ARROWTOWN.

Otago Witness, Issue 2014, 29 September 1892, Page 20

ARROWTOWN.

September 26.— At a meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Arrow Hospital, held on September 3, Mr W. Scoles tabled the following notice of motion— "That Dr Donaldson receive three months' notice of the termination of his engagement." The announcement fell like a thunder-clap upon tho district. No one had ever heard of a single complaint agaiust thedcCjor, who enjoys the highest esteem of the people of the whole district, so that it was difficult to arrive at a motive for the motion, except one of a purely private nature. " The friends of Dr Donaldson, who are many, met to hold a preliminary meeting in order to decide upon steps to prevent the proposed motion taking effect, and agreed to circulate a requisition for signature asking the trustees to reconsider their intentions, and also decided to hold a public meeting. This was held on the 24th inst., and was very largely attended. Mr B. R. Baird was voted to the chair, and read the advertisement calling the meeting. He said he had been connected with the hospital for five years as chairman, but had about a year ago resigned that position. He continued, however, to take a great interest in the hospital, watching the reports Ac, and had never heard of a single fault being found with the doctor, and it was remarkable that at the meeting at which the notice of motion was tabled the •visiting committee reported most', favourably on the attairs of the hospital, and especially mentioned that there werd no complaints. He could- not see why the trustees wanted to got rid of the doctor, as it was always difficult to get a good roan, and he hoped if the meeting pulled together tho trustees would not adopt tho proposed motion. Mr A. M. M'Kay moved— "That this meeting fully endorses the steps taken by the gontleiuen constituting the private meeting held to arrange the business for tho present one." — Seconded by Mr J. A. Millar, and carried unanimously. Mr G. Heller proposed—" That this meeting has evury confidence in Dr Donaldson as a skilful, general medical practitioner, and the highest esteem for him as a gentleman in his private life." The Chairman said that this was a most importaat resolution, as it affected not only the doctor but also the institution, as in the present fit of retrenchment the Government might withdraw a boon that was likely to be mismanaged by those whom it was intended to benefit. The district had also a very good man at the other cud, but he could not attend to every case. He was credibly informed that when too notice of motion was tabled the Chairman of the Board of Trustees asked the gentleman who tabled the notice if he had any complaints to make, and the answer was, " No, there are no complaints." Now, this was very remarkable conduct, and it was to be hoped thaD the meeting would express its proper feelings of such a proceeding. — The motion was seconded by Mr K. M'Leay, and carried unanimously. Mr \V. Butlor proposed— " That this meeting respectfully and earnestly requests the trustees of the Arrow Hospital to expunge the notice of motion from their minute book. In speaking to his motion Mr Butler said he believed in speaking of a man as ho found him, and he could say that he owed his life to Dr Donaldson's skill, and he thought the trustees should give some reason for wishing to part with him. It had been said tbat it was self-interest that moved tho frieuds of Dr Donaldson to the present stop, but for himself he could bay that he had only shod the doctor's horse twice in the nine years the doctor had been.in the district.— Seconded by Mr .). Begbie, and carried. Mr Heller proposed— " That the chairman, Mr J. A. Miller, and liio mover act as deputation from this meeting, and present the requisition now in course of signature to the Board of Trustees at their next meeting."— Seconded by Mr J. Murray, and carried. _ Proposing a hearty vote of thanks to the chair, Mr J. A. Miller said he did not wish to close the mouth of the -meeting prematurely, and it was not called for the purpose of whitewashing or shielding Dr Donaldson, but to give every one who supposed he had a grievance against the doctor or the hospital an opportunity to bring forward his complaint, and he hoped they would do so as men, and not go about trying secretly to defame the doctor. As one who attended the private meeting he would be prepared to answer any question, or give any information the meeting wished for, in connection with this affair. No questions being asked he proposed a vote of thanks to the chair. „.,•. Mr Baird thanked the meeting, and said that the intelligent interest so large a meeting had taken in the question would surely influence the trustees in their consideration of the motion, and would induce them to expunge it from the minute book.— (Acclamation.)