PATIENTS’ JEWELLERY

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXVI, Issue 236, 18 September 1936, Page 8

PATIENTS’ JEWELLERY

Ring Returned to Owner After 28 Years

BELONGINGS NOT SOLD By Telegraph—Press Association. INVERCARGILL, Sept. 17. The publicity that has been given to allegations that hospital boards in New Zealand have sold jewellery belonging to patients who died in the institutions had a sequel at the meeting of the Southland Hospital Board to-day, when a letter was received from, a North Island resident as follows:—

“On reading remarks made at a meeting of your board, I noticed that a collection of jewellery is in your possession and I hope that U ring of my father's, who died in your hospital as far as I can remember 25 years ago, may be returned to me. My mother told me that my father wore the ring when he died, but she missed it from his finger afterwards and, on inquiries at the office, was told that it was kept to help pay his maintenance. If it is in your collection I would be very pleased to have it.”

The secretary, Mr T. Pryde, produced the ring and with it a silver watch and chain. The latter had a locket attached and this contained a photograph and a lock of hair. The label carried the date “April 15, 1908.” A member: That means it has been kept for 28 years. That will let Dr. McMillan see that we don’t sell our patients’ jewellery. It was decided to return the ring and chain to the applicant.