STIMULANTS AT THE HOSPITAL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXVI, Issue 11058, 9 May 1899, Page 5

STIMULANTS AT THE HOSPITAL.

ANOTHER BREEZY DISCUSSION. THE METHOD OF SUPPLYING LIQUOR. The subject of " medical comforts," which always seems to provide the Auckland Hospital' mid Charitable Aid Board with a peg on which to hang a spirited discussion, was before the Board onco more at its usual peeling, held yesterday afternoon, and the spirited discussion was not wanting. The secretary (Mr. H. N. Garland) laid on the table a list of supplies to be tendered for during 1899-1900, and mentioned that, as usual, all the articles required, with the exception of wines and spirits, were included. Mr. Jamieson: Why not wines and spirits? Mr. Garland explained that the reason given was that if wines and spirits were worth giving, the very best should be given. Mr. Jamieson suggested that as this "stuff" was given as a medicine, it should be tendered foi with the drugs, and supplied by ths wholesale drug merchants. Mr. Wilson : They can't tender for it. Mr. Allen assured the Board that, it was a surprise to him to find that the liquor iras not tendered for. With regard to Mr. Garland's explanation, Mr. Allen said it was just as necessary for the milk and butter to be good, and why not get them privately, and not by tender, if the former to the way to get the best articles? Mr. Taylor: Who has the supply of this article? The Chairman (Mr. Stichbury): Mr. Eidd. J Mr. Taylor : Foi how long? The Chairman : For several years before the five I have been on the Board. Mr. Taylor: Who owns this hotol? The Chairman: That is an impertinent question. Mr. Taylor: I don't think so. lam asking these questions in the interests of the public. The Chairman: I shall refuse to answer it. I don't think it is right for you to ask this impertinent question. Mr. Taylor: I am simply getting information for the public. It does not add to the dignity of anyone on the Board to refuse tu answer this.

The Chairman: Excuse me, I maintain it is irapertine.it. The imputation of the question Mr. Tayloi has just asked is that I being interested in this hotel have been the means of getting this liquor bill for the hotel. It is no such thing. I will ask the secretary to tell you when Mr. Kidd got this order. It was given before ever I came on the Board.

ilr. Garland said Mi*. Kidd began to amply in April, 1893. Mr. Taylor (to the Board) : I want you to know that I don't connect the chairman in the way that he lias imputed. I will now move, "That as it is contrary to the law governing the regulations of hospitals to purchase goods of more than £10 in value, without being tendered for, tenders be now purely called for the supply of wines, spirits, beer, and other liquors, as from June 1 next, until March 31, 1900, and that they be tendered for each year after that, instead of being supplied as during the last five years, without having been tendered for, this beins; in contravention of the Hospital and Charitable Aid Act of 1885."

The Chairman : If you simply move that tenders be called for, it will be sufficient. It is unnecessary to go into that rigmarole. One of the members thought that the Board should specify what brands of liquors should be supplied. Mr. Bruce (who said he had been a waterdrinker all his life) : I object to that Mr. Chairman. I don't know any more about "brands" than that ink bottle. (Laughter.) Mr. Warren questioned whether the Board had purchased more than £10 worth of liquor at a time. Dr. Baldwin, the medical superintendent, said it was purchased just as it was required. The Chairman : There is no need for Mr. Taylor to go in for half a sheet of foolscap to hold his motion. I have no objection to tenders being called. I will tell you the advantages 01 getting it from Mr. Kidd. He is noted for having the best of brands. Mr. Friend : Hear, hear. I can testify to that. (Laughter.) The Chairman went on to say that the prices charged were fair and reasonable. As long as that was the case and the stuff was good, the chairman had been agreeable to Mr. Kidd supplying it. He (the chairman) did not do so because he was interested in the hotel. Mr. Allen said he knew as well as everyone else on the Board that Mr. Kidd would supply the very best quality, but the principle they were contending for was contracting. The Chairman, as an amendment, moved "That tenders be called for wines, spirits, and beer, for the next 12 months." Mr. Warren seconded. Mr. Becroft objected to the latter part of Mr. Taylor's motion. He did not believe that the new members of the Board should be blamed for the faults of past boards. Mr. Jamieson thought Mr. Taylor should fake his share of the blame. He was on tho Board the previous year when Tenders wero sailed, and why did he not raise his voico then ? -»r. Taylor : I was on the Finance Committee. Mr. Jamieson : That is not my fault. T think Mr. Taylor is going a little too far on this question of liquor. -Mr. Wilson said he would like to see everything tendered for. Now that the matter had been so pointedly drawn attention to he thought Mr. Taylor should withdraw Ins motion, and they could bury the little tommy-hawk." The amendment was then put and adopted, all voting for it except Mr. Taylor, Mr Bruce, and Mr. Allen.