ASKED TO RESIGN

Hokitika Guardian, 17 February 1933, Page 2

ASKED TO RESIGN

MATRON OF WAIHI HOSPITAL.

ALLEGATIONS MADE BY STAFF.

WAIHI, February 15

The inquiry by the Waihi Hospital Board into, complaints by ex-members of the domestic staff and other employees at the hospital, who alleged unfair treatment on the part of the matron, Miss K. Stevenson, was resumed last evening, the chairman of the board, Mr T. Jowsey, presiding. When the inquiry was opened on January 31 the board, after hearing certain complaints, adopted a resolution expressing the opiirjo'u that the want of tact and realisation of the medical .superintendent and matron as to their responsibilities as heads of the institution, was the cause of the trouble. An adjournment was granted at the request of counsel for Miss Stevenson to enable the matron to furnish a complete answer to the charges brought against her. In a lengthy statement to the board last evening the matron denied practically the whole of the charges and stated that in the majority of instances the parties concerned had infused to carry out i?ier orders and had replied in such hostile and disrespectful terms that for the good conduct of the hospital the only course open to her was t 0 give a number of the staff notce of dismissal.

After discussion the board, by four votes to three, adopted a motion calk ing on the matron to tender her resignation on or before Tuesday. Mr J. F. Robertson expressed the opinion that the superintendent, Dr L. R, Hotherington, should also be asked to resign. He moved in that direction, but failed to find a seconder. 'Counsel fior Miss ySteveuson, commenting on the board’s decision, said that yesterday the chairman had calied on him with the object of discussing the possibility of the matron resigning, but be bad refused to discuss -the matter.

In the morning, said counsel, lie had been informed, that Mr Jowsey had interviewed the matron on the subject without consulting- him as her legal adviser, and had, 'he understood, suggested to Miss Stevenson that she would be acting in her best interests if she tendered her resignation. This, counsel contended, was a very improper act oil the part of the chairman. ■ A

Mr Jowsey admitted having called on the matron and said that while he had not actually asked her to resign he considered he was acting uvitiiin his province as chairman of tne poard and in Miss Stevenson’s best interests in discussing the position with her.

After further passages between counsel and the chairman the matter of. the chairman’s visit to the matron was not pursued further. . / ,