HOSPITAL AND CHARITABLE AID BOARD.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 15040, 13 January 1911, Page 2

HOSPITAL AND CHARITABLE AID BOARD.

The monthly meeting of the Otago Hospital and Charitable Aid Board, held last night, was attended by Messrs J. H. Walker (chairman), W. Wilkinson, S. S. Myers, J. 11. F. Ha-mel, J. Loudon, W. T. Talboy3, R. Tcmpleton, J. J. Clark, and H. M. Ewing. Apologies for absenco were received from Messrs H. M. Driver, V. E. S. Knight, and W. Blackie. CORRESrONDENGE. C. E. Ecast wrote resigning hi 3 position, as a member of tho board'.—The resignation was accepted, and the board expressed its thanks to Mr Koast for his services while ho was a member. J. Scott, lion, treasurer of the Christmas Bowling Tournament Committee, wrote forwarding five guineas as a donation to the Hospital funds.—The donation was received with thanks. The Secretary of the North Canterbury Board wrote forwarding for tho board's consideration a resolution passed at its last meeting urging on the Government the necessity for the founding of a State school for dofectire girls and a State home for women of feeble mind, with power of detention in each case.—Referred , to the Benevolent Committee, the letter to be further considered at next meeting of the board. RESIGNATION OF NURSES. Miss B. Smith wrote resigning her position as matron of the Fever Hospital.— Tho Chairman said ho was extremely sorry that they were losing the services of Miss Smith. She had always carried out her duties efficiently and faithfully, and tho board had boon under a great obligation to her for continuing in her sphere of work on many occasions under great distress to herself. The board hoped that during her retirement Miss Smith would fully recover her health, Ho moved—" That Mira Smith's resignation bo accepted with deep regret."—The motion was carried

Miss A. Morgan wrote resigning her position as head nurso irr tho Chronio Ward at tho Bevevolcnt Institution.—Mr Talboys said Miss Morgan's resignation was duo to ill-health. Sho had always eiven great satisfaction in carrying out hero duties.— The resignation was accepted with regret. Miss Fraser wrote resigning her position as matron of the Dunedin Hospital. She thanted tho board and the trustees of past years for their many kindnesses to her. To tho members of tho hon. medical staff, past and present, and to the modical superintendent, she wished to express her thanks for their courtesy and hearty co-operation , . To the general public she also extended her tha-nfes for the' kindly interest and many expressions of sympathy with her work, which had been very cheering and encouraging. She also thanked tho nursing staff, past and present, who had, with very few exceptions, helped to ease her burden and make her work a pleasure.— Mr Loudon moved—"That this board desires to place on record ils sincere regret at tlio resignation , of Miss Frasor as matron of tho Dunedin Hospital, and the reasons prompting it, aftor her many ycara of honourable and faithM service, and that the commi'tee report to the next mooting as to tho best means of making somo suitable permanent recognition of hor labours in tho Dunedin Hospital and in tho interests of nursing generally." Miss Fraser had been a meat devoted and loyal matron. Sho had practically organised the whole system of nursing without, in the first plate, having anything to guide- hor, atfd that hoi" success had boon great was evident i all through the Dominion, for nurses trained in the Dunedin Hospital held a high place in any part of New Zealand 1 . He would not go into the reasons prompting Miss Frafer's resignation; they had been fully KOiio into already. It was o'nly right now, after Miss Prater's 19£- years' service, that something- should be done to ffivo hor name a lasting placo in connection with the Hospital.—Mr Myers, as one who voted for the appointment of Miss Fraser to tho position o'f matron about 20 years ago, said he had pleasure in supporting the remarks offi-Mr Loudon.—The Chairman expressed his very deep regret that Miss Fraser had thought it advisable to send in her resignation. Miss Frasor deserved , the heartiest thanks, not only, of tho board , , but of tho comnmnity ; for "the excellent work sho had done in 'connection ■ vjvith the Hospital. —The motion was carried.

Miss A. Veitch wrote resigning her position as acting matron at tho Dunedin Hospital.—Mr Loudon moved that the resignation be accepted with sincere :regret. Miss Vciteh had not informed tho board of the reasons that had led her to resign.—Tho motion was agroed to. ... THE RECENT " SCANDAL." 6

Nino sisters of tho Hospital wrote stating that, now the recent contretemps had finished, they desired to place on record that they deeply deplored that their minor grievances had been unwarrantably magnified into the naturo of a Hospital scandal, for which there was no justification. They had every conlidence in tho Hospita-1 Committee making any readjustments which must necessarily arise from time to time in a progressive institution. They wished to point, out that the greatest grief had bosn caused to Mi6s Fraser by a certain special statement which appeared in the Otago Daily Times, and which was supported later by Nutsc Woodward, and was proved by Miss Mac Lean to bo a cruel and false insinuation against the matron— an opinion with which they all concurred. They would like to know if this statement had been withdrawn by Miss Woodward prior to lipr reinstatement, as they intended to writp to her asking her to apologise to Miss Fraser. Mr Loudon moved that the letter bo received. The Hospital Committee had agreed, in regard to this matter, to refer it to him to draft a reply setting out tne position to tho nurses. Tho statement referred to was that Miss Fraser .had refused permission to pereons to visit dying relatives. That statement wa-s contained in a letter signed by a "Do as You Would be Done By," and in the letter sent by Miss Woodward to the board she said that the statements in this letter were true. But it was only fair to Miss Woodward to say that her solicitor, who drafted tho letter, said it was not supposed to cover that particular statement. Later, when Miss Woodward appeaord bofore ths committee, she was asked the question, and she said she had told the reporter she could not speak as to that particular question, and the reporter had confirmed her statement. He (Mr Loudon) had drafted a reply eotting out the position to tho nurses. Tho letter was received, and tho committeo's action in empowering Mr Loudon lo reply to tho nurses was approved. hepohts. In moving the adoption of tho Hospital Committee's report Mr Loudon referred to tho resignation of Sitter Kelly, who, he said, was recognised as ono of tho best sisters who had over entered the Hospital, filio was now resigning for private and fiimily rensoae, nnd loft the Hospital with a splendid fooling towards the institution mill with a splendid feeling from tho institution towards liersolf.— Tho report was adopted. Tha reports of tho Sanatorium, Henovolaaj, and Finance Committees wero adoEbQd.,

COMMITTEE OF INQUIRY. Mr Hamol's motion—" That a committee of inquiry be ect up to investigate the ciuses of Smith and Siunders," was allowed, at Jn's own request, to stand over till next meeting. Mr I-kmol said ho had not had timo to construct a case on the facts, TENDERS. Two tenders for repairs and other work at Tuapcka Hospital woro referred to tho Works Gommiitt.ec to act. A motion of condolonce with Mr D. Larnach in his {recent bereavement was carried unanimously, members signifying their assent by standing.