INQUIRY INTO KUMARA HOSPITAL MATTERS.

Kumara Times, Issue 2774, 12 August 1885, Page 2

INQUIRY INTO KUMARA HOSPITAL MATTERS.

- [Bofore J. Giles, Esq., .R.M., and Major Keddell, Esq., R.M. The inquiry into the late proceedings of the Committee of the Kumara Hospital, having reference more especially to the dismissal of Dr. Monckton, late Surgeon Superintendent of the Hospital, and the appointment of Dr. Davy to that position, was resumed at half-past two o'clock on Saturday afternoon. Before the Court adjourned, we should in our last issue have noted, the Commissioners wished to know how many more witnesses Dr. Monckton wished to call 1 Dr. Monckton said about twelve. But after some remarks from the Court lift said he would confine himself to calling members of the committee. In response to ,-t similar question, Mr Burger said he did not intend to call any more unless something j

should turn up requiring rebutting evidence. Dr. Giles quite agi'eed with Mr Burger, as they (the Commissioners) did not see the utility of calling witnesses on the committee's part until some rebutting evidence was required ; so far, he thought, they could rest on their oars and merit. The Court then adjourned, and, on resuming, Mr R. E. Wylde, Secretary to the Hospital Committee, was called to produce the miuute-book and read the various minutes, with dates, &c, referring to the dismissal of Dr. Monckton and the appointment of Dr. Davy, which was accordingly done. The new surgeon-superintendent was theu called. Dr. Davy said : My name is Thomas George Davy. I have heard Mr Wylde's statement re my appointment, which sfcatemeut is perfectly correct. T arrived in Kumara on the evening of June 2. Some of the Hospital Committee met me at the tram station. I then went to the Empire Hotel, and while there I understood that things were not comfortable between Dr. Monckton and the Committee. I was told there was a meeting of the Committee that night ; also that next day I should be installed. My Wylde informed me that the Clubs were secured to Dr. Monckton ; Mr Ziegler told me distinctly the contrary. Mr Wylde gave a reason for thia : he said Dr. Monckton had received letters from the clubs. On the following day I went to the Hospital, and was installed, and in the evening I was actively employed in taking over the things. Whilst so employed Dr. Monckton entered the ward, and, in a manner which I considered insolent, asked mo if I knew I was an intruder, and asked me for my written authority from the committee. I had none, and answered that I was not responsible for the committee's acts. I rebuked Dr. Monckton. I walked up from the Hospital with Dr. Monckton, and had a troubled conversation with him. On the following morning I received a letter from him informing me that I was " entrapped into a low pot-house," etc. I called on Dr. Monckton, and went to Mr Seddpn's. I was left alone with Mr Seddon, who informed me that the clubs were secured to Dr. Monckton. I was then favoured with an interview with Mr Campbell, whose remarks still further tended to throw doubt on what had been told me by members of the Committee. I was distinctly dissatisfied with these matters till I fell into the company of Mr Hannah who convinced me that the clubs would not be as firm in their allegiance to Dr. Monckton as I had been led to expect I had contemplated leaving, but then agreed to remain a month. I told various members of the committee of this determination. I received deputations from the Clubs, in the course of which it was agreed that they should pay me from that time, which they did. I accepted this. I saw clearly that the committee were in a difficulty. Afterwards I signed the agreement at the request of Messrs Hannah, Ziegler and others. Mr Burger advised me to let the agreement stand over, as they had received an important telegram from the Government. I considered that my appointment had already been made. I did not go so far as to say to Mr Seddon that the committee had hoodwinked me, but said to him that the whole thing was a fraud. I judged from Mr Seddon's remarks that the position would be a very uncomfortable one. I certainly did not tell Mr Seddon that I refused to accept I tho appointment. I complain rather of Dr. Mouckton's manner than of his words. By Mr Burger: I never had any conversation with Mr Seddon after the first. I don't t-hiuk Dr. Mouckton's letter was addressed " Louis Ziegler's public house." I saw you subsequent to the signing of the agreement, and you told me that the agreement was of no use, which I was quite willing to believe. I decided to stop. I made no official report; I considered myself engaged and installed in my office. Mr Han nan said : My name is Dennis Hannan. I wrote a letter and sent it to Mr Seddon asking him to hand it to tho Government. On the same day I gave a copy to the proprietor of the Kumara Times, and told him if he liked he might insert it in the evening paper. I am of the firm opinion that a large number of votes were secured by giving tickets on credit. At a meeting before the last election, at which I was chairman, I suggested that new members should be elected. I stood, and was elected. During the election day it was currently reported that Dr. Monckton's friends were buying tickets for votes, while others were getting thorn on credit. At a meeting of Committee afterwards, I conceived the idea of getting un Electoral Roll; 11

because for pvery vote the committee should have 10s. The report of a subcommittee appointed to compare Rol s with the cash book shewed a deficiency of 13 or 14 tickets. The division ,ou the question for dismissal of Dr. Monckton before the election w-ts 7 to 5, and after the election it was 6 to 5., The reason for my writing the letter N . was that the secretary culled a meeting, which lapsed for want of a quorum. A. meeting was then call«d for the same purpose, at which I could nob attend, and at this meeting a letter was seat to the Colonial Secretary, which letter was altogether misleading. I called on the secretary, and he shewed me an agreement signed by several members of the committee and Dr. Davy. When Mr Putkiss' and Mr Warner's letters were received, I proposed that as the Government supplied the committee with a large amount of funds, the opinion of the Attorney-General should be obtained. This the committee refused to do. By Dr. Monckton : As far as the Hospital is concerned you have never done anything to warrant your dismissal. I firmly believe that your loss of popularity was due to the action you took, and not to any other cause. You have in my opinion been as good a surgeon to the Hospital as it is possible to be. I know of no public reason why Mr Burger should be against yon. I have heard him state that he had no objection to you except that you had insulted him. By Mr Burger : I have never taken any prominent part in Hospital matters in this district, but have done so in the Stafford district for eight or niue years. I am aware that the feeling was so intense that Dr. Monckton's friends threatened to withdraw their support, as also did those who were against him. The Court adjourned shortly after half-past five o'clock till 7 p.m. On resuming, Mr Burger applied that Joseph Meade's evidence should be taken, as he had a long distance to go and was anxious to get away. Joseph Meade, called, stated: I wish to refute a statement by Dr. Monckton. Three days before going to the doctor I went to a friend who advised me to go to the Hospital; the nurse dressed my finger and advised me to see the doctor about it before I went away, as she said she did not like the look of it. I saw the doctor, who said " How am I to live with the likes of you comiug here?" He advised me to dip it in cold water, and pay a shilling. I went to the chemists after seeing Dr. Monckton. I was about three weeks idle with the bad finger. I was the holder of a ticket at the time. I would not have taken a ticket if he had remained. I took a ticket to have a vote to put the doctor out. George Rudkin stated : lama member of the Hospital Committee, aud was so previous to the last election. I did not consider the committee had sufficient grounds before them in Meade's case to dismiss the surgeon. I was. aware there were numerous complaints and much ill-feeling in the matter. I believed I was returned to take part in the geuetal management of the Hospital, and not to support any particular doctor. I took no part in the election to secure votes, and made no pledges. I found, on reelection, that matters were much worse than before, and from the feeling of the public and the committee I saw it would be impossible to carry on the Kumara Hospital with Dr. Monckton aa surgeon. I took no further part in any discussion relating to Dr. Monckton, and was not present at the meeting when he received notice. By Mr Burger: There were other cases similar to Meade's, but they were not brought in writing before the committee in a formal manner. I remember Hyndman's case; he was wandering about the town. Mr Seddon and I took him back to the Hospital. Dr. Monckton had given orders that he should not be re-admitted on any account. [Dr. Monckton : That is admitted, your Worships.] I recollect Allmau's case, and also the complaints and ill-feeling at the lime. I was not then a member of the committee. I remember going with Mr Burger and Mr Nicholas to see Dr. Monckton about Mrs Hardy. On that occasion Dr. Monckton told Mr Burger that he was "a wrong-headed obstructionist," and that he always opposed him in everything : his manner was very insulting to Mr Burger, who gave the doctor no provocatiou whatever, either then or at committee meetings, and never spoke outside the business of the hospital at meetings. Mrs Hardy and her husband were old subscribers, and the committee were very anxious to get her in the Hospital. The committee thought •oom could be made for her, as the wauls had been of en fuller before, ibuut a week afierwu.dj Dr. ALonckton ■aid if he received a written order from

the committee he would have taken her in; she was lying at her own house during this time. Her husband had to attend to his work in the daytime. She died shortly after being admitted. Alexander Odder Campbell stated : I am not now a member of the committee. I have been a member for about six years, and treasurer for eighteen months, up to time of resigning membership. I have very little to add to the evidence a 1 ready adduced. There was a letter of complaint sent in to the committee by Mr Burger ; the letter was read and simply ordered to lie on the table. The doctor was most preeminently a hospital surgeon ; very attentive; scarcely a month hut he sent in some recommendation for improvement; in fact, the Hospital was his hobby. Prom this time Mr Burger always pooh-poohed any suggestion that came from the doctor. I I do not say that Mr Burger said the doctor ought not to be consulted at all. I remember Mrs Hardy's case. Strong language was used. I said it would be better to consult Dr. Monckton. It has been stated that many subscribers wold not subscribe again while Dr. Monckton was surgeon. The only thing I noticed was that Dr. Monckton took too much interest in the institution. The Premier when he was here remarked to one of the committee " You've got a doctor now as good as any in New Zealand ; he's only a little eccentric." To Mr Burger : I stood for the new committee and polled as high as you did in Kumara. I know of instances of drugs being ordered without the knowledge or consent of the doctor. I do not remember the doctor interfering in committee meetings without being asked. I did not do all in my power to persuade Dr. Davy to throw up his appointment. Mr Burger he said he had no more witnesses to bring forward. Dr. Giles thought they had heard witnesses to all the allegations. Major Keddell said it was very hard to avoid making fresh statements not corroborated by evidence already adduced. Mr Burger said he was quite agreeable to leave the matter in their Worships' hands. Dr. Giles said the whole evidence •was in a nutshell ; it was not like a complicated case. He complimented the gentlemen who had conducted the case and the witnesses. He considered that both parties had shown a desire to assist them in making the inquiry. He had every reason to be satisfied, and thanked the parties for the assistance they had given them. They would proceed to Hokitika, where they would draw up a report for the Government, and until then the result of their inquiry would not transpire. The inquiry is uow closed. THE BAD AND WORTHLESS Are never imitated or counterfeited. This is especially true of a family medicine, and it is positive proof that the remedy imitated is of the highest value. As soon as it -had been tested and proved by the whole w,orld that Hop Bitters was the purest, best and the most valuable family medicine on earth, many imitations sprung up and began to steal the notices in which the press and the people of the country had expressed the merits of H. 8., and in every way trying to induce suffering invalids to use their stuff instead, expecting to make money and credit on the good name of H. B. . Many others started nostrums put up in similar style to H. 8., with variously devised names in which the word "Hop" or "Hops" were used in a way to induce people to believe they were the same as Hop Bitters. All such pretended remedies or cures, no matter what their style or name is, and especially those with the word *' Hop " or " Hops " in their name or in any way connected with them or their name, are imitations or counterfeits. Beware of them. Touch none of them. Use nothing but genuine American Hop Bitters, with a bunch or cluster of green Hops on the white label, and Dr. Soule's name blown in the glass. Trust nothing else. Druggists and Chemists are warned against dealing in imitations or counterfeits.