THEFT OF CHEQUES.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLVIII, Issue 3666, 16 July 1927, Page 3

THEFT OF CHEQUES.

Christchurch, Last Night,

At the Police Court William James Cox, described as a seaman and cook, pleaded not guilty and was committed for trial on charges of theft at Palmerston North of cheques valued at over and obtaining credit by fraud at Feilding to the extent of nearly £6 by representing that he was entitled to the possession of one of the stolen cheques.

The police case was that Mrs. Coley* who was introduced to accused by another woman, adjourn ed to an hotel and had drinks. Later she missed the cheques and a sum of money also in her purse. A taxi-driver gave evidence of driving accused and a female companion to Feilding where accused allegedly tried to cash one of the missing cheques to pay for some clothes purchased for his companion.

OTAKI COTTAGE HOSPITAL. DIRECTOR-GENERAL OF HEALTH. TRIES TO FORCE BOARD’S HANDS. Some years ago the Horowbenua County Council petitioned the. Palmerston North Hospital Board to have its county merged into the Palmerston North Hospital District on the'grounds that the Palmerston Hospital would he more convenient to the settlers than Wellington. The petition was agreed to conditionally that the Horowhenua County would contribute £SOOO towards extra accomodation at the hospital te meet the requirements of . their patients and, further, that the Otaki cottage hospital be excluded from the merger. This was agreed to by both parties and the Health Department took over the Otaki cottage hospital, the Palmerston Board being responsible for the collection of patients fees admitted to the Otaki institution.

This arrangement was carried on until March last year when the fact that the Department was using the Otaki Hospital more or less as an Old Men’s Home became obvious to the Board and the Board felt that it could not continue to guarantee the fees in such circumstances. After much discussion the Board agreed to maintain four beds. This aroused the indignation of the Otaki people who agitated for the retention of the hospital. The matter was referred to the Minister for Public Health and the Prime Minister with the result that the Director-General of Health waited upon the Board at Thursday’s meeting with the object of settling the matter and* forcing the Board to act contrary to its expressed policy and agreement. The Director-General said he proposed’ recommending the Board to put the Otaki Hospital into a proper state of repair so that it would be available for eases of accident, illness and minor surgery. All cases, however, requiring urgent surgical attention necessitating major operations were be sent by ambulance to Palmerston North so that there might be available a sufficient staff of medical men and nurses to deal effectually with such eases. Arrangements would also be made in regard to the medical staffing of the Otaki Hospital to meet the situation. The Director-General mentioned that he had seen the representatives of the Otaki people and explained to them that he would be very much against anything in the nature of severe surgical and medical cases being treated at Otaki. He said he had given the reasons for the stand he was taking —reasons which applied to all country hospitals. They heard my objections to the hospital being used for severe cases and there was not a single dissent to what I had said. They all admitted that my suggestions were quite reasonable and they intimated that they didn’t want severe cases treated there.

“1 told them,” continued the Di-rector-General, “that I would place the matter before the Palmerston North Board and I am here to ask you to put the. hospital in a state of repair and have it made ready for ordinary eases. The hospital as it stands now can be put in good order The hospital as it stands now, however, can be put in good order for £7UU which meant an expenditur of £350 by the Board. “I hope and have ev»ry reason to believe that the Board will accept their responsibility with regard to the Otaki Hospital and put it in repair for the reception of minor cases,” continued the Director-Gen-eral, who added that lie''promised the Otaki -committee that he would see that a proper ambulance was stationed at Otaki for the major cases. He did not mean by that, that the present ambulance was not suitable but if he found it was not suitable then he would ask the Board to provide a proper one. “If 1 have been premature in my suggestions, I am sorry but the facts remain. You can’t fail to admit that the Department has saved you an expenditure at the very least of £1,400 since it took the hospital over. You are a wealthy Board — one of the wealthiest in the Dominion.”

The chairman: “Whether the Board will accept your proposals I can’t say but we will take them into consideration. They are questions which require very grave consideration and we didn’t anticipate that this would be the answer of the Minister in connectios with .the Otaki Hospital.” Dr. Valintine: “1 expect this matter to be settled now. We must not put it off. I have pledged! my word to the Otaki people that it will be settled one way or another immediately.” - Mr. J. K. Hornblow: “Who holds the deeds of the hospital?” Dr. Valintine: “The Wellington Hospital Board, but they are quite willing to hand them over to you.” The chairman: “The Wellington Board won’t take the hospital b aC k $ ** Dr. Valintine: “No, they won’t.” (Laughter). Mr. Hornblow expressed the hope that decision would be deferred so that members could carefully review the Director’s proposals. He moved that the matter be referred to the executive for a report. The chairman: “I think that is the proper course. 1 don’t think we can possibly be expected to settle the question in a summary manner as we would not be doing jus tice to the ratepayers seeing it will

largely increase the expenditure of the Board.”

“I very much regret that. I must, ask you to settle the question now,” said Dr. Valintine. “The total capital expenditure would not be more than £350.”

“I object strongly,” said the Chairman. “I do not know whether Dr. Valintine has authority to tell us to settle it now, but, if he has, I refuse to accept it. It is for you to say, gentlemen, whether you will be told what you are to do in this matter.”

Mr. G. A. Monk urged Dr. Valentine to allow the bd&rd to consider the matter at greater length.

Dr Valintine then, remarked that if he had the assurance of Mr. Monk that he was not breaking faith with the Otaki residents, he would be prepared to allow the Board to consider the matter at greater length.

The chairman: Where have you the power, Doctor, to tell us that we must decide the matter immediately?

Dr. Valintine: I don’t erae to reveal these powers unless I’m absolutely obliged. (Laughter). Mr. Hornblow’s motion that the matter be dealt with at a meeting of the executive and a report submitted to the next meeting of the Board, was carried.