HOSPITAL.

Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, Volume 3, Issue 305, 20 June 1879, Page 2

HOSPITAL.

To ihe Editor of the Akaroa Mail. Sir, —In a letter of Dr Guthrie's which you publish in your report of Borough Council's meeting which appears in your issue of the 13th inst., there are certain matters on which I feel bound to make some explanation. . 1. I am charged with having made a visit of inspection to the Hospital. 2. Of drawing up a report of an investigation I had made into the requirements of that institution without consulting the medical officer in charge. 3. Of casting somo discredit on the management of the institution by causing inaccurate statements to appear in the Mail. I quote from the Mail the paragraph to which the doctor refers— "hospital. " Cr Meech said he had lately visited the hospital, and thought that as the Council were charged their share of the expenses of this institution, they had a right to see that necessary conveniences were provided. He enumerated various urgent wants, and thought thatthe Council should communicate with the Christchurch Board and see that these necessary improvements be carried out." This is precisely what I said, less the particulars, and as these particulars, hitherto unpublished (no doubt on account of my stating my intention of moving in the matter at our next meeting), interests the inhabitants of the Peninsula, I shall, after a short explanation of my .visit to the Hospital, state theso for the public beneI fit. I must respectfully submit there ' is I nothing in the abovo quotation to justify such a strong epistle from the doctor. Taking .the wprds as they stand, I might have enumerated several- requirements in agreement with the doctor's wishes, and after he has heard the explanation I have to make, I think he will see he has been unnecessarily severe. I do not now feel offended at remarks, made, because 1 do not think such was intended, but rather that he wrote the letter under a soreness, of a certain want of courtesy shown. I must first say I did hot pay a visit of inspection—did not draw up a report, neither have I cast discredit on'the management. . . My visit to the Hospital was simply to getfrom the librarian the key of wastepaper room of library to search for information in back numbers of Press and Times. While at the Hospital, knowing a little fellow, an inmate, I wished to see j him, and was shown in ; he was lying in the female ward. Noticing a sort of table in a corner of the ward, I askejl what it was. I was told it was an operating table Looking round, and not noticing many apartments, I said—" Where is your bathroom ?" and was informed it was across the court-yard. This naturally led me to enquire—" How do you manage to bath those patients who are too ill'to go outside ?" I found tbat a portable bath had to be brought in, and, when used, emptied and carried out again. I also found that on account of tiie necessary sanitary .convenience inside the building, those patients who were too ill to go outside had to be attended to, however unpleasant. What I am stating now, is what I said at the Council. I also said the operating table I saw had no screen. Dr Guthrie did not' say'it had, but that " there are plenty of screens." ' I did not say there was not. I simply stated what I saw. With regard to "discredit on the management," Icertainly roust beg to differ. I think it will have the very opposite effect. I think your readers will agree with me, the amount of work must be greatly increased inconducting-an institution such as this, inadequately, furnished ;'yet, notwithstanding these . wauls, I find the bnlhlhig-;.!);! its .surimmdmgsjn apple- j pie order— everything i-.i it.-.- yA'i<.\- --A;;; -

Putting all this aside, there is an important feature in Dr Guthrie's letter, which concerns the ratepayers of the Peninsula. The County and Borough Councils have to contribute to the maintenance of this institution. The Borough Council has, in a financial statement just drawn up, put aside the sum of £100 as hospital expenses. The deduction to bo drawn from Dr Guthrie's letter is that the overseership rests with himself. The question arises, are we, or are we not to have a say in the management of an institution to which we largely contribute ? The matter of refund from patients, and additional rooms required, are questions for future consideration, and I trust in mentioning this it will not be considered interfering, but rather as assisting to obtain an institution of proper dimensions and furnished suitable to the requirements of the district. Yours, &c, W. MEECH.