ALLEGED FRICTION

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1082, 22 March 1911, Page 6

ALLEGED FRICTION

WARM DEBATE BY THE HOSPITAL BOARD. THE TERM "BULLY" USED. Last mouth, at its ordinary myelin;, the Hospital and Charitable Aid. Board discussed at some length an alleged disturbance in the relations obtaining between members of its administrative staff and a committee was sot up to investigate the matter. At the meeting of tho board yesterday, the question became thn theme of a discussion that at times was stormy. The subject was first raised by a rccoininendnMon in the Charitable Aid Committee's report, "that the superinlnnddit be authorised to take his holiday leave lor three weeks as soon as convenient." Mr. Hindmarsh stated that he had been informed by a member of the committee set up to inquire into the relations of the staff that Mr. Troubridgc had said that he would not take instructions from his superior officer. "I don't know whether it is advisable to discuss that aspect of the matter now," said the chairman (Rev. W. A. Evans), "or whether you are in order." Mr. Hindmarsh: We can- discuss whether we should give a servant a holiday like this. ... I think it ought to be taken into consideration whether we should give him a permanent holiday! Mr. Evans: I don't think this is'the tune to raise that aspect of the discussion. Mr. Hindmarsh: I certainly think, sir, that when an officer's conduct is being inquired into you don't usually give him a holiday. Is that the way a business man does it? I think it 'is very bad taste on the committee's part to present a report of this sort without informing the rest of the board about the true condition of matters. Eventually,-at the instance of Mr. Hindmarsh, it was agreed by nine votes to seven to hold over the question of granting the holiday until the report of the committee set up to investigate staff, relations had been considered. The Committee's Report. . Later on the following report from tho committee was laid before the board:— "The committee met and found there were matters needing investigation. In view, however, of the recent change in the personnel of the staff, it does not propose at present to bring down any further report." Mr. Kirk moved the adoption of the report. Speaking as tho member who moved that the committee be set up, Mr. Fitzgerald seconded the motion. The committee had found that it would not be wifb to say anything more at the present time upon this subject. w" T !V? is a ver - v lengthy report," said Mr. Hindmarsh, and he proceeded to read it. "The committee met and found there were matters requiring investigation." ••Inat is a very serious matter," continued Mr. Hindmarsh. "Is that a satisfactory report?" Mr. Van Staveren's View. "To those who understand matters as they are at present, it is a satisfactory report,". said Mr. Van Staveren. Mr. Hindmarsh: "I understand the situation is this—l don't wish hero to say anything unkind, but I understand tho situation is that there is disagreement between two officers of this board Inat. this was of a serious nature is shown by the first paragraph of tho report . i understand, further, that one or the officers flatly refused to carry out the orders of his superior officer." Mr. Kirs rose to a point of order, and claimed that Mr. Hindmarsh had no right to divulge what had been done in committee. Mr. Hindmarsh: "If you are not very careful I shall bring before tho public all these board matters that have arisen during the past month or two." afraid"" Stavoren: " Sur «ly we are not bott ,, !,"—» al ' Sh: " If y °" try to blw " "There has been no attempt to brow.bcat anybody, said the chairman. The report, he ruled, was before the meeting. Any matters not contained in the report wore irrelevant. Mr. Van Staveren thought that if Mr. riUgerald, who moved to have the committee .«f. up, was satisfied, other members ought to be satisfied as well. "Not Satisfied." Mr. Hindmarsh: "Well, that is'your way. I in not satisfied. It the committee had acted in an intelligent and loyal way 1 should have been very easily satisfied indeed. They should have brought down a report dealing with the relationship ot these two men, and generally with the manner in which the officers comported themselves. But they (the committee) have kept everything back from us. Now, I have heard certain things from Hγ. Fitzgerald, who is a member of the committee, and I think I have a perfect right—with that information in my mind-to bring these matters betore .the board. Mr. Kirk: "That is the point of order that 1 raise." Mr. Hindmarsh: "It is no use, Mr Kirk. You ain't stop me. I have got the Hoor, 1 dont want to listen to a lecturo by Mr. Kirk." The chairman reiterated his ruling that discussion could touch only matters contained in the report. Mr. Hindmarsh: "The report is not a fair one. It was drawn for an ulterior purpose." A member (to the chairman): "Do you rule that Mr. HindmaTsh is out of order?" The chairman: "Yes." Mr. Hindmarsh: "I claim that Lam wiihin my rights in moriig that this report be referred back or rejected altogether." Plain Speaking. Mr. Eobertson: "This man is a bully, no matter where he is Ho is a bully when ho thrashes the Mayor and councillors and he is starting to do it to us here." The chairman suggested (hit it should be sufficient to move that the report bo referred back and let: it go to- the vote. Mr. Nash supported tho claim advanced by .Mr. Hiudmarsh and seconded his motion. Members were entitled to know the decision of the committee. In discussion that followed Mr. Gardener opined that the report was indefinite. Tho position of tho board's officers should be defined. The committee apparently claimed everlasting power until the board disbanded it. Mr. Trevor also thought they should have something definite. How did they know that they would not be in the same position in another week or two? They did not wnnt their officers at loggerhead's and not speaking to one another. Carrying dii tlVs point iMr. M'Laren complained that l\is report left the matter hanging in the air. What-might happen next month was left in doubt. Mr. Kirk: "It depends on what happens next month." Continuing, Mr. M'Laren said that if there had been friction, and no one doubted that there had, the committee having investigated, should have brought down a report that would finish the whole matter. Eventually Mr. M'Laren moved (Mr. Hindmarsh'consenting) that the committee be instructed to bring down a fuller report, not only on the particular matter mentioned, but on the general organisation of tho staff, and. to furnish a precis of tho evidence taken at the inquiry. After some further discussion the motion was carried on the voices, Mr. Kirk bavins first'insisted that a report on tho lines indicated in the motion, ought to be received by the board in committee. Jfcssrs. Hindmarsh and M'Lareu were added to the committee.