ONE TO RETIRE.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1756, 22 May 1913, Page 6

ONE TO RETIRE.

HOSPITAL BOARD'S RIDDLE. FRICTION AT WANGANUI. (By Toloirnpb,—flpecinl CorrMponaont.) Wanganui, May 21. When tho Wanganui Hospital and Charitable Aid Board met to-day sonto trouble arose over tho rccont alteration in membership. At last meeting tho Department intimated that ono member had been added to (ho Wanganui Borough and one member taken oil front tho area known as the Kangitikei district, and consisting of (he Kangitikei County, Jlarton, and Tailiape and lho Manga-wek-i, llunterville, and Bulls town districts. Tito secretary of the Hospital Hoard had been in communication with the representatives of tho above '.districts in regard to the nintter, but they had not decided who was to go out. 'lho Oider-in-Cottmdl ltolicv indicated that, until tho members 'affected have decided who was going to retire, the said members would not havo any voice in the deliberations of the board. Such was the position to-day when tho usual meeting of tho board was held. Th-> members ior tho combined area (Messrs. K. K. Simpson, A. M'Grcgor, .T. ■Smith, D. Frsser, atul C-. J. Bennett) ontered tho board room.' M". Simpson, speaking on behalf of the others, said that they had not been invited to attend tho meeting, but they wero there to know what their position was.

The chairman (Mr. Ritchie) told them that they had to decide among themselves wlio was going to retire, ov leave tho matter to the board. Mr. M'Gregor nrotesteil against tho board transacting any business until it w.m a legally constituted body. Mr. Kitchio pointed out that other members present were duly elected members of tho board, and that, by the terms of the Order-in-Council, thev could conduct business without the prcscnco of tha Kangitikei members. Mr. M'Greior repeated his protest, and added that they had been in commttnicatb:i with the Inspector-General of Hospitals, and they were in hopes of getting their member back again.

Tli'.' secretary rend a telegram from tho Inspcctor-Genoral bearing out the last speaker's remarks, and asking for tho opinion of tho board upon tho -mutter.

Mr. Eitchie: He is always backing and filling. It seems to me that Dr. Valintino does not know his own mind for ten minutes.

Another speaker referred to tho largo amount of money contributed by the combined area, and stated that they wanted a share in seeing how it was spent. Mr. Hi tchie said he had to deal with the Gazette notice, which was read.

Mr. Simpson s'vid that he had received a messago over 'ho telephone late last niglit from the Ynspector-Generni, saying tint it was too late to givo tliem an extra member for to-morrow's mcetiug.

Mr. Dattle wanted to know of one member was agreeable to retire temporarily until tho matter was finally adjusted.

Mr. Simpson replied that they would hold on to what they had, and would not give ground. Mr. Simpson pointed out that the Kiaranga County objected to the loss of one member, and had had that membef reinstated. Kobson County liad also had a member given back to thorn. He added that he had received a letter from tho Premier statins that ho was looking into the matter.

Mr. IJifchi-o said that the question of the .legality of the members of the combined area was clear to him, and, with all duo respect to them, he must 1» guided by tho Order-in-Council. Ho was in sympathy with them, and realised thai Rangitikci was not represented on tho board as such an important district should "03. They should decide this question amongst themselves.

Eventually the Rangitikei members retired, and a start was made with tho usual business of the board, but, after the minutes had been read and accounts passed, the board adjourned for a fortnight.