DUNSTAN DISTRICT HOSPITAL.

Dunstan Times, Issue 1160, 23 May 1884, Page 3

DUNSTAN DISTRICT HOSPITAL.

A special meeting of tue Committee of Management was held in the Town Hall, Clyde, f>n Monday evening, the 10th inet., ti consider the question of paying out of the funds of the institution the cost of conveying patient Murdoch to Port Chalmers, from whence he proposed at his own expense going to the Old Country. Present—Messrs M. J. Macginnis (in the chair), Miles, Attfield, Beck, Sims, J. B. Stevens (Treasurer), and Geo. Fache (Secretary). The Chairman having explained the object of the meeting, said the question was one that demanded mature deliberation, as not alone the question of drawing funds of the Institution was involved, , jasf whether the Committee would be jns"tmed in discharging Murdoch from the Institution.

Mr Miles said so far as the expense was concerned, that ho thought was taken out of the hands of the Committee, as the public were subscribing money to defray all the cost. Dr Lewis, Resident Surgeon, who by request was in attendance, said it was true the public were subscribing, but so far as he understood it was to cover the cost of passage money Home, and the special attendance he would require during tbe voyage. The passage money alone he understood would be L4O; of the cost of special attendance he could say nothing. As to allowing Murdoch to leave the Institution, no blame could be attachable to the Committee, should any mishap befall him on the journey, as it was Murdoch’s own repeatedly expressed desire to be sent to Dunedin, so that he could go home ; and moreover he was, so far as bodily health was concerned, in a fit state to undertake the journey to the Port. He would suggest that a conveyance be procured to convey him to Lawrence, from whence he could tra el by rail, and that Wardsman Knox be allowed to accompany him. He could say nothing as to the effect the sea voyage would have upon him, but there was no imminent risk of his undertaking the journey. Mr Stevens said—After hearing Dr Lewis he would propose “ That when arrange mants have bee i made to place Murdoch on board ship at Port Chalmers, the Committee defray the cost of lauding him there, and that Wardsman Knox accompany him.”

Seconded by Mr Mites, and carried. Mr William Fraser (President) who now ■came into the room, said: That when in Dunedin lately, at the request of Murdoch. he had waited on the Manager of the New Zealand Shipping Company wi'h the view of obtaining a passage for Murdoch at a reduced rate. The Manager, however, refused to alter the rate, saying that similar applications were frequently made to him

After further discussion, it was resolved that the Visiting Committee, on receipt ot notice from Dr Lewis that every arrangement had been made for the passage home of patient Murdoch, to make arrangements for having him conveyed to Port Chalmers. Resolved--That the President write to the Government for assistance towards defraying the expenses incidental to the removal of patient Murdock to Port Chal■mers, and thence to the Old Country. The meeting then closed.