HOSPITAL AND CHARITABLE AID BOARD.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 3904, 21 October 1880, Page 4

HO SPITAL AND CHARITABLE AID BOARD.

The ordinary fortnightly meeting of thn Hospital and Charitable Aid Board waa held at the H spital yesterday afternoon ; prr sent — The Mayor of Sydenham (in tho Chair), the Mayor of Christchurch, Dr Turnbull, and Messrs VV. Montgomery, and J. G. Uawkcs. CHBIBTCHUBCII HOSPITAL. The Hospital Committee reported that during the past fortnight 22 pitients had been admitted, and 19 discharged, bating so in the institution. One death had occurred during the fortnight. TUB HOSPITAL ENQUIBY. Letters were read — F oin tho Colonial Secretary's office, giving notice of the enquiry, and instructing tho Board to appoint a pro tern Chairman in Mr Thomson's absence, to sign vouchers and attend to othir business. It was decided tbat the Mayor of Christchurch act us Chairman during Mr Thomson's absence. From Dr Skio, g'ving notice of his appointment as CVu.iuissioner, to enquire into the case of Man Keetley, and enclosing a copy of hi 3 comniiwion and oflicial instructions. Tho Mayor of Christchurch said ho had telegraphed to the Colonial Secretary to the effect that the Board of Health were going to employ counsel, and asking Government's sanction to the Hospital Board doing the j same, but had as yet received no reply. He j had since seen Mr Harman, Chairman of the Board of Health, who said that that body had abandoned the idea of employing counsel, and he (the Mayor), supposed t'>o Koepital Board would now do the same thing. Mr Montgomery concurred. Ho thought the question was a purely professional matter. Dr Turnbull thought it was not a professional matter, but rather an alleged contravontion of the law. The Board of Health should have taken proceedings in the nutter. He thought that as it waß the enquiry should bo entirely independent of either party, and therefore should be not held either at tho Health Office or the Hospital. It was stated that the place of meeting had already been settled. Dr Turnbull thought the Commissioner had no power to settle it. Ho objected to reporters attending the enquiry, and publishing daily reports, for fear that a partial impression might prevail on the subject, which would be prejudicial to the StUe. The report had better be deferred till tho close of" the inquiry. Mr Hawkes thought that far too much had been made about the matter, and a great deal of animosity displayed. He did not agree with Dr Turnbull that daily reports should not be published. They wanted everything to be done openly, and full publicity given to what was done every day. The Mayor of Chrietchurch concurred. Dra Prins, Townend, Irving and Davies attended, on behalf of the medical staff, to hear the Commission of Enquiry read, and offflr any suggestions they deemed necessary. Dr Prins thought that the only thing to be done was to give every facility for the holding of tho enquiry, as the Commission had not been received in time for the staff to consider it. In answer to the Chairman, Dr Prins said ho thought that the proceedings should be reported, but that the • evidence should not be published piecemeal, and that no evidence should be made public without tho rebutting evidence, otherwise thereby harm might be done, as Dr Turnbull had stated. A discussion ensued on the subject, tho general opinion being that it would be well to publish the whole evidence, but not until the end of the enquiry. Dr Turnbull thought that the staff had nothing to do with the matter of giving the certificates alluded to. That rested with the Hou?o Surgeon. After a desultory discussion, it was decided that the staff Bhould attend the enquiry, and that Dr Prine>, as Chairman, should convey to Dr Skae his opinion as to reporting the inquiry. Dr Turnbull thought that Dr Prins, as Chairman of the staff, should have authority to cill whatever evidence he wished at the expense of the Board. It was pointed out that Dr Skae alone had power to subpoena witnesses, and that no expense need be incurred. A conversation ensued on the Bubject, after which the staff withdrew. It was agreed that the Mayor of Christchurch, as acting Chairman, should watch tho proceedings on behalf of the Board. INFECTIOUS DISEASE. A letter was read from the Medical Staff stating that they wero fully aware that provision should be made for the reception of infectious diseases, and pointing out that if cases of small-pox should arrive in the Colony, they would bo best treated in tents in isolated situations. It was dscided that the Hospital Committee be requested to confer with the Hospital Staff with regard to the accommodation provided for the reception of cases of infectious diseases.

Several letters relating to routine and charitable aid matters were read and conBidered, after which the meeting adjourned.