HOSPITAL STORES

Northern Advocate, 3 May 1935, Page 8

HOSPITAL STORES

ALLEGED LOSS OF LIQUOR DUNEDIN STATEMENT ; / [Special to *'Northern Advocate.’"] DUNEDIN, This Day. Mr. F. Jones, M.P., a member of the Hospital Board, in a public address referred to alleged loss of stores at the public hospital, stating that investigation had revealed that the greatest loss had been in respect to spirituous liquors. ■Today, Mr. W. E. Knight, chairman of the board, said it was ■ true that some brandy had gone missing, but the source of trouble had been rectified, and the whole system tightened up. There was no suggest tion as to how the liquor had gone missing, and no proof was available. It was not for the board to say that the supply of liquor to the' 1 hospital should be cut down. If the recommendation were to be taken, it should first of all come from medical men. Dr. Newlands, a member of’ the board, stated that there had been a tendency to cut down the supply of liquor at hospitals. However, there had been no drastic changes here. During the past few years an extensive drop was noticeable in comparison with 20 years ago. Whisky had been specially cut out, but there might have been a need to put in a requisition to add to the existing stocks. The medical superintendent was quite satisfied that the alcohol used was the normal quantity for the hospital. Years ago, proper records had not been kept. Discrepancies had been noted two years ago, and since then there had been nothing wrong with the records. He was satisfied that what was used was hot in excess.