HOSPITAL WARDS

Hokitika Guardian, 22 August 1930, Page 2

HOSPITAL WARDS

HOLDING OF RELIGIOUS > SERVICES. AN AUCKLAND COMPLAINT. AUCKLAND, August 19. " Acting on the request of the Rational ist Association and a patient who complained of the singing of disma? Hymns in the hospital wards and the distribution of “religious tracts of a crude nature” the Auckland Hospital Board considered the question of forbidding religious services' in the wards unless with the special permission of the medical superintendent. The matter was eventually referred to committee. “I am surprised to find that it; possible for any group of people to go; into the wards and hold the services that have been described to us,” said, the Rev. W. C. Wood, after the reading of letters, “It must he very distressing to some people and is really an indiscriminate, infliction upon the patients.”

The complaint of the patient made specific reference to Saturday, August 2nd, when a body of people came into' the ward, played a harmonium and chanted « dismal hymn that sOllMtled more like It dit'ge. “ Being in bed 1 could not get itwny from the dismal proceedings,” added the writer, who said that a sermon was preached and tracts were distributed bearing the title, “Is there a hell ? ” " I think it is time the Board took some stand in this matter,” said, the chairman, Mr W. Wallace. He added that Canon Heselden and certain other ministers were appreciated by the patients, but there were others who were not. He moved that no denominations be allowed to bold services in the wards unless by authority of the medical superintendent. Mr E. H. Potter said that letters had been received from people holding what might be termed extreme views, and the whole matter should be given deeper, consideration. “I sympathise with those who object to the indiscriminate distribution of tracts and the efforts in m'any instances df ill-advised visitors,” said Mr Wood. “ The chairman’s motion, however, refers! only to services. In my opinion these should be given solely at the bedside and should be spoken in such a subdued voice that other people in the wards are not distressed. I have had some experience of hospital visiting but I never dreamed of holding services in wards. I think the patient’s letter refers to a very objectionable practice and it should not be allowed to continue.” He suggested that regulations should bd framed 111 the matter rather than throw the whole responsibility 015 to the medical superintendent. The medical superintendent, His C. ID. Maguire, said he had never received any definite complaint from patients concerning religious services. The people concerned visited the hospital every Saturday afternoon and apart from the services they conducted they made very handsome donations of strawberries and chocolates to ,the patients and nurses. An undertaking had been given that there would be no attempt to expound the Scriptures. The Chairman agreed to withould his motion and refer the matter to the house committee with a suggestion that regulations be framed to deal with religious services. .

within a limit of five marks, and now the report was going to reduce what was really 259 different classes to six all in one swoop. With salaries the report favoured service carrying the salary, while the board favoured the position carrying it. With this arrangement the grading svs. tem fitted admirably. With the otner system, too, there was a risk of the teacher who fought against what ne considered an injustice being placed at a disadvantage.

COUNCIL OF EDUCATION The Council of Education, composed of 17 of the leading educationists, was apparently not being taken .seriously, because its expenses were restricted to £2OO a year. If its constitution were revised so as to include some practical minds, and it were permitted to function properly, there would be no need for a Director and an Assistant Director of Education. This was a sphere in which retrenchment might bo made.

COMMENT BY MR BANKS. Mr W. A Banks, the new chairman commenting briefly on the report, said that it appeared as if most of the powers of local bodies controlling education were to be taken from them. Some of the school committees seemed to think that they might get more power, hut appointments, which were one of the chief concerns of a committee, would be made direct from Wellington. The people should have some say in the appointment of their teachers.