TWO RESIGNATIONS.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1082, 22 March 1911, Page 3

TWO RESIGNATIONS.

. HOSPITAL BOARD, NEW CHAIRMAN AND SECRETARY. When the Hospital and Charitable Aid Hoard met yesterday, it found itself in the unusual position of having to elect both a chairman and a secretary. 31 r. .[. 0. W. Aitken lately resigned the noit of chairman, under circumstances oxplained at the time. The resignation of the secretary (Jlr. G. 'Willis) has also been reported. When mombsrs assembled yesterday, the chair was taken by Jlr. ,1. Coyle (the acting secretary). In moving that Jlr. Aitkcn's resignation be- accepted with regret, the Rev. 11. Van Staveren remarked that the board had lost a very able chairman. Seconding the motion, Jlr. li. C. Kirk said that it was doubtful whether tho legislation passed recently affecting the position of business men on public todies was really in the interests of the public. Jtr. Aitken had been an exceptionally able chairman, and the speaker regretted exceedingly that he should have found it necessary to resign. He would move that the board place on record its appreciation of the services rendered by Mr. Aitken to the board since its inception, and to tho public. The'motion was carried; Turning to the matter of electing a new chairman, the Rev. Van Staveren nominated tho Rev. W. C. Evans. They wanted, he said, a firm man, familiar with the procedure of the board, and he was quito sure that Jlr. Evans fulfilled these qualifications. Jlr. 11. C. Kirk stated that he had boon asked by a number of his fellow members whether he would accept nomination as chairman, but, after careful consideration, had come to the conclusion that the offices of Hospital Committee chairman and board chairman ought to bo held separately. Jlr. Hindmarsh nominated J[r. J. Trevor to fill tho vacancy, but Jlr. Trevor explained that he had agreed to support Jlr. Evans. No second nomination being received, Jtr. Evans was ultimately declared elected. Thanking members for the trust reposed in him, tho new chairman said that he hoped that they would all work together, having constantly in view the alleviation of suffering, and the prevention, as far as possible, of any tendency towards pauperism in their midst. The resignation of the late secretary came before the meeting at a later stage. A letter from Jlr. Willis was read, in which he tendered his resignation, and stated that he did so for purely private reasons, and would be glad to be relieved of his duties as scon as possible. Jlr. Kirk expressed regret that Jlr. Willis had found it necessary to resign. Being unable to call individually on each member before he left, Jlr. Willis had asked the speaker to convey to members his very sincere appreciation of, and gratitude for, the kindness and consideration which they had invariably extended to him during the period of his' service. The election of a new secretary was the item figuring last on the order par.er. In nominating for the position Air. J. Coyle (accountant and acting secretary), Jlr. Trevor expressed the opinion that if they went over tho Dominion they would not find a better secretary. Jlr. Hindmarsh seconded the nomination. Jlr. Robertson thought (hat tho appointment should stand over until tho committee set up to inquire into staff relations had completed its task. This suggestion was opposed by Jlr. Kirk, who supported :he nomination of Jlr. Coyle. Jliss Richmond thought that the appointment should bo delayed until the whole position of tho staff had been reviewed. It was unfair that a secretary should be able, as he was at present, to go behind the chairman of a committee in connection with the Charitable Aid Board. Jlatters in the domain of tho medical superintendent were very properly removed from the secretary's'sphere of operations. A similar limitation should apply to tho department of (ho superintendent of charitable aid. Members:'Oh, no! They arc not in the same street! Jliss Richmond-'elaborated her contention at some length, but her objections were over-ruled. A vote being taken, Jlr. Coyle was unanimously appointed to the nositiou of secretary. It was agreed to hold over the question of appointing an accountant.