HOSIPTAL PATIENT’S RING

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19123, 18 September 1936, Page 4

HOSIPTAL PATIENT’S RING

KEPT FOR 28 YEARS RETURNED TO RESIDENT SOUTHLAND DISCOVERY (Per Press Association.) INVERCARGILL, last night. Publicity has been given to allegations that hospital boards in New Zealand have sold jewellery belonging to patients who died in institutions. This publicity had a sequel at a meeting of the Southland Hospital Board to-day, when a letter was received from a North Island resident as follows: “On reading the remarks made at a meeting of your board, I noticed that a collection of jewellery,is in your possession, and I hope that a ring of my father’s, who died in your. hospital as far as I can remember 25 years ago, may bo returned to me. My mother told me that my father wore his ring when he died, but she missed it from his finger afterwards and, on inquiries at the office, was told that it was kept to. help to pay his maintenance. If it is in your collection, I would he very pleased to have it.” The secretary, Mr. T. Pryde, produced the ring and with it a silver watch and chain. The latter had a locket attached, and this contained a photograph and lock of hair. The label carried the date April 15, 1908. A member: That means it has been kept for 28 years. That will let Dr. D. G. McMillan, M.P., see we don’t sell our patients’ jewellery.” It was decided to return the ring and chain to the applicant.