A MATRON’S PENSION.

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XIV, Issue 235, 11 September 1924, Page 4

A MATRON’S PENSION.

SOUTHLAND BOARD’S PARSIMONY. (Per Press Association). Wellington, Sept. 11. The Minister of Health has ascertained that there is no legal power to make a deduction from the subsidy to the Invercargill hospital., which was threatened if the board refused to grant the matron a pension of £lOO per annum. The Minister has, therefore, agreed to the board’s offer of £5O for four years. It is understood claims of this nature are receiving the attention of the Cabinet.(Press Association).

“After lengthy correspondence with the Southland Hospital Board in regard to inducing members to give suitable recognition of the services of the late matron, Miss Ewart, who has retired after 23 years' service, the Health Department has now taken decisive action,” said a Press Association message from Wellington on July Bth last. “In Feburuary last the board decided against granting a pension to Miss Ewart, and carried a resolution that she be given instead leav* of absence for eighteen months on full pay. “The Director-General of Health wrote to the board expressing the hope that it could see its way to grant her a pension for her long devoted services to the hospital, and a few weeks ago the Department nicTicated that if the board granted a pension of £2 per week it would gladly pay its contribution by way of subsidy. The Minister (Sir Maui Pomare) expressed the opinion that the board might well make a grant and suggested a retiring allowance at the rate of £lOO per annum.

“The board replied that it could not see its way to vary the previous decision, and a decisive step has now been taken by the Minister, who has informed the Southland Board that, in view of the decision not to adequately recognise the services of the retired, matron, the necessary steps will be taken to adjust the Government subsidy to the beard in such a way that an annuity of £lOO shall be provided for Miss Ewart.”