HOSPITAL BOARD VACANCY

New Zealand Times, Volume XLIX, Issue 11251, 1 July 1922, Page 7

HOSPITAL BOARD VACANCY

DR HERBERT APPOINTED. LABOUR ENTERS A PROTEST. The appointment by the City Council, at its meeting on Thursday, of Dr Herbert to fill the vacancy on the Hospital Board created through the death of 3Tr IS. H. Underwood—announced in yesterday’s “Times’’—was vehemently protested against by the Labour members. The decision was arrived in committee, and when the council resumed in open meeting, at about 1.30 a.m., and proceeded to confirm the business transacted, Councillor Pj Fraser moved as an amendment that the action bo disagreed with. He pointed out, that the council had already established the precedent in such an emergency of electing the highest unsuccessful candidate at the previous election. He referred to the decision as a mean and contemptible attempt to keep a Labour member out of power. He would go so far as to say it was a dishonourable action. Upon Councillor M. F. Luckie raising a point of order, the Mayor (Mr R. A. Wright, M.P.) asked Councillor Fraser to withdraw the remark. After some hesitation, he complied. Councillor Fraser said he saw no reason for a departure from the former procedure. Seconding the amendment, Councillor C. H. Chapman maintained that tho action had been taken purely because Air McKenzie, the- highest defeated candidate on the list, was a Labour man. Tho Alayor (Air R. A. Wright, AI.P.) spoke of the value to the hoard of a medical man. The appointment of Dr Herbert would preserve the balance on the board. - After further discussion, the amendment was iost by 11 rotes to 3, Councillors Fraser, C. H. Chapman, and J. Burns being the supporters.