The Gisborne Times PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING MONDAY, OCTOBER 28, 1907.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2222, 28 October 1907, Page 2

The Gisborne Times PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING MONDAY, OCTOBER 28, 1907.

HOSPITAL ADiMINISTEiATION. The letter which is published in our correspondence columns this morning over the signature of Mr. .Lillies O’Dowd tells a pitiful story that should arouse a feeling of sorrow and of indignation in the breast of every Gisborne resident. Unless the facts as set forth by the unhappy lather can be disproved, a terrible indictment lias been made out against- the hospital staff, and against every individual who is ill any way concerned in the control of that very much mismanaged institution. According to the version of our correspondent, Iris fad lias lost Ids Jeg- through improper treatment at the hospital, and mis also the victim of heartless cruelty in being turned adrift from the institution and allowed to walk homo on a leg that was so bad that a few days later three doctors agreed to aimpuH ite it ns the only means of saving liis life. Nlr. O’Dowd tells his story in a simple, direct manlier, refraining from comments, and displaying none of the indignation he may well feel, until, in his closing sentence, lie passionately asks: “If there is a God Almighty He will see into this?” His despairing query may well he paraphrased thus: “If there is any sense of justice and decency in the people of Gisborne will they hike steps to stop the occurrence of such things in our public hospital?” Por the reinitiation of the hospital staff, for the reputation of the Board, and for the sake of the people of Gisborne, we sincerely trust that an effective answer may bo found to the charges made by our correspondent. It- is just possible that in the indignation, natural .and excusable in a parent who lias suffered as he has done, lie may have exaggerated sonio incident, or that lie may have been misinformed on some points, but there is certainly matter here that demands a public inquiry. Unless James O’Dowd’s statement can he disproved in its essential particulars -the public should not only demand an entire reorganisation of ■the hospital staff, but also of the -Board itself. There are on that body some- worthy individuals, and •the motives of all are probably beyond reproach, but t-lie hard fact remains that they have proved absolutely incompetent to carry out the trust reposed in them. 55'0 admit they have had a difficult task in endeavoring to cope with the jealousies that unfortunately abound even in the highest professions, but there can be no possible excuse for the deplorable results of their failure.