he receives and whether all the. correspondence comes before the Board in a. manner it should do. —Yours etc., F. L. TURLEY.