KUMARA HOSPITAL.

Kumara Times, Issue 2692, 8 May 1885, Page 2

KUMARA HOSPITAL.

The adjourned meeting of the Hospital Committee for the consideration of applications for the office of SurgeonSuperintendent was held in the Town Hall last evening. There were present—Mr Burger (in the chair), Messrs Nicholson, Watson, Wildridge, Ziegler, Hannah, Hope, Rudkin, and Woold ridge.

The Secretary reported having telegraphed to Drs. Davy and Watson re their ages, and whether married or single, and that Dr. Porter had telegraphed that Mr Davy was 28 years of age, and unmarried. Dr. Watson had not replied.

Mr Burger said that before dealing with the final appointment of SurgeonSuperintendent to the Hospital be would like to mention that the Rev. Mr Heffernau had drawn his attention to the fact that among the applications was a most suitable gentleman for the office, one whom he had known for a number of years, and whom he could confidently recommend for the position. Although the applicants bad been reduced to two, he would like to have the opinion of the Committee whether it would not now be advisable to reconsider the other applications. Mr Nicholson asked to see the agreement entered into between Dr Monckton (on his taking office) and the Committee.—[Agreement produced and read.]—Before proceeding with the]

election of a doctor for the Hospital, and after hearing the agreement entered into with Dr. Monckton, he thought' it advisable, after seeitig Mr Purkiss's opinion that the Committee should have an independent legal opinion on the subject. By an independent opinion he meant one from a solicitor not engaged by Dr. Monckton, so as to prevent them as a Committee leaving themselves open to an action at Court. He would move—" That this meeting be adjourned till Tuesday next; and in the meantime the Secretary procure the legal advice of an independent lawyer on the subject of Mr Purkiss's letter; and also that the Secretary inform the members of this Committee, by letter, that applications for the post of Surgeon-Superintendent will be considered and dealt with at said meeting." It would be very unpleasant to find that they should require to p>iy two doctors for the next six months, and the adoption of this motion would be complying with the rule laid down for meetings of importance. Mr G. Watson seconded the motion. Tie thought no harm could be done by postponing the meeting a day or two. Mr Burger had no objection to the adjournment, but he had a decided objection to the Committee's funds being squandered in legal opinions, as proposed by Mr Nicholson. If any individual member wanted a legal opinion, he ought to pay for it out of his own pocket. He was also surprised at seeing Mr Nicholson taking his stand here to-night, as when the question was brought up on Tuesday night, he coolly walked out without saying a word on it.

Mr Hannah did not see any good in adjourning the meeting, except that they had no reply from Dr. Watson. Mr Nicholson was present on Tuesday when Mr Purkiss's letter was read. If he (Mr Nicholson) had anything to say on the subject, he should have said it then.

Mr Hope would wish to hear the resolution passed at a previous meeting of the Committee in reference to the question of raising the Wardsman's salary. Resolution read, as follows :—" It was resolved that in future no business of importance be transacted without notice of motion being given." Mr Burger moved an amendment, as follows:—"That on account of no notice of motion having been given of the meeting held on Tuesday, the sth inst, for the purpose of appointing a Surgeon-Superintendent, that the resolutions reducing the number of applicunts to two be rescinded, and this Committee adjourn till Tuesday, the 12th inst.; and that in the meantime the Secretary give due notice in writing to all the members that the appoint* ment of Surgeon-Superintendent will be made on that date."

Mi- Rudkin seconded the amendment. He said there was no immediate necessity for hurrying the matter of appointment, as it was most desirable that the fullest information should be obtained with regard to the candidates. In respect to Mr Nicholson's motion, he could not support it. It was perhaps open to any member of tbe Committee to take a legal opinion, if necessary; but the Committee would not be justified in expending money for that purpose at present.

Mr Nicholson replied. His motion was given on behalf of the Committee as well as in the interest of the public. Mr Pnrkiss has the name of being a* clever lawyer, and there might be danger in neglecting the warning conveyed in his letter. At all events, as it seemed the meeting would have to be adjourned till Tuesday, there would be no harm in takiug a legal opinion on the matter; it would not cost at most more than a couple of guineas. The amendment was then put and the Chairman declared it carried. Mr Nicholson called for a division. Division taken, as follows: Ayes, 6—Messrs Burger, Wildridge, Hannah, Rudkin, Hope; Noes, 3 Messrs Nicholson, Watson, Wooldridge. The amendment was then put as the substantive motion, and carried; and the meeting adjourned accordingly till Tuesday evening next.