CHARITIABLE AID BOARD.

Globe, Volume XXI, Issue 1805, 4 December 1879, Page 3

CHARITIABLE AID BOARD.

The Hospital and Charitable Aid Board held its ordinary meeting yesterday. Present—Mr Thomson (chairman), the Mayor of Christchurch, and Messrs J. E. Brown and Booth.

The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed.

The usual statement as to the number of patients in the Hospital was read and adopted. Of patients admitted during the fortnight there were 21 ; discharged during same period, 20, and three deaths occurred ; the number of patients remaining in the Hospital, 75. The appointment of Wm. Boker to bo gatekeeper, in room of Johnston, resigned, was confirrasd.

Correspondence was read in reference to the complaint of Dr. Townend, regarding the action of Dr. Coward, as Coroner, in holding an inquest on the body ot a hospital patient, including a letter from the Hon. Mr Holieston, stating that the Coroner appeared to have acted inadvertently, and a letter of explanation was also read from Dr. Coward.

It was resolved that the correspondence be sent to Dr. Townord.

Copies of the new Hospital and Charitable Institutions Act wore laid upon the tablo._ The Chairman stated that he had received the copy of a letter addressed to the Government by members of the medical staff in Christchurch, as to tho management of the hospital. The letter, which was of considerable length, was then read ; also one from Dr. Ellis.

The Chairman said there were one or two matters appeared to call for comment, such as one or two mis-statements and tho offensive nature of certain allegations contained in the letters referred to.

The Mayor of Christchurch hoped the correspondence would be published. It appeared plain that the person who wrote the long statement which had been read was identical with the person who wrote a letter which appeared in a Christchurch evening paper, and in which the name of Mr Thomson (the chairman) appeared something like twentyeight times. As to what was said about Dr. Townend, he failed to see that the Board had adopted an extreme course with regard to that gentleman. He was a prominent and popular physician, in every way qualified for the office, and to say, therefore, that an extreme course had been taken in appointing him was quite unjustifiable, and he was quite certain the public would not coincide with tho views expressed by Dr. Ellis. As to Dr. Townend advertising himself it appeared to him (the speaker) that that gentleman was 'free to do so if he chose, and further he understood that gentlemen of the profession in this city had done so before, while that Dr. Ellis had taken that means of increasing his reputation was shown by a pamphlet to which he had subscribed his name.

The Chairman suggested whether it would be well to say anything in reply to the Government on the matter.

Mr Ick submitted that the correspondence spoke for itself. Ho considered it almost unworthy of notice. Mr Booth thought it might be unwise to publish the letters without applying to the Colonial Secretary, from whom they were obtained hy request. The Chairman pointed out that the first letter was also obtained in the same way. Mr Booth thought the result of publishing the correspondence with the Board’s comments thereon might be a further retort from the other side, and thus an endless discussion might arise. Mr J. E. Brovin suggested that the correspondence should not be published, as it certainly would not be productive of any good, and was certainly calculated to damage the medical gentlemen concerned in its production, containing as it did many things they would be ashamed of. In the next place, it would not tend to prevent further contention, at least on the part of the professional gentlemen, who were like unto the little boy that sat on a gate prepared to “ argufy ” with any and everybody that passed. He felt no doubt the public fully endorsed the action taken by the Board, and he thought it was well for the Boird to let the doctors down as easily as possible. Mr Ick did not care so much about the letter from the Colonial Secretary, but he should press his motion so far as Dr. Ellis’s letter was concerned.

The Chairman opined that no concession they could make would have the effect of throwing oil on the troubled waters. Mr Brown thought they might be gratifying the gentleman by advertising him cheaply. The Chairman held that it was not a matter for them to consider whether the letter should be published or not. It should be left to the discretion ef the Press, the letter being a public document. Mr Brown moved—“ That the Colonial Secretary bo informed that the Board considers it unnecessary to waste any more time in replying to specious statements made by certain members of the late hospital staff, and confidently rely upon the Government in sustaining the Board in its voluntary and arduous duties.” The resolution was seconded by Mr Ick and carried. The house steward’s report was read and approved. The Board went into committee on several

matters. On resuming the Chairman reported following resolutions “ That applications be called for the services of a matron to the Christchurch Hospital, who must be a trained Hospital nurse ; salary, £IOO per annum.” 11 That applications be invited from medical men to form the hospital staff for the year ending 31st December, 1880.” _ “ That the secretary be instructed to advertise for applications from medical men willing to perform the duties of medical officer for the charitable aid department.” Mr Brown referred to the sickness which had broken out in the Orphanage, and stated what precautionary measures had been taken since the 19fch ult. He also read a report from Dr. McDonald, who attributed the sickness to the dampness of the ground under the building. He also stated that further steps had been taken to discover the cause, and to apply the proper remedy. The Chairman stated that he had telegraphed to the Government for an official inspection, but had received no reply. Mr Ick moved, and it was agreed to—- “ That Mr Brown, as a member of the Orphanage committee, be requested to visit the Orphanage, with power to act.” It was resolved to grant the request of the master of the Orphanage for sanction to make an appeal to the public on behalf of the children for the Christmas, new year, and recreation fund. The Canterbury Orphan Asylum report for the month of November was read, showing no withdrawals for the month, and only one admission, the child’s name being Ernest J. Matthews. This left the number—boys 62, girls 40; for the corresponding month of last year the numbers wore—boys 58, girls 41. On the motion of Mr Brown, who reported re the Ashburton Home, it was resolved to recommend to the Goverment the addition of two bedrooms to the building. Several matters of a routine character were dealt with, and the Board then adjourned at six o’clock.