HOSPITAL TRUSTEES.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 756, 27 August 1886, Page 9

HOSPITAL TRUSTEES.

The usual fortnightly meeting of the Hospital Committee was held yesterday week in the Council Chambers. Present—Messrs F H. Fraser (chairman), Danks, Willeston, Williams, Luke, Kebbell, Dr Newman, M.H.R., Perkins, and Gaby. A letter was received from Mr G. H. Bayliss, who wrote stating that he would make an offer for the use of the brick-kiln on the Hospital reserve, if the trustees were in a position to accept his offer, It was decided that the chairman and Dr Newman wait upon the Premier in reference to the matter. At the suggestion of the House Committee, 10s per week was granted to the carpenter employed at the institution as allowance for house-rent. The Trustees went into committee to consider clauses 4 and 5 of the House Committee’s report, which recommended that the house’ steward’s salary be increased, by £25 per annum, and that the resident medical officer’s salary be increased by £IOO per annum, as his duties were made heavier by having to give weekly lectures to the nurses. Asub-committee, consisting of Messrs Fraser, Dr Newman, Williams, and KebbeJ, was appointed to inspect the hospital reserves in Tinakori-road, and report upon a. letter received from Messrs Buckley. Stafford, and Barton, on behalf of Mr Hume. A discussion took place on the subject of clause 2 of the House Committee’s report, which stated that a man named Madigan (who has been referred to at recent meetings of the Benevolent Institution) had been discharged by the medical officer for refusing to obey orders, and the case having been reported as one unfit for medical treatment, orders had been given that he should not be readmitted. Mr Williams stated that euch was incorrect, and moved that the clause should be Btruck out. The man was not discharged, but had left the institution of his own free will. He wished publicity to be gi*en to the statement that neither the doctor nor the Trustees discharged the man. In reference to the case, a letter was read from Dr Haseell (which bore out Mr Williamß’statemenfc), and stated “That Madigan had been an inmate of the institution for the last ten years. He was partially paralysed in the lower limbs, owing to spinal injuries. He had asked Madigan about a fortnight ago to do a little light work in the kitchen, such as peeling potatoes, work which he was well able to do,, but refused, complaining of a chronic pain in the back. He aaked Madigan to remain ii bed the following morning for such treatment as would have done him good. Madigai was not treated harshly, but exactly the same as t!se other patients. On August 6th hs left the Hospital,

and did not return. Two days later one of the Roman Catholic clergymen called and asked that Madigan might be taken back into the institution, but this was refused, on account of Madigan’s bad behavior and the bad example he set to other patients in the ward. Madigan had been known more than once to incite other patients to act 3 of insubordination.” After some further discussion on Mr Williams’ motion, the clause was struck out. The Treasurer acknowledged donations from Tyer’s tannery workmen of £l7 13s 6d ; Luke’s Foundry employes, £2 2s ; Levin and Co., £2 2s ; and Mr A. Wakeford, £2 23. The disposal of the collecting boxes lately supplied to the Trustees was left in the hands of Mr Fraser and Dr Newman. It was decided that the Trustees should meet at 2 o’clock cn Tuesday for the purpose of going over the reserves. The meeting then went into committee on the two clauses aforementioned. __________