ANGRY TRUSTEES.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 73, 19 December 1907, Page 7

ANGRY TRUSTEES.

A CALL TO "PREPARE'FOR BATTLE." \ HOSPITAL AFFAIRS AT KUMARA. (bt telegram—peess association.) ' ' Hokltlka, December 18. In, the course of an interview with, the Kumara Hospital Trustees last night Dr. Valintine, Inspector-General of Hospitals, asked whether the surgeon-superintendent of tho institution was using tho hospital for' privat'o practice. The Chairman replied that an inquiry had been held, but the matron rofueed to give any ovidence on the subject. Dr. Valintine stated that ho had strong reason to.believe that such was the case, and tho position did not reflect much intelligence on the Trustees. . The latter remark was strongly resented by the Trustees. Iu reply to one speaker, Dr. Valintine said he would not deny boing hostilo to the Kumara Hospital, and as he had other things to inquire into he would not sit and listen to further recriminations. The InspectorGeneral rose politely, wished the Trustoee good-night, and retired amid a chorus of "ta-ta's" and "boohoo's" from the Trustees. Tho Mayor of Kumara, Mr. Murdoch, who is a momber of the Board, made a speech regretting the scene, and calling on; tho people to prepare for battle. It would now bo necessary.to fight for tho oxistonce of the hospital, which had been ably maintained by tho Trustees for the past thirty years. On Mr. Murdoch's motion, it was resolved that Dr. Valintinc'a reference to tho Trustees be viewed as a. gross insult, and be reported to the Minister; also that a public meeting be called for noxt. Monday night to oppose any effort to close the Kumara Hospital, and, if necessary, send a deputation to Wellington to interview the Premier and Mr. Fowlds. , Tho Trustees also carried a vote of confidence in Dr. Morkane, the surgeon-superin-tendent.