AUCKLAND HOSPITAL.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1452, 29 May 1912, Page 5

AUCKLAND HOSPITAL.

DR, SAVAGE r/ESIGNS. A STORMY MEETING, APPEAL TO THE MINISTER, fß* As««ola,Uo»j Auckland, May 28. The o? the Auckland Hospital and Onaritable Aid Bourd this evening ' was by 110 means a happy one. At one stage a clash of words look place between some of the members, and labor fvvo members of the boad'd left the meeting as a protest against certain notices of motion on the order paper. The first indications ot a breeze occurred when a. letter was read from Dr. Savage, in which ho tendered hjs resignation as a. member of the honorary staff of the hospital, observing in the course of his letter, that "the insulting and disparaging remarks modo bv several members of your board at resent meetings anent the honorary staff generally, and our chairman in particular, and the action of one member of tho board, who, without taking the least trouble to luia out the truth, investigated what was practically a charge of gross neglect against a membei; of the honorary staff in a recent caso of a tetanus patient, and then, when tlie inquiry proved that the rumour was absolutely without truth, excused himself 011 tho ground that ho luid been misinformed (I note well that ho could_ not have taken any steps to veniV his information before repeating it) nave satisfied mo that the devotion of the honorary staff to the welfare) of patients and the interests of the institution We, to say the least of it, not appreciated. • Statements and Repudiations, The chairman (Mr. H. Schofield) moved that tho resignation of Dr. Savage stand over until next meeting, and that the secretary be instructed to write to liiiu, asking him to reconsider tho matter, assuring him that the board fully recognised and highly appreciates tho splendid sen-ices he has rendered to the hospital during the past six years, and it would most deeply regret to lose his services, Mr. P. M. Mackay seconded the motion. Ho presrumed that Mr. Dickson was tho man referred to, for it was stated at tho recent, inquiry that it was Air. Dickson who had made a statement with regard to a tentaus patient, and afterwards explained that he had hoard it from someoijlo else. Such a tlnlng was unbecoming a,' member of the board. Mr. Mackay concluded by stating that, although Mr, Dickson moved that an inquiry should bo , held, 110 was not present when' tho inIquiry took place. Mr. Dickson rose to a point of order, and protested that Mr, Maekav was not present, at the meeting at which he (Mr. j Dickson) gave an explanation of his absence.

Mr. E. H. Potter moved that the re-, signation be accepted. Mr. P. J. Nerheny seconded tho amendment, and said that the doctor had taken up a position that was unjustified. Mr. J. Jenkin said the doctor's letter was perfectly justified. Mr. Nerheny himself had used' insulting and intimidatinglanguage in regard to the honorary Sum. Mr. Nerhony: It is a lio. I challenge you to find any record of it in the minutes. The amendment was lost by six votes to four, and the original motion earned. Those voting against the motion were Messrs. Nerheny, Dickson, Rutherford, and Potter. A Crisis Reached, At a later stage of the meeting a scene, startling in its suddenness, took place The dwirman moved that tho resolution of tho board of September 2G, 1911, that tho hospital 1 committee consist of tho whole of the members of the board, be rescinded. . Mr. Mackay characterised this notice of motion as revolutionary. Mr. Scliouold here ruled Mr. Mackay out of order, as Hie notice of motion was not under discussion. Mr. Mackay: Having recorded my protest, I will now leave the room. Messrs. !"• Bye, F. H. Eiiisdon, J. Jenkin, and M. J. Coyle then followed Mr. Mackay from the meeting. Appeal la the- Minister. IMie following teiegroni was dispatched to tho Minister in Charge of Hospitals by Dr ; Pabst (chairman of the honorary jnedicaS staff), prior to the meeting of the Hospital Board this evening:— "Condition Auckland Hospital critical; welfare patients imoeriiled; lion, visiting staff, senior resident medical officer, junior resident medical oSicers, together with sisters and certificated nurses have urgently petitioned me to send this message, praying your intervention, otherwise deadlock unavoidable." Dr. Pabst received the following reply: "I have received your telegram", which conveys to my mind a critical situation. I am giving matter my gravest considcra tion, ana hope to-morrow to be able to wire you my decision in connection with your request."