THE PETERBOROUGH STREET CASH.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 7013, 31 January 1901, Page 4

THE PETERBOROUGH STREET CASH.

THE MATTER BEFORE THE HOSPITAL BOAR©. At the Hospital Boai'd meeting yesterday afternoon the House Committee, in its report, stated that <ike> Board had probably become thoroughly :conyer«ant, through tibe local papers, with the j^eterborougii -Street case. The committee had no desire to p&opea the matter, more than to repoH that provision was being made ifor treating tbs case on the hospital premises. The committee was of opinion, however, that the Board ehould enter its onost emphatic protest against the unfair and untruthful criticisms which had -been levelled ait tbe management of lihe hospital in connection with the matter. A letter was read from the City Council, : thanking the Hospital Board for the prompt arrangements made for tibe reception, of the ; case^t the instance of the Corn-til. Mr Rollitt said it would be better if the Souse Committee, instead of agreeing to erect a building and accepting tie case, had called tlie members of the Board togetiber and consulted them, as a matter of principle, though he quite agreed wifcb the action taken in this case. ' Mr Loughnan moved that the action of the House Committee b& approved. He considered tihe committee had acted promptly and rightly, the woman was l^sng in a critical state, and requiring immediate attention. Mr Rollitt seconded the motion, and heartily endorsed the committee's action, and repeated tliat it. was the principle involved he had referred, to. Mr M'Haffie said the expenses of tlie case would be paid by the City Council. "\ The motion was carried. Mr Rollitt said it was nob right that mem-, bers of another Board should cast such reflections on the Hospital Board, a@ had been done by members of the Charitable Aid Board, when they were not sure of the facts. The speaker could entirely rejute the statements made by Mr Smith at the Charitable Aid Board meeting, for he had known and interviewed many who had beeji treated in the hospital, and they had all spoken in the highest praise of tihe treatment received in the institution. He considered Mr Smith had been, misinformed as to the true facts of the case. ' Mr M'Hame considered Mr Smith's remarks were a direct reflection on the staff, and the staff had felt it very bitterly. Dr Macgregor's report on the hospital was most 1 favourable, and he thought a letter should be sent to Mr Smith, asking for an explanation of his remarks as reported in tihe 'newspapers. Mr M'Haffie moved, to that effect, and that Mr Smith be asked to cite a, case in'wbich a patient had " been so badly treated that Tm had been glad to get out of the institution." This was seconded by Mr Rollitt, and carried. i