Letter Most Unconvincing'

Northern Advocate, 12 January 1948, Page 4

Letter Most Unconvincing'

“This is the most unconvincing letter ever received by the board.” The chairman of the Whangarei llos-, pital Board (Mr J. A. S. Mac Kay) said this today when commening on a letter received from the local Government Commission.

The letter was a reply to the board, whtich had pointed out inaccuracies in 'the commission’s report.

The secretary of the commission (Mr F. B. Stephens) stated the question of inaccuracies had already been raised by the secretary of the joint specialist committee and a reply had been sent under the signature of the chairman (Mr Justice Goldstine). In his'i«>4ici\His Honor said he assumed from the contents of the committee secretary’s letter that it was from the joint committee, although it was on Whangarei Hospital Board paper and contained no direct reference to the committee.

‘T have to thank you for calling attention to the typographical error on page 10 of the report,” he continued. "Actually, the sentence to which the Committee takes exception, on page 10, should read: ‘The weaknesses of the joint committee scherje are patent when it is realised that the agreement itself for the withdrawal of any board after 12 months’ notice, after the first 10-year period

“WITHDRAW REPORT" The error doubtless had been due lo j the use of the two words “after” in the original of the report and the latter sentence had been omitted. His Honor said the commission was fully apprised of the fact that the agreement had a life of 10 years before any board had the right to withdraw on giving 12 months' notice. This fact was fully recognised at the hearing and was imnlicit in the crossexamination. He hoped this reply would he satisfactory. Mr Mac Kay said the commission's report also stated there was no nursing training school in Northland, and that this service could only be available under amalgamation. The commission's report in its incorrect form was being circulated throughout New Zealand, thereby giving a false impression of conditions m Northland. Mr J. F. Johnson urged that as the commission chairman had admitted its report contained certain major inaccuracies, the board would be justified in demanding that the present report j should be withdrawn. A motion to this effect was adopted. ‘