THE WAIRAU HOSPITAL.

Marlborough Express, Volume XXXVI, Issue 158, 9 July 1902, Page 2

THE WAIRAU HOSPITAL.

TO TIIE EDITOR.

Sir,—The last letter of Mr Griffiths, published in your issue of the 7th inst., sums up the position in what appears to me .to be an unanswerable manner. I am glad he has given such a logical reply to the many baseless aspersions which have been floating round town and appearing in the public press lately. It seems to me, Sir, that certain individuals in Blenheim have " axes to grind," and are anxious for the public to set to work and turn the grindstono for them. But I fancy the public have got their weather eyes open, and are not going to get excited over the management of a public institution which they have every confidence is being run in the best interests of the community. Mr Shaw had every confidence himself in the Wairau Hospital a year or two ago, when he had the contract to supply drugs to that institution, but now that the Board, in the interests of economy, import their own drugs, thereby ensuring the purest article at the cheapest rate, we find a hue and cry is being raised about the management generally. As Mr Griffiths has plainly pointed out, there must of necessity be one responsible Hospital Surgeon (and one only) else confusion would reign supreme. If any doctor was allowed to usurp the position and dutie3 of the regular Medical Officer, who would be responsible if anything went wrong? The idea of divided control is too ridiculous to entertain for one moment, and needs no argument. All this fuss and bother is being raised by two or three interested indMduals, and they certainly are making some noise. It is possible, however, to make a good deal of noise if you put half a-dozen peas in a tin-can and shake it vigorously. That is practically what is being done now, but the agitators make a huge mistake if they think the public are going to dance to their music—l am, etc.,

Disinterested.