CORRESPONDENCE.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XLV, Issue 14688, 21 August 1918, Page 5

CORRESPONDENCE.

THE HOSPITAL. (To the Editor of tbe Herald.) .Sir, — I was surprised to sec tho attitude taken up by certain, members, of the Hospital .board at the last meeting when a vote of lio-conndenco Avas pasaud on the present Chairman (Mr. vV. (J. Sherratt). There is no Houbt in my mind that the> present Cliairman has done more for the hospital and to bring il into •something like working older than liis predecessors, as he apparently realises that, tliere can only be one Head to an institution of this ""kind.' To my mind the fault in the past has been "too much cliairman," ui'id if sucli a state was to continue, Koyal Commissions would bo like cattle shows — annua, affairs. Had Mr. Sherratt been Chairman two years ago 1 venture to say nu Royal uommission would have eventuated. _ No Chairman has to my knowledge given so much information to the public as he did in his annual report, the contents of which came as' a revelation to local bodies, and should have being divulged iri previous chairmen's reports, and 1 think it is to his credit that nothing whatever avus hidden from tiie public. Again, previous to his chairmanship the Board did not act as a House Committee — a thing unheard of in any other hospital, and which AA'as absolutely detrimental to the smooth, working of the institution. Past Chairmen have ignored the recognised head of the Hospital and given 'too much attention to petty matters which could only tend to again lead to in- ! tenia! strife. I think Mr. Sherratt j emulates the chairmen of Old Country hospitals, arid is guided by 'experts alone. It seems that there is a- movement to oust Mr. Sherratt, and I should urgent-he ratepayers to rally j round him, as I feel sure that no member of the institution "will eA*er gain favors from him, and can only arrive at tho conclusion tliat he is an -impar-! tial, uninterfering, and just man. In a feAv months' time I predict that under his Chairmanship and the present Medical Superintendent the institution ; Ayill become worthy of thp district and regain its lost- prostige> but if any change is made, then it is safe to jn'e-' diet fhirthei* internal 'chfetosA— l nm.' etc; W. Ar BOWIE.