Waipawa Hospital Board Goes Into Committee

Manawatu Times, Volume 62, Issue 41, 18 February 1937, Page 2

Waipawa Hospital Board Goes Into Committee

“HAPPENINGS SINCE LAST MEETING." (Special to “Times.") WAIPUKURAU, Feb. 17. “As far as I am concerned, I have no objection to the matter being taken in open board," said Mr P. R. Smyrk, secretary-manager of the Waipawa Hospital Board, today when the board debated the proposal of the chairman that certain happenings since the last board meeting should be discussed In committee. Objection to this procedure had been voiced by one of the members. “I take full responsibility on myself, and all that I have had to say so far has been made public," Mr Smyrk added. “I have no objection whatsoever to any of the things which may be brought up before the board this afternoon being made public," There was a full attendance pf board members at tho meeting. When the usual routine business had been concluded at 12.30 the chairman, Mr W. H. Rathbone, moved that the board should adjourn until 1.45 and then reassemble in committee to discuss certain Lappenings the last meeting of the board, Beforo the motion could bo seconded Mr N. J. Hawthorne asked if tho chairman thought it was wise to take the business in committee. The chairman: Yes, undoubtedly. You can see what is happening in Napier now. Yesterday there were about four columns in the newspapers about matters which should never have been made public. I say definitely that I consider we should take this matter in committee.

Mr. Hawthorne: I regret very much having to disagree with the chairman, but 1 think we should not take this matter in commitee. A good deal of it has already been made public, and it has become of intense public interest. The members of the board are practically on trial as to the efficient running of this institution. There is going to be some very plain speaking a t this meeting, and since the matter has already received so much publicity I feel that it is only right that we should take this in open meeting. Mr. R. A. Fraser: I agree with the chairman that we should go into committee, as there are severul other matters to discuss which must bo taken in committee.

Mr. L. Glenny and Mr. W. Matthews also approved of taking the matter in committee. •

Mr. B. J. Atkins: I think the matter should be taken into committee. There have been two letters published in the Press recently in which the writers have taken it into their own hands to judge tho matter, and which I consider should never have been published. I have, been a member of tho board for some years, during which the audit inspector’s reports have always been splendid, but now when a small matter such as this crops up the public has turned on the board like a pack of dogs. Mr. P. Hunter suggested that the board could go into committe and makp a statement to tho Press afterwards. With this the chairman agreed. On the proposal of Mr. Hunter, seconded by Mr. Glenny, it was decided to adjourn until 1.45 and then roassemble in committee.