PADS AND PURSES.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVI, Issue 14192, 15 October 1906, Page 5

PADS AND PURSES.

LITERARY CURIOSITY IN REPORTS [From Our Correspondent.] WELLINGTON, October 13. The annual report of . the InspectorGeneral of Hospitals came in for a rough buffeting in the House late last evening. Mr Gray (Christchurch North), discussing the hospitals’ vote, said that the Inspector-General’s reports were becoming more farcical every year. He was thoroughly disgusted with the method of inspection, and thought it time that the colony, had an updo-date officer. Mr Hogg (Masterton) said it had been well-known for some years that the Inspector-General’s reports had been of a most erratic character, and he would like to see them embalmed among the curiosities of literature. The officer had mistaken his function as Inspector of Hospitals, and had inspected the nurses and matrons instead. (Laughter.) The Minister should mildly rebuke him, and tell him that while he remained in the service, which might not-,be for long, he should pay a little more attention to his legitimate duties, end eliminate pads and purses from his reports. Such things might be very well for a matrimonial agent, but for a man. supposed to have common-sense, he’ was playing the game a little too low down.

Mr Gray said that the Christchurch Hospital had borne a very good reputation for years, and the reflections cast upon, the matron and nurses in the report were quite undeserved. He moved to reduce the hospital vote by £l, as an indication of this opinion. ' A division was taken without further’ discussion, and the motion was lost by 21 voteo to 16.