HOSPITAL CONTROL

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21621, 16 April 1932, Page 3

HOSPITAL CONTROL

t EDITOR.* -* , - W

Sir',— l have always to ’ Some extent entertained the idea that those who are elected lo fill the responsible positions upon, the .various local .bodies are whb’ tbuly desire to render service to thie contamnityr free from all bias or preju*dice, for what they sincerely believe to be in the best interest of those whom they are elected to serve. Feeling quite confident in my belief that these people in their effort to render service to the community were far beyond reproach, and that upon every occasion they were called upon to give serious thought to any question it would receive just consideration from them, I recently approached the various members of the Hospital Board with what I believe to be a just and reasonable proposition. On the advice of the chairman and the members, I was advised to submit the propo'sitfon in-writ-ing to the members of the committee, and the question would be dealt with by them. This advice I adopted. I now_ understand that my proposition-'w'ds’ discussed, but failed to obtain a favourable'recommendation. The reason for the rejection of it I am at a loss to understand. During my lifetime I have been closely associated with land development. I learned that the members of the Hospital Board are trustees of a property at Wakari, comprising 50 acres of land. Approximately 20 acres of this land are utilised by the Hospital Board for buildings and the growing of vegetables for the board’s requirements. Upon the remaining 30 acres a dwelling house was built which has been unoccupied for a number of years, with the result that it is fast fading into a state of disrepair. I made an offer of £lO5 per annum to the Hospital Board for this latter property, firmly believing that the members would be willing to lease the property and have the residence occupied and the idle land utilised to a greater degree of efficiency during these hard times. To my surprise, and for no apparent reason, my application was declined. This decision, so far aa my personal knowledge is concerned,

seems to be exceedingly ridiculous. I am not writing in the “ dog in the manger ” spirit, but for the purpose of trying to bring before the public what seems to be a fundamental weakness in our system of democratic control —one which, without doubt, calls for an immediate remedy.— I am, etc., J. S. Taylor, Kaikorai, April 15.