TIMARU HOSPITAL.

Timaru Herald, Volume XCVIII, 27 April 1925, Page 6

TIMARU HOSPITAL.

To tlm Editor of the “Timaru Herald.” thr, —In your issue o-f'the 4th instant appears, the somewhat lengthy reply of the chairman, Mr Potts, do the charges made, by me against the Hospital Board.. To discuss each of Air Potts’s assertions separately would entail so lengthy a letter that you could not possibly accord space for its publication. Mr Potts’s statements, in most cases, contain Somo truth, hut so obscured by the dressing that only those who already know the facts'can distinguish one from the other. Stripped of all dressing, the reply contains threo tilings, winch call for comment. In the first place, All’ Potts seeks to throw discredit on my charges by stating that I am a discharged servant of'the Board with a grievance. Ho goes on to explain (?) the circumstances attending my dismissal. The' explanation is partly true, partly untrue, and - omits everything that is vital. Y If Air Potts wishes tho public to know of the facts, let him publish tho whole correspondence bebwOen mo and the Board. It is-not voluminous, and I not only give him full permission to publish ..it, but challenge; him to do so. In the second place, .'Mr Potts .advises me-to- make my charges in the proper place, that is, to the -Board .itself, and I will be given afair hearing. If the treatment already measured out to me personally is a sample of-the Board’s “fair hearing,” then Heaven protect mo from any more sueli tender mercies. - AA’hat a beautifully simple sblution of all our doubts the chairman offers—nyike the 'Board the sole judge when its own wrongdoing 'is iin question. Just this, and ffothing more.; Thanks very much to the, chairman, but wo are tired, of that, experience. In tho third place, Air. Potts '-says that tho loqal papers give hcb’u'fatej' if abridged reports of _ all proceedings that are open to the publio. Will Mr. Potts add liis assurance that the reporters are invited into the “white-wash department”—the ‘ Board in bbmmittee —and -permitted to broadcast what takes place there. I think not. Serious charges have been made, and I am prepared to repeat, and endeavour to substantiate 'them at any time. If tho Board has-the smallest regard for its own honour, it cannot rest content with specious “replies’ by its chairman. Nothing can wipe away tho stein except full investigation by an independent tribunal, open to the public, and before which all evidence will he given on oath, and be tested by cross-examination. , AV>U the Board do its part by asking.for the appointment Of a commissioner to make such an imestisation?-! am, eto.

To tti Editor of the "Timaru Herald.” ; g ir _As an act of courtesy, I have to take note of a letter published in your-issue of even. date. It is a rule of mine. not’..' to answer , anonymous letters, otherwise, there would be - a complete ' answer to Ratepayer s ■ criticism of the Board’s medical-policy. Certain -misinterpretations, and several downright, inaccuracies. My to a previous ■ and similar criticism, endorsed by the Board, must stand. T decline 1 to make electioneering . capital but df a controversy which is assuming the 'character of an ambushed an obviously inspired personal attack. I f in ’ ? tc -' T. AVILSON POTTS. I ■Thharu, April-24.., ~:: , \ • .