EXONERATED.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1455, 1 June 1912, Page 5

EXONERATED.

AUCKLAND HOSPITAL INQUIRY, LADY SUPERINTENDENT AND MEDICAL STAFF. ißr Telegraph—Press Association. , ) Auckland, May 31. i At a meeting of the Hospital Board, held this morning, to consider what the board's finding should bo in connection tvith tho recent, inquiry into the charges brought by the medical staff against tho lady superintendent, resolutions were adopted completely exonerating Miss Griffiths on every allegation made against her. The meeting was presided over by tho chairman (Mr. H. Scholteld), and there were alsa present: Messrs. E. H. Potter, P. J. Nerheny, J. S. Dickson, M.P., and J. G. Rutherford. In accordance with their declared intention not to be present, the other five members of 'the board—Messrs. P. 11. Mackay, M. J. Coyle, F. J. Ellisdou, and F. Dye—wore absont. Even liad they been in attendance, however, and voted in opposition to the resolutions, thoso could have still teeu carried on the casting vote of the rhairnian. Mr. Scholield *rd the board was that morning meeting; in judicial capacity, and such being the ca?o could proved with tho business in hand without a quorum. Their position might not bo strictly legal, but it was sufficient lor the • purpose hi hand. Mr. Potter moved: (1) "That nl'tcr carefully and exhaustively reviewing the evidence given in Telat'ion to the charges made by Hie chairman of the honorary stall (Dr. Pnbst) njainst tho lady siipemitendpiit (Miss Griffiths), and the lady superintendent's reply thereto, this board is ot opinion tliat," taking into consideration the difficulties under which the lady superintendent had to carry out her onerous duties, nothing of a serious nature had been disclosed. " . (2) "That this board is further of opinion that if the chairman of the honorary staff considered the charges to be of a grave character, he should have reported them officially to the Hospital Committee at tho time they occurred. (3) "That this board is further of opinion that the charges made have not been substantiated, and that the lady superintendent's explanations regarding them are amply sufficient .to exonerate her from blame." After some discussion, the motion was carried. On tho motion of Mr. Rutherford, seconded by Mr. Potter, a further resolution was carried, directing that copies of the resolution be sent to the Minister for Internal Affairs, tho chairman lit the honorary stuff (Dr. Ptibst), the resident medical officer (Dr. Maguire), and the lady superintendent. Mr. Nerheny then moved: "That the chairman of the Hospital .Board be authorised to give Miss Griffiths, on her retirement from the board's service, a testimonial recognising the faithful and efficient service rendered by her during her term of office as matron of the Auckland Hospital, and that the chairman and Mr. Potter draw up a testimonial and This was seconded by. Mr. .1. S-. Dickson, and carried. . Miss Griffiths was called in nnd informed of the nature of the resolution passed, and brielly thanked the members, her feelings overcoming her to such an extent that she broke down in evident distress.