WARM WORDS AGAIN.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1514, 9 August 1912, Page 4

WARM WORDS AGAIN.

AUCKLAND HOSPITAL BOARD. ENTRIES CHALLENGED. "A MONSTROUS PROCEEDING." (Br Telegraph—Press Aeso'jlallon.lAuckland, August 8. , The Hospital Board was again in belli* coso mood at this morning's meeting in'f committee, aud tho first indication otf! tho fact was given when a brush occurred; between Mr. E. 11. Potter, on the onrf hand, and tho chairman of the honor-/ ary medical staff (Dr. C. J. Pabst) aud> Mr. P.' M. Mackay, on the other. Mr. Potter plied Dr. Pabst with sev* eral questions concerning tho resignations of nurses. Had not ten resigned during tho past month, and were not several moro resignations contemplated he asked,; , Dr. Pabst replied in tones of surprise to the effect that ho did not know what nurses contemplated, nor could ho be expected to do so. Mr. Mackay vigorously' protested against* what ho termed "tho disgraceful attitudo adopted by Mr. Potter towards the chair-) man of the honorary medical staff." A warm exchange of personal opinions; ensued between Messrs. Potter and Mac' kay in the course of which tho former remarked that ho was only asking foi! certain information to which the board was entitled, and if Dr. Pabst could not supply it, he would move that the acting--ladv superintendent be called up. He was' making no attack upon Mr, Mackay, and ho olamied to have as much respect for the medical men of the institution as his fellow-member had. Mr. Mackay: You arc assuming a mosi) antagonistic attitudo towards tiio mcdi< leal staff, and I will not sit quietly bj while you attack their chairman. Somewhat Sensational, The chairman (Mr. H. SchofieH) on« tered a plea for more orderly proceedings, and expressed regret that tho subject had' been introduced. Thereupon tho atlenv Hon of tho board was turned to less tentious matters until a further breez* ensued and matters took a somewhat sensational turn when tho honorary modi' cal staff reported through their chairman (Dr. Pabst) that entries reflecting upon sisters at the hospital had been inserted in tho confidential nurses' register in tho handwriting of the late lady superintendent, and that the said entries 1 related to matters which had eventuated; sinco the resignation of the former official, thereby indicating that they had, been mado by the late lady suneri'ntendMit subsequent to the date of her retirement from the services of tho board. Tho chairman (Mr. H. Schofield) said ho was sorry that tho report had como forward, because ho had not had an opportunity to inspect the register. He was not aware that tho report was to ba brought up. Dr. Pabst replied that he had spoken! of tho matter to tho chairman yesterday morning, and informed him that tho lion-' orary staff had drawn up a report. The chairman: I was not aware thai o report was to bo submitted. It is not fair to me.

Dr. Pahst: I took it for granted that, you know wo would placo tho report bo- • l'oro you to-day. The chairman: I move that the mnttoß bo referred to mo to bring up a report. Mr. Mackay: I move that it be referred' to tho board. , It is a matter for' them, and not for you, Sir. Mr. Potter: That document is a state-' nient reflecting on the late lady superintendent, and she should soo it. It may bo o case of damnges against the honorary medical staff. (A voice: Oh 1) The chairman: I feel that I want to look into this thing, so that I will understand, the position. Wanted to Know. Dr. Pabst said that it had been laid down that such complaints as those entered against thosistors should bo rend-, over to the members of the staff to whom they referred, Several entries had been made of matters which had occurred since the late lady superintendent loft tho employ of tho board, an 3 ho wanted to know whether or not ho was to read them over to the sisters to whom they roferrcd. I Mr. Norhcny: The decision of the board 'was that copies of such reports should bo sent to those concerned. • Mr. Mackay then moved, and the motion was soconded, "That a copy of the report bo scut to each o£ tho sistejs complained of." Mr. Coyle: Are you quito sure, Dr. Pabst, that those entries were made aftef tho lato lady superintendent leftP Dr. Pabst answered that tho entries referred to incidents that only happened after tho departure of that former official. Mr. Coyle: If what has been said is correct, it is a monstrous proceeding, and seems to be quite outrageous. I would like to know by whoso authority tho oxofficial got hold of the book to make such records. That book should not be allowed to go out of tho office, but should _l)o impounded pending an inquiry. Wo may possibly «sk our solicitors to take_ up a certain course in tho matter. It is the strongest statemeut I havo heard made since I have been a member of this board. I do not think that Dr. Pabst with his reputation at stake, would make such allegations unless he was suro o£ his grounds.

Very Angry About It. Tho chairman: "I am sorry that this discussion has taken place l«foro the press." (Hoar, hear.) His attention, ho said had only been called to tho matter yesterday morning, and 'ho was anxious to ascertain whether such u. thing had occurred. It so, ho did not nuprovo of itj in fact, ho felt very angry about it. Mr. Cnylo moved tliat a committee ho set up to inquire into tho matter, and report to tho board, tho committee to consist of tlia chairman, Messrs. Mackay and Nerhony, and the chairman of tho hon. medical staff. Mr. Mackay seconded the motion. Mr. Kerheny declined to act on tho, committee because of tho nomination of Dr. Pabst, whose report the committee was being appointed to inquire into. Dr. Palnst said lio had no desire, to act on tho committee. Mr. Coylc consented to act in lieu of Dr. Pabst, and Mr. Nerhony agreed to remain on the committee, which was then unanimously elected. Mr. Coylc asked Dr. Pabst when ho first saw the records complained of. Dr. Pabst replied that it was on Tuesday of the present week. He was supposed to review these records monthly, •but; as he had already explained to thq board the lady snpcrintemlemt had ivot provided any records for same months. Ho remarked that ho had not i'ct read over tho reports to tho sisters concorned or informed them of their existence, and ho desired direction in the mntter, "Don't Interrupt." Mr. Mackay was proceeding to speaK again in favour of his resolution, when tho chairman expressed the opinion that further talk wes unnecessary. Mr. Muckay: Allow me, don't inter, nipt; set a good example from the chair. Tho resolution moved by the Instmontioned member in favour of pending copies of the entries to the sisters concerned was then put, and carried by ft maiority of one. Mr. Covle asked if the committee were to bo empowered to seek legal advice. Mr. Potter strongly objected, and contended that such a decision should bo left to tho board. The meeting now got out of hand, several members desiring to speak at once, mid when the hubbub had subsided it was resolved that any resolutions carried to-day should be regarded merely as recommendations to the board for consideration at; next meeting, and that tho committee of inquiry should ,nol net until its appointment had liecn ratified by tho board. Further discussion was stopped by a motion from Mr. Coyle to proceed with the next business, which was carried.

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