NO SCANDAL

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 7048, 9 February 1910, Page 8

NO SCANDAL

HOSPITAL ALLEGATIONS COMPLETELY EXPLAINED. CHRISTMAS PRESENTS. An allegation that presents bought for tho patients in Wellington hospital at Christmas time had been diverted to other channels was satisfactorily disposed •of yesterday at the Wellington Hospital, Trustees' mooting, when the special committee of the whole board reported as follows: — The special committee, after a searching inquiry into the statements reported by Mr Moore as .to the distribution of Christmas donations and goods belonging to the hospital, finds that there was nothing in the charges made, and an entire vindication _was made of . the responsible officials. Trustees and thoir management. The secretary was directed to obtain from the other centres particulars of the method or system, they have in dealing with, receiving, chocking and distributing stores. It was resolved that tho matron send all orders by letter and keep duplicate, and it was recommended that all stores for Nurses 1 Homo bo reverted to the old system, viz., that all orders and supply of goods should goMhrotigh the house steward. The Hon, 0. M. Luke, in presenting this report, said the was most gratifying, because the inquiry showed that it w'as impossible for such peculations to take place. The officers had been-shown to be loyal to the institution, and: rendering a kind of service ivmoh was most gratifying.. He .would, like to add that ho hod soon a comparative statement prepared by the Inspector. General of Hospitals, showing that the cost of maintaining patients in the Wellington Hospital was substantially lower than that of any other similar tion in the large centres, and tha„ the cost of tho drugs per head was also lower in Wellington. This proved that there was no room for peculation. Mr F. T. Moore, who had brought the allegations forward, said he would Uke to say it was quite true some presents were given to some old employees, but these were not of an extravagant nature, and were probably given by the proper official. Thus there was some colour for the allegation, but the presents were given in accordance with a very *°ng" established custom, and, so far as the disappearance of goods from the hospital was concerned, he was quite sure tot nothing of the sort had happened. The responsible officers had been found fc) be as competent and trustworthy as it was passible to desire. , , . Mr London explained that only two or three presents were made to tbe oia employees', and these were of, trifling value. They constituted a reminder of the festive' season from the patients to two or three employees closely associated with them.