KIWITEA DISSATISFIED

Manawatu Times, Volume XLIX, Issue 2306, 26 November 1925, Page 6

KIWITEA DISSATISFIED

M iOSPETAIi board inquiry. CANDID COMMENT BY COUNCILLORS. At the Kiwitea County Council meeting yesterday Cr W. Hair made a spirited protest against the method and finding of the recent Hospital Board inquiry into the allegations made by a Kiwitea County farmer, Mr Scott, whose wife had been a

patient in the hospital. Cr. Hair said all Mr Scott desired to know was whether he was treated in the same way as other patients. He wished to know whether he was obliged to supply particulars of his income his mortgage, and number of cows and pigs he held and further whether he was obliged to state the name of a reputable ratepayer of Kiwitea County by way of a guarantee. He simply required to know whether it t was correct that his wife, being a South Island lady and having resided in the district for five months was compelled to go to a South Island institution for an operation. He had nothing to gain in any shape or form by asking this information. Cr. Hair did not think the secretary of the Hospital was one of the defendants and yet he was apparently judge, jury and the whole Board, and it appeared that he had the whole say. This did not appear right and he questioned the system by which the evidence was tendered at the inqu In the speaker’s opinion the Board was simply concerned about its staff and was endeavouring to protect it. Mr Scott stated that the secretary was not in the office and yet both the secretary and his assistant staged that he was. The Board did not appear to consider Mr Scott s position at all but was only perturbed about the staff. . ~, „ i As to Mr Bramwell s remark that Mr Scott should be grateful, Cr Hair could not see what he had to be grateful for. He paid for the services and never quibbled about payment, or asked for a reduction. Surely there was no need to consider the Hospital in the light of a charitable institution. If it was not paying they should increase the foes Another matter was that, the secretary had said that only one out of every ten who promised to pay, paid, which was certainly a reflection on ninety per cent of the patients in the institution. This was indeed a very scathing indictment of the publics veracity and was contrary to tne speaker’s lengthy experience. In conclusion, Or Hair said that the inquiry was altogether tory. Sir James Wilson, the chairman had stated that the Board welcomed Inquiries, but this did not appear correct when the Kiwitea c°uni ty Council bad to battle for > months to get the Bryce nquiry go- • ing. That inquiry cost between fSOO ■ and £9OO to the country. ! c r .Hair paid a high tribute to 1 the integrity of Mr Scott. The Chairman (Cllr. L. T. McLean

considered the evidence was not at all • satisfactory- Both Mr Scott, and . brother were certain beyond am doubt that the secretary was not in the room when the question v of the f admission of Mrs Scott was being dis--1 “other Councillors; added their comI ment, each expressing ’ at the manner in which the inquiry 1 had been conducted.