INDIGENT PERSONS

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Issue 204, 14 September 1937, Page 10

INDIGENT PERSONS

Question oi Disposal of Property The question of the difeposal of any property of indigent pefsons ivho have been buried at the expense of the board engagcd the attehtion of the Hawke's Bay Hospital Board at the monthly meeting in Napier j-esterday. Chvingj to the fact that the law does not appear elear on the matter, it was deeided to bring up the question before tlje Hospital Boards' Association to have the position defined. A discussion arose on the subject in regard to the death of a woman at a Hnfkuags boarding-house. She was buw^d 'at the expense of the board, &4fci later a gold watch and a ring, which had been taken possession of by the police, were handed over to the board. A claim on them, however was then niade by the boardinghouse keeper for three weeks' board. A legal opinion obtained was that the property should be handed back to the police. Mr C. O. Morse mentioned the question which had affected the Soutb Canterbury Board in regard to rings removed irom a woman's fingers in tlie mortuary. Hc suggested that the Hospital Boards' Association be asked to have tho position iu sueh cases cleaif/ defined. This was agreed to.