NEW CHAIRMAN

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22447, 17 June 1936, Page 14

NEW CHAIRMAN

THE HOSPITAL BOARD

REV. W. C. WOOD ELECTED DEFEAT OF MR. W. WALLACE MARGIN OF ONE VOTE By *six votes to five, the Auckland. Hospital Board yesterday elected the | Rev. W. C. Wood to bo its chairman j for the ensuing two years. Mr. W. Wal- | lace, who has occupied the position coh- | tinuotisly for the past 18 years, was de- j featcd. Mr. Wood, who is vicar of Papa- J kura, has been a member of the board for seven years. He was for a time chairman of the board's House Cpmmittee, now abolished, and for the past 12 months he has been chairman of the Relief Committee. J When the board met yesterday, the secretary, Mr. H. A. Sommerville, called for nominations for the chairmanship, j Mrs. M. M. Dreaver pointed out that one member, Dr. J. P. Hastings, j was absent. She asked that the election | bo deferred until a full board was present. Mr. W.. W. Mulholland ob- j jected, but Mrs. Dreaver was given an . opportunity to try to communicate with Dr. Hastings by telephone. Mixed Feeling When Mrs. Dreaver returned and stated that she had not been successful, the election proceeded. Mr. Wallace was nominated by Mr. E. H Potter and Mr. G. T. Parvin, and Mr. Wood by Dr. E. B. Gunson and Mr. J. Waddell. On a secret ballot being taken, Mr. Wood was declared elected by six votes to five. Mr. Wallace vacated the chair and Mr.. Wood took hLs place. "I am sure that I speak for all «the members of the board when I say that our feelings are somewhat disturbed by the result of the election," said Mr. Wood. "My own feelings are jnixed; 1 am naturally gratified at being elected, but it is disturbing to know that it has involved the loss of the position by Mr. Wallace. I was reluctant to let my name go forward, but I did so for reasons which are known to you." Mr. Wood added that he would endeavour to discharge his duties faithfully and well. He realised that he had a heavy task in following one who had been associated with hospital administration for so many years, but he was sure that he would have the loyal cooperation and support that* had been accorded to his predecessor. He wished again to express his regret at the effect which the result of the election must have upon the feelings of Mr. Wallace and those who had voted for him. Long Service Praised Dr. Hastings, who had arrived in the meantime, asked why the election had been held without a full meeting. Mr. Wood: The meeting was called for two o'clock. Efforts were made to get into touch with you by telephone, and it was then decided to continue the proceedings without more delay. Dr. Hastings: It. should be a matter for a full board. Mr. Wood: The full board should be present at" two o'clock. Later, just before the close of' the meeting, the new chairman moved that the board place on record its sincere appreciation of the long and distinguished service rendered by Mr. Wallace and that he be asked to allow an enlarged photograph of himself to be hung with those of other chairmen iu the board room.

The motion was seconded bv Sir. J. Waddell. Mr. Potter said that Mr. Wallace as chairman had had to meet three critical periods, those of the Great War, the influenza epidemic of 1918 and the depression. He had encountered criticism, but no man had rendered greater service to the hospital and the people of Auckland. It was unfortunate that his period of office had been ended for the present. Mr. Wallace's Thanks

Mr. Potter recalled that in the influenza epidemic Mr. Wallace had worked day and night, going into many homes, and it was strange he passed through the ordeal alive. The people of Auckland and the board owed him a debt that could never be repaid. Mrs. Dreaver and Dr. Hastings expressed their regret at Mr. Wallace's defeat. The motion was carried Mr. Wallace, in thanking the board, said his work had always been a labour of love, and he felt amply repaid by the appreciation which people had often expressed to him, particularly of his efforts to help the "bottom dog." It was perhaps due to this feeling that until last year he had always been returned at the top of tho poll. He had not done with tho board, and he hoped to remain a member of it for a while yet. "I hope you will have a happy and pleasant time in the chair," added Mr. Wallace, addressing. Mr. Wood. "If I can assist you at any time I shall be only too pleased to do so." (Applause.)

WHEN VOTES ARE EQUAL DECISION MADE BY LOT Choice of its chairman by chance was narrowly averted by the Hospital Board yesterday. Had Dr. J. P. Hastings been present and had his vote gone to Mr. Wallace, there would have been an equal number of votes for each of the two candidates for the office. The procedure in such cases is laid down in the Hospitals and Charitable Institutions Act, which provides that the election is to bo determined by lot in such manner as the board may direct.