CHARITABLE AID BOARD.

Gisborne Times, Volume X, Issue 1033, 28 October 1903, Page 1

CHARITABLE AID BOARD.

A meeting of tho Charitable Aid Board was hold last night. Tho case of a young woman suffering from consumption, and for whom no public homo in tho colony could be found, caused considerable discussion, Crs Wbinray and Somervell making strong protests against there being no public provision for such cases, and it was agreed that the facts should be submitted to the Premier. Regarding the question of a medical officer for the Old Men's Home, Cr Wbinray said there was some misapprehension on the subject ; they were grateful to Dr Morrison for acting. The matter could bo Ic-ft in abeyance, but it would bo more satisfaction in time to have some one on whom they could call as a right. Cr LysD.ar said ho did not like the way tho Hospital Trustoes had acted in tho matter ; they wero just trying to shuffle out of it, and making unploasautnes3 by saying that they could not make arrangements. There had been no intention to bo discourteous to anyone. The trouble bad been that the custodian did not know if he had Aright to call on any doctor to attend tlwhinrnates. The Board was Dot doing its 'duty unless it saw that the custodian could call on Borneono. As tho Hospital Trustees did not seem to feel capable of doing anything, let the Board write direct to Dr Morrisoi and ask if ho wero prepared to act gratuitously. Ho did not complaiu of the doctors, but he did of tbo conduct of the Trustees ; the matter should be placed on a proper footiug. Tho secretary said that last week a case had occurred, and Dr Morrison had willingly attended. Cr Johnston said they knew Cr LysDar bad an old grievance against the Hospital Board, but if some members attended to their duty better they would know more about the Home. He cited the case of Dr Craig having attended day after day to cases, and Dr Morrison had always willingly attended. If the custodian said he did not know whom to send to he was not stating wnat was correct. Not only had tho Hospital doctor attended the ‘Homo, but the_ inmates went to the Hospital and obtained medicine thero. Some Councillors did not know what tboy were talking e-bout. The Mayor spoke very highly of tho way in which Drs Morrison and Craig had attended at tho Home. If they had fifty doctors they could not have clone better ; there were inmates with chronic ailments which no doctor could remedy.

Cr Lysnar again omphasised his contention that it should bo mado clear who was the doctor. The Hospital Board was only splitting straws. Cr Wbinray said he had been appliod to in the matter by the Custodian, wbo had not known of any arrangement. It was wrong to have a man sent from tho Hospital to the Home to be cared for tfiore. The Board were to blamo for allowing tho Custodian to bo placed in such a position. Cr Lysnar again urged that they should ascertain the position from the doctor himself. Cr Somervell said it was a question of £ s d. They wanted a doctor ernd ono was willing to act gratuitously, but they wanted to pay him. It was hotter to let the matter drop, and allow tho arrangement to continue. Tbo Mayor said they were asking for a paid doctor. Cr Wbinray denied that, and said ho hoped the papers would make a note of His Worship’s statement. He would appeal to Parliament if ho could not get any other means of looking into tho practice of shoving Hospital patients in the Old Men’s Home. Cr Lysnar moved that Dr Morrison be written to asking him if ho is willing to act as medical officer to the Home gratuitously, as hitherto. Cr Lynar said Dr Morrison had attended the Home whenever asked, and there was nothing to say against him. (Cr Wbinray: No one has.) What they required was to give definite instructions to the Custodian. The motion was seconded by Cr Somervell and carried.