PETTY LARCENY

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume 52, Issue 3279, 23 June 1943, Page 5

PETTY LARCENY

TROUBLE AT HOSPITAL PYJAMAS, SPOONS, KNIVES OCCURRENCE AT COROMANDEL A mild epidemic of petty larceny among a few hospital patients at the Coromandel Hospital resulting in pyjama trousers, spoons, forks and knives vanishing was reported by the resident surgeon, Dr. F. Birkinshaw, to the June meeting of the Thames Hospital Board. The surgeon’s report read as under :— ■ “The difficulty in obtaining cutlery, underclothes, etc., from private sources has led to a mild epidemic of petty larceny among a few hospital patients. Approximately 29 pyjama trousers have left the hospital (presumably under patients’ trousers and disguised as underpants) during the past six months. Spoons, forks and knives are also tending to vanish. All Should Be Marked “I suggest that all cutlery and crockery should be marked where possible with the initials of “THB” and that pyjamas should have a diamond cut out of them and fitted with material of contrasting colour.” The secretary, Mr A. L. Neighbour, said he thought it was not the board’s duty to provide pyjamas except in emergency . cases. Members agreed that patients should provide their own pyjamas. The secretary said the same -position applied in other hospitals under the board’s control. It was agreed to secure a report from the matron on the matter the opinion being expressed that with supervision the loss could be reduced.