MISSING MONEY

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXIII, 10 January 1929, Page 3

MISSING MONEY

HOSPITAL PATIENT’S STATEMENT

At yesterday’s meeting of the Nelson Hospital Board a letter was received Irpm ait ex-patient, \ylio is also an old. age pensioner, regarding a sum, of £2O whirl! tile writer said he had put. in a pocket of his clothes the day before he was taken to the hospital ami that the money subsequently could not be found. While the writer was staying at a boardinghouse in the city ho took seriously ill -suddenly and was taken to tire hospital in the ambulance. Two of the hospital attendants were with him, and when ho arrived at the institution one of them undressed him and gave him a bath, lie did not think to ask about his money, but presumed it would be all right. Hu had bought certain things thinking lie would be able to pay for them, and lie asked the board if it could do something for him. Statements from the two attendants mentioned above were read, also one from the nurse who looked after the patient and checked his clothing. A special report was also put in by Dr. Low, who said that although ho did not think the pocketbook containing the money could have gone astray in the hospital, yet the nurse should have asked the patient if he had any valuables.

The chairman - pointed out that the writer of the letter said he remembered putting the money in the pocket of his coat the day before he was taken to the hospital. The chairman did not think for one moment that the money ever came to the hospital. After further discussion it was resolved that a reply to the letter be sent stating that tlie board having made investigation was satisfied that the money never came into the building, nor into the. possession of anyone connected with the hospital, but that under the circumstances the board would refund £5 out of the old age pension instalments previously deducted in accordance with the usual practice.