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Gisborne Times, Volume V, Issue 119, 30 May 1901, Page 4

about it. It was not a convenient time when a person was on his death-bed to have to squabble with anybody as to .whether they should have the right _to call in other assistance. That question should bo settled so that no friction could arise, and so that any patient, before an important operation was performed, or if his life was in danger, might have the benefit of the service of four skilled men. This also applied to the ."friends of a patient. Ho did not say anything against the doctor of the Hospital, but four heads were better than one. If those heads were available, why not utilise them? And they could be utilised with no additional expense to the institution. This was a delicate matter to handle. The thing was to appeal to the Council in such a manner as to warrant them in supporting the motion. They might consider that they were treading on the corns of the Hospital Trustees or the doctor. But they had not to consider this from the point of view of Trustees or doctor,: but from a public point of view, and as they personally would feel if they had friends there, and he had reason to desire to have other opinions, and that had caused'fric tion. That was not a position that they as a public body should allow to consider it. But they must confine their recommendations to their own nominees. He wished members to discuss the question, and not vote silently upon it, because he thought it was a very important matter that required consideration and care.

Cr Whinray seconded the motion, and said Cr Lysnar had made out a very strong case by showing that what he suggested obtained elsewhere. Where there were many cases of fever it was a big job for one doctor to undertake. He was very much of the opinion of Cr Lysnar that the services of the medical men should be available conjointly, so that the best results might be obtained. Cr Lysnar had put the matter very forcibly and clearly. It was a step in the right direction, and he would support the motion. ,£Cr Kennedy said since the notice of motion, he had been thihking this matter over a good deal. ■ As one of the Hospital Trustees he did not intend to discuss the motion in any way that night, but he did not think it was for the Council to criticise or discuss the actions of another local body. -The Hospital Trustees were in a better position to judge on this question than the Council. To carry the motion would practically bo passing a vote of want of confidence in the Hospital Trustees. That was the way it appeared to him. It was something amounting almost to—ho was going to say impertinence—[Crs Whinray and Lysnar : Not at all] for the Council to go so far as to solemnly meet and decide how the Hospital Board should administer hospital affairs. They were practically asked to pass a vote of censure on the trustees ; to say the administration was all wrong, and needed amendment. Cr Jones said he would not support the motion, but they might do good by discussing it. There was a good deal in what Cr Lysnar said, but they must bo careful not to interfere with the internal administration of any other local body, though if they so decided, the recommendation to their representatives would not be impertinent. If anyone took the question up and wrote to the Trustees, that would be a different matter. The whole question could then be discussed by the Trustees. As a matter of principle, it was not right for the Council to interfere with the internal management of the hospital. It was the doctor under discussion now, but if they adopted that line the Council might go on to discuss the duties of the matron, and then of the nurses — they could not say where it would end. Cr Lysnar was no doubt actuated by good motives in bringing forward the motion; still, he did not think that was the proper place or the proper time to discuss itl 1 Cr Bright said he was pleased for once to be ablo to agree with Cr Jones. The Council would be travelling out of its province to pass such a resolution. The Hospital had always been managed in an exemplary manner. No doubt, when tho size of the place required it, the Hospital Trustees would make such alterations as would be acceptable to Cr Lysnar. For the time being ho was prepared to leave the matter in the hands of tho Trustees.

Cr Harding said it was not a new question so far as the Hospital was concerned. Tho Trustees had faced this difficulty more than once.

Cr Lysnar: Where is the difficulty ? ' Cr Harding said first they had not the means to pay a resident surgeon. Cr Lysnar ; I do not propose that we should pay one. Cr Harding said there was considerable difficulty in the matter. Everything was going on at the Hospital as well as it could. The Board were now considering matters in connection with the management. He would oppose the nominees of the Council receiving directions in any form. He was sure the gentlemen appointed would do their duty to the best of their ability. Cr Hepburn quite agreed with Cr Lysnar that something of the sort ought to be done, but he would not vote that the Council make a recommendation to their delegates. He did not care about interfering with another body of men. Cr Harding had said the /Trustees had been considering the question of management, but that discussion would not do any harm,

Cr Miller said lie was sorry he could not support Cr Lysnar’s motion. He seemed to have made out perhaps a good ease; still it was a delicate matter for the Council, and he did not think it was part of the Council’s at all. If any alteration in the 'management was called for, it should be brought up at the annual meeting of subscribers to the Hospital. Cr Lysnar said he was pleased to hear Cr Harding say that the Trustees were considering the matter. Cr Harding: No ; the question of management. Cr Lysnar: But the doctor is included in that.

Cr Harding said the doctor would, no doubt, bo referred to.

Cr Lysnar said if that were so ho would not have forced his motion but for the remarks that had been made. He did not agree that this would be a vote of censure. Why, it was patent on the face of it that it was physically impossible for one man to do alHhe work of the institution (with thirty patients in it) and attend to his own practice besides. That being so why did not the Trustees see that further assistance was given to the doctor ? If the Trustees sat down and did not act in this matter, they who appointed nominees had a voice.

Cr Kennedy: To censure them. Cr Lysnar: No, not to censure. It was like a member of Parliament—if they made a recommendation to him no one thought of it as consure. They had a right to make recommendations to their nominees. A large principle was involved. It went beyond the question of internal management entirely. It did not involve one sixpence more cost. The other doctors gave their advice free. They had not got a resident surgeon at the Gisborne Hospital; yet they were paying nearly as much as if they had a resident surgeon. They could get a resident surgeon for .£2OO to £250, yet they were payj ing .£150; and then there had to be added amount for consultations and administration of chloroform. That could safely be put down at £SO. However, as the Trustees were considering the matter, he did not,wish to press the motion. Cr Kennedy said that the question of doctors was not under the consideration of the Trustees.

A dialogue ensued at this stage, Cr Lysnar beiDg repeatedly interrupted. As to the other local doctors, he said that they preferred to be kept out of the consideration of this matter as far as possible, but if it came to a change they would prefor to give their services free, and go on the honorary staff. They did not, however, wish to appear to be desirous of injuring a professional brother. His opinion was that unless there was a resident surgeon they should give some payment for the services rendered. He was sure the division of work amongst four or five medical men would be for the benefit of the patients. The patients must necessarily receive more attention,- and there might be better results. After further, discussion, a division was taken, and the motion was lost by 7 to 3. For : Crs Lysnar, Morrison, and Whin-' ray ; against : Crs Harding, Kennedy, Miller, Bright, Jones, Hepburn, and the Mayor.