COSTLEY HOME BURIALS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18532, 17 October 1923, Page 10

COSTLEY HOME BURIALS.

FULLEST INQUIRY INVITED.

REPLY TO COMPLAINT.

The incident which* was stated to have occurred ;in connection with the death of an inmate of thje/ Costley Home jwaa brought under the notice of the Hospital Board last evening, when> a further- letter' was received from the Mayor of Newmarket, Mr. S. Donaldson. /The; matter

arose out of a complaint that discourtesy was shown to a. friend of the deceased, who rang up the home ; for information

regarding the funeral arrangements. ■ In'- his letter,; received: yesterday, * Mr. Donaldson said he considered the board previous ' letter did' not answer his ' complaint. ; The action of i the "official left the impression that there were certain conditions attached to tho ; burial ; of inmates who died at the institution and ; were friendless;, with which the ' authority did not wish the public ;to bo acquainted. The board should give instructions to officials of the home to give all information desired by persons inquiring. '. - ,-... > .. . : , .. ■ The 'chairman, Mr. W. Wallace, said the ' letter was ; unworthy .of any Mayor; or .'■ of one local body to another. The board had nothing whatever; to hide, and invited I tho fullest inquiry; into the! method; ;of:t burial of Costley Homo patients. The homo was ;. now under better control than ever it had been before. .1 He was grieved that Mr. Donaldson h'ul written, in. such a manner, and that lie was labouring the matter. He could bo assured,that no discourtesy was intended. 'fixe board's officials were not; going to 'cringe or crawl to anyone, and ho . was satisfied, that the- particular official had been doing his duty. Discourtesy on the part of its officials Was not allowed by tho board.. . . ' •.'-'*••'•,■ ■Mr.' 'M/ J. Coylc' supported the chairman s/ remarks. 'The rules and regulations regarding burials wero as an open door. Ho felt there had. been; a little misunderstanding- somewhere. -; If v anyone wanted ;to '■ know anything about/ the bunals, information should be given from the office. ' jv,"/;''..-

-It -was decided to : jtakV'. no -further action. in ' the matter. ■ ' ■' ,