HOSPITAL INQUIRY

Manawatu Times, Volume 62, Issue 123, 26 May 1937, Page 2

HOSPITAL INQUIRY

Magisterial Investigation Next Week MAY OPEN ON JUNE 4 Per Press Association. NAPIER, May 25. Although no statement has been made as yet by the Minister of Health, the Hon. P. Fraser, it is learned from an unofficial source that a magisterial inquiry into the administration of the Napier Public Hospital will commence in. Napier next week, Friday, June 4, ii understood to be the day selected for the opening of the investigation. No confirmation for this advice was forthcoming to-day from the Hawke’s Bay Hospital Board or the Hon. W. E. Barnard, M.P., neither having received any intimation from the Minister or Department of Health in the matter. It is believed, nevertheless, that the iu|<}uiry is to open next week, and that in all probability the presiding Magistrate will be Mr. E. D. Mosley, S.M., of Weii lington. ! In the expectation that the inquiry will occupy several days, provision is being made for a Magistrate to journey to Napier from Wellington, thus enabling Mr. J. Miller, S.M., the resident I Magistrate, to carry out the work of his circuit in the normal way. Had it been decided that Mr. Miller should preside over the magisterial inquiry, the services of an outside Magistrate would have been necessary to take charge of Coutine court work. The Magistrate, probably Mr. Mosley, is to arrive in Napier on Thursday, June 3. No Word Received. When questioned this morning, the .member for the district, Mr. Barnard, stated that he had received no word 'from the Minister. “I stated recently, however, that I was definitely of the opinion that there would be an inquiry, 'and that is still my opinion,” he said. The Hawke’s Bay Hospital Board some time ago instituted an exhaustive investigation into a number of aspects of the control and working of the Napier Public Hospital, evidence being taken for the purpose from a large number of witnesses. At the conclusion of this inquiry the evidence was for- ; warded to the Minister of Health. The board at tho same time made it clear that if the Minister considered such action desirable, it would welcome a public inquiry into the whole question. The Napier City Council also made representations to the Minister suggesting that an inquiry should be carried out, but these representations subsequently were withdrawn.