The Evening Star SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 1873.

Evening Star, Issue 3303, 20 September 1873, Page 2

The Evening Star SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 1873.

In the interests of the Dunedin Hospital, and in order that full confidence should be had in so valuable an institution, we addressed the letter to the Superintendent, which we now publish, suggesting an inquiry into its management. In the usual course it has been transmitted to the Executive, and last evening we received the reply appended. Perhaps few, if any, will feel satisfied with it. We have reason to believe that there is a mistake as to the statement made by a correspondent respecting the revival of a person apparently dead, and that it did not occur at the Hospital. The news was brought to us, however, the day after it was said to have happened, and we were asked to publish it, which we declined to do, as, even if true, we do not consider it an improbable event, nor one that might not occur where the highest medical skill had been exercised. We were unwilling to give currency, therefore, to a statement that might create an uneasy feeling in the popular mind; and for a similar reason we have hitherto declined to press npou the Provincial Government the advisability of a thorough and searching investigation into Hospital management, although it has been urged upon the Press for full ten years. The Executive mustnot mistake the matter. The letters that have appeared are only an expression of a wide-spread feeling that there is mismanagement somewhere, and it was with a view to set the matter at rest that the letter to bis Honor was forwarded. It is plain that one good result must follow full inquiry, If there is

nothing wrong—if the Hospital is well managed in every respect; if all the arrangements are what they ought to be, and the servants are kind, considerate and attentive, the Institution will stand higher in the estimation of the people of Dunedin than at present. If, on the other hand, the popular and general belief is correct, that there is mismanagement in any shape or form, such an inquiry will be proved to have been most necessary, in order that an alteration may be made. It will be seen by the letter from the Executive they have endorsed the action taken by Mr Hume, a servant of whose existence we were not even aware until his ill-mannered letter was sent to us for publication; and they seem to consider that when hj? penned it he was acting as secretary to the Institution. Although this ex pression of his being in the way of his duty, does not exactly commend him for the style in which he did it, the inference is unavoidable that that letter was in reality a communication authorised by his superior. We have no hesitation in saying we do not believe it; for had Dr Hulme written, there would at least have been a gentlemanly tone in what was said ; and, moreover, a secretary usually in one way or other expresses that he writes by command. We think, therefore, the implied sanction of having written by authority is unfair to the Doctor. But we have not now to deal with the officials of the Hospital: the Executive has taken upon itself to refuse inquiry, and we know of no remedy but waiting the next meeting of the Provincial Council, when the matter cannot be allowed to rest. The correspondence is as follows ■

Evening Star Office, September 3, 1873. SlR,—I have the honor to enclose copies of letters which have appeared in the public journals, in which the subordinate officials have taken a part, which I submit is not only out of their province, but which should have had the sanction of their superiors. Although only one of their letters has appeared in print, I had another sent me—which was not published—by an of the Hospital. On perusal of the correspondence, your Honor will see that the letters have been evoked in consequence of Dr Sorley’s reference to a report currently believed that a man was in danger of being treated as dead—nay, who actually was so treated. If this be not true, for the interests of the institution it seems to be the duty of the Provincial Surgeon to contradict it; but so far as appears he has treated public opinion on this matter with contempt. I am daily in receipt of letters complaining of the management of the Hospital, and letters have appeared in the Bruce Herald, containing statement which, if true, reflect great discredit upon it. I have not published these, lest it should be injured in public estimation, and its usefulness interfered with. But investigation is needed; and on behalf of the public I must press upon your Honor that it should not be delayed. I need not say a word about the impropriety of the House Steward’s conduct. His letters speak for themselves. I trust your Honor will therefore instruct such steps to be taken as will ensure to the public that the necessary care, cleanliness, and attention are given to the patients ; and also that only such servants are employed as understand their duties as public servants. A commission of inquiry is urgently needed. I have the honor to be, &c., Geo. Bell. To his Honor the Superintendent of Otago.

Provincial Secretary’s Office, Dunedin, September 19, 1873, Sir, —Referring to your letter, dated the 3rd instant, addressed to his Honor the Superintendent at Wellington, enclosing copies of letters which have appeared in the public journals relative to the management of the Dunedin Hospital, and which his Honor duly transmitted for the consideration of the Executive Government, I am now directed to inform you that the house steward of an hospital always acts as secretary, and, therefore, in the particular instance of Dr Sorley’s letter of August 26, was the proper party to refute the allegations therein contained.

lam moreover directed to point out to you that Dr Sorley’s statement was conclusively refuted in the columns of the Daily Times, and apparently, as is gathered from Dr Huhne’s statement, would have been refuted in the Evening Stab, had not the Editor of that paper declined to publish the denials of the head wardsman and the night-watchman. — I am, &c., Alex, Willis, Under-Secretary. [The above was written before receipt of Dr Sorley’s letter.]