TO THE EDITOR

Opotiki News, Volume II, Issue 220, 14 August 1939, Page 3

TO THE EDITOR

HOCPITA L AFFAIRS Sir, — By maintaining their attitude of 'grim silence, the Hospital Board are evidencing their determination that the comm unity shall he kept completely in the dink as to the state! or at-luhs,-—despite the assurance of tlie chairman that he was not averse to the public knowing the facts. Js it that the- Board are seeking safety hy adopting this attitude ? if so they are exlunitiiig about as much intelligence in doing sc, as an ostrich usually does. Does ■ the Board realise that they have an obligation to the public, and that they have failed lamentably in its luliilment? On grounds of non-cn-

operation, the .Board accented the resignation of the entire statf of tin 1 hospital.—surely the public cannot he deluded into thinking that the entire staff were guilty of this, particularly v. hen there is such a glaring example o! non-cooperation in the Board’s present attitude! There must he some-

thing more than this af fault, and it is the public’s right to know what this something really is.* It is understood that the number of admissions 1 14 the Hospital lias fallen (onsiderablv during the past mouth? Is this attributable t.o< tile trembler Or !.- it attributable to the fact that the public has no confidence in tin* Beard? If it is a fact- that the numb< r of adlmissiofns has fallen, then the Beard should do some hard thinking. —-as they arc the. custodians of a valuable and necessary institution, and ii they are in any way culpable, they o ast, realise that the longer that they persist in their silence, the greater will he their blame, and the liar-tier will lie the reckoning. If the Board is in no way culpable, what is to prevent them issuing an assurance to the community, giving the. facts, and explaining their stand? Tn justice to tim Staff, the Public and themselves, they should do so, and the sooner that tin Beard publishes the true facts of the trouble, then the sooner will

tin- public regain their comliil/L'iicc. Vicky cxthilfstfi). hers offered their services. Airs. Burnett gave an interesting' demonstration on the making of wax flowers for floating howls. During the afternoon, a small gift was presented to Airs. Alottram. who L to reside- in Auckland. Airs. .Jerram. on behalf of the members, wished tin* guest of honour every happiness in her new surroundings, and stated how she would bo missed from tlic gardening circle* meetings. Airs. Alottram suitably responded, thanking ail lor the lovely gift. The day’s -competitions weie as follows : Bos 1 Flower: Airs. Stevenson -daffodil) 1. Airs. AA’oolfield (camclia) 2, Mrs. .terram J. Bowl of Greenery; .Mrs. .Mitchell I, Airs. Stevenson 2. Airs. Burnett J. A dainty tea was served hy the hostesses. .Ali-s. Fugle and Airs. King, which closed a pleasant afternoon.