KUMARA HOSPITAL.

Kumara Times, Issue 2649, 4 March 1885, Page 2

KUMARA HOSPITAL.

*+* The ordinary meeting of the Hospital Committee was held in the Town Hall last evening; present—Mr W. Nicholson (in the chair), Messrs Burger, Voysey, Hannan, Garguilo, Hannah, Ziegler, Hope, Wooldridge, Metcalfe, and Wildridge. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. The outward correspondence was read and approved of, and the inward read and received. A letter was read from the SurgeonSuperintendent stating that two hypodermic syringes which had been in use at the Hospital for many months (one his own property) had become useless, and he therefore asked for two new ones, one for the Hospital, and the other to replace his own, which, after considerable service, was worn out. They would cost something under a £1 a piece, and he suggested that they be obtained by post from Sydney, as on account of the plug-nozzles not being obtainable in Wellington, the staff had to put up with one of a very inferior description. After a little discussion the letter was referred to the House Committee, with power to act. The following letter from Patients in the Hospital was then read:— To the Hospital Commiteee. Gentlemen—We, the undersigned, desire to express our grateful acknowledgment for Dr. Monckton's attention and kindly treatment to us whilst patients under his charge in the Kumara Hospital. We request this token of our feelings may be recorded on your minutes, and that you will allow a copy to be placed in the hands of the Surgeon-Superintendent. Name. Residence. William F. Thompson Kumara Mrs Angus Greenstone John Martin Dunedin Flat Andrew Carlstrom Dunedin Flat Michael Herlihy Larrikins William Bain Larrikins James Tait Dillman's Road Susan Wells Kumara William Talbot Kumara Mrs Cooney (for Dennis Cooney) Kumara John Rouse Kumara J. C. Isbister Kumara Mary Hurren (for William Hurren) Kumara On the question being asked, it was stated that 11 out of the 14 were nonsubscribers to the institution. After some few remarks as to the propriety of forwarding the letter to the Committeß, and a motion being proposed that the letter be referred to the doctor, it was resolved that the doctor receive a copy of the petition. The Wardsman's Report for the month ending 28th February was read and received. It stated that the total number of In-Patients treated during February was 13, of whom 3 were discharged cured; 1 died, so that there were 9 remaining in the Hospital. Wm. Ames, of scalp wounds, &c, Wm. Talbot, of aneurism, &c, and John Lord, of articular rheumatism, were the three discharged cured: Alfred Skilton died of cirrhosis, &c. The patients who still remained under treatment were— F. Andrews, diseased bone in leg; Andrew Carlstrom, paralysis; Michael Herlihy, crushed foot; Wm. Bain, fractured skull; John Martin, fractured large bone of leg; W. F. Thompson, fractured upper arm ; Mary Angus and James Tait, fractured large and small bones of leg; and Susan Wells, rheumatism. The Report was received. With regard to the Secretary's report on tickets purchased and the late election, the Treasurer reported that he had received satisfactory security for the amount of the deßciency, payable within two months, Mr Hannah moved—" That the consideration of the Secretary's report be deferred for two months." •Mr Ziegler thought it would be much better if the money were paid in at once. Mr Wooldridge seconded the motion, which was put and carried. The reply of the Surgeon-Superinten-dent to a resolution passed at a previous ordinary meeting of the Committee—" That Dr. Monckton be asked to send in his resignation by next ordinary meeting," and which had been held over for consideration, was now again brought up. Letter read, as follows: To the Secretary, Kumara Hospital. Sir—l have received your letter containing a copy of motion passed at the previous Committee meeting to the effect that I be requested to resign.

Such a resolution requires to be accompanied by something explanatory, if no charges have been brought against my performance of the functions of Hospital surgeon. If charges have been laid, I demand to be confronted with them as a matter of common justice. I remain, Sir, Yours obediently,. F. A. Monckton, Surgeon Superintendent. February 17, 1885. Mr Hope did not see that the matter required any explanation. The doctor knew perfectly well the reasons the Committee had for dismissing him. He moved—" That Dr. Monckton receive three months' notice from tonight." Mr Metcalfe would like to know on what grounds the doctor should be dismissed. Mr Wooldridge seconded the motion. Mr Metcalfe would like to hear some distinct aud reasonable charges made. If the Committee were resolved upon dismissing the doctor, he ought to be confronted with the charges upon which it was intended to dismiss him. Mr Hope said the question had been decided by the votes of the subscribers in electing the new committee. Mr Hanuan moved that Mr Hope's motion be amended as follows:—" That before Dr. Monckton receive three months' notice, he shall be confronted with any charges laid agaiust him, on paper." Mr Burger rose to a point of order. The question before the Commitee was the consideration of the letter. Mr Metcalfe seconded the amendment; surely the Committee were prepared to give a reason. The Chairman thought there was a way of getting out of this. They wera a new committee, and should look at the matter from their present standpoint. They would have considerable trouble in getting a doctor, that is a surgeon who could perform the duties faithfully. Mr Garguilo thought it would be unfair to dismiss the doctor without giving distinct aud sufficient reasons for complaint. Mr Burger was surprised if this question had to be fought over again. The doctor might give satisfaction to patients, as no doubt he does; but he did not, or would not, pull with the Committee. The subscribers had really decided the question, and taken it out of the hands of the Committee. Mr Hannan, hi replying, said that the same thing bad occurred in Auckland ; the Committee had asked the doctor to resign, and the doctor would not, and had applied to the Government for a commission of inquiry. The committee were, he believed, still awaiting the result of the action of Government. The amendment was then put, and a division taken, with the following result :—Ayes, 5 Messrs Nicholson, Voysey, Hannan, Garguilo, Metcalfe. Noes, 6—Messrs Burger, Hannah, Ziegler, Hope, Wooldridge, Wildridge. The Chairman then moved another amendment, as follows:—"That the duties of Hospital Surgeon having been faithfully performed by Dr. Monckton, there is not sufficient reason before this Committee for giving him three months' notice of dismissal." The motion was seconded by Mr Metcalfe; and afterwards put to a division, resulting in precisely the same manner as the previous division. The Chairman declared the amendment lost, and on putting the original motion, a division ensued, resulting in reversing the votes, as follow:—Ayes, 6—Messrs Burger, Hannah, Ziegler, Hope, Wooldridge, Wildridge. Noes, s—Messrs Nicholson, Voysey, Hannan, Garguilo, Metcalfe. Tho original motion, therefore, "That Dr. Monckton receive three months' notice from to-night," was carried by a majority of 1. Accounts to the amount of £56 7s 6<l were passed for payment. Receipts were handed in as follows : Government subsidy, £6O 4s; by the Wardsman, 7s; Mr Wooldridge, 10s; Mr Voysey, £1 Is; Mr Ziegfer, £2; Mr Metcalfe, £1; Mr Wildridge, £3.— Total £6B 2d. The following receipts were omitted fiom the report of the previous meeting:—Proceeds of lecture by the Hon. R, Stout, Premier, £l4 2s. By Mr Garguilo, £1; Mr J. Metcalfe, 10s; Mr J. Wooldridge, 10s—Total, £l6 2s.