RESTORATION OF SALARY

Taranaki Daily News, 16 August 1933, Page 9

RESTORATION OF SALARY

HOSPITAL SUPERINTENDENT AUCKLAND BOARD’S DECISION. GOOD NAME OF THE INSTITUTION. MEMBERS REVERSE OPINIONS. By Telegraph—Press Association. Auckland, Last Night. After having a month ago reduced tile salary of the medical superintendent, Dr. J. W. Craven, from £l2OO to £llOO a year, the Auckland Hospital Board today rescinded its decision and restored the salary to its former amount. The reduction, several members of the board explained, tended to damage the prestige of the Auckland hospital in the eyes of the Dominion. The recent reduction in the salary of the superintendent of the Auckland Infirmary, Dr. Maguire, from £990 to £BOO a year is not affected by the decision.

“I want the board to right what I consider a grave injustice to a most efficient officer,” said Mr. W. G. Mulholland in moving that the earlier decision be rescinded and the cut in Dr. Craven’s salary restored.. “I am pleased to see Mr. Mulholland has reconsidered the matter and has seen his mistake,” said Mr. E. H. Potter, who moved as an amendment that the salary of Dr. Maguire be also raised by £lOO. The amendment was ruled out of order by the chairman. Mr, G. T. Parvin said the Wellington Hospital Board had reduced the salary of its superintendent to £750 a year, yet the Auckland superintendent had been receiving £l2OO a year as well as a free house, which was worth another £4 a week, bringing his total remuneration to £l4OO.

Dr. Gunson said it was impossible to expect a good man to stay and run the hospital efficiently at the low salary the board proposed to pay. Since Dr. Craven was appointed superintendent he had saved the board many times the amount of his salary. The chairman said it was most unfortunate if the impression had been gained that any member was dissatisfied with Dr. Craven. On the contrary, all were greatly impressed with his work. It should interest members to know that the following salaries for medical superintendents obtained in other hospitals:— Christchurch, £lO7O and a free house; Dunedin, £9OO and house allowance of £9O; Waikato, £lO7O and a free house; New Plymouth, £9OO and a free house; Gisborne, £9OO and a free house; Timaru, £B9O and a free house. It had to be admitted the Auckland Hospital was the most important in the Dominion.

The motion was carried by. seven votes to two.