“MALICIOUS RUMOURS”

Grey River Argus, 20 May 1938, Page 7

“MALICIOUS RUMOURS”

Protest Lodged HOSPITAL BOARD CHAIRMAN. (Per Press Association.] NEW PLYMOUTH, May IS. A vigorous protest at what he termed a campaign of calumny waged against him in New Plymouth with highly malicious and slanderous rumours was made by Mr P. E. Stainton when he was nominated for re-election as chairman of the Taranaki Hospital Board. The Board repudiated the suggestion that there was any truth in any of the rumours, and Mr Stainton was re-elected chairman unopposed. “Before the matter is even considered by the Board,” said Mr Stainton, “I feel duty bound to bring to your attention the attitude of citizens as expressed in the polling figures last Wednesday, and the freely current rumours that I believe were largely the cause of the people’s verdict. If there is a semblance of belief on the part of Board members that there is any truth in these rumours, it is your bounden duty to appoint someone else to the important and responsible position of chairman. As this is the only opportunity of doing so I am compelled to make a brief reference to these rumours which, in some cases, have been highly slanderous,” he said. “Were they even partly correct I have no right to occupy any public position whatsoever. I have been charged, for instance, that by some mysterious method of collusion I have intluenced Board members to agree to members of the hospital staff going to England against the interests of the hospital and the ratepayers; that by another mysterious method I received reward for contracts let by the Hospital Board, and that I was party to the petrol shortages of the New Plymouth Borough Council’s tramway depot. “It has been openly stated that investigations were not proceeded with by the police because they found I was implicated. During the past five years I have filled the position of chairman of this Board to the best of my ability and without fear or favour to anyone. I have no alternative but to register my protest at the campaign of calumny to which I have been a victim and to invite anyone to come forward and substantiate the rumours that were current."

“We have often disagreed." said Mr J. Gibbs, when he nominated Mr Stainton, “but I am the first to acknowledge his proven ability.” He was sure the Board had had no chairman who was more brilliant, put more time into the work, and was more tactful.

It would be impossible to find a fairer and morre impartial man than Mr Stainton, said Mr A. J Brennan.