TO THE EDITOR

Opotiki News, Volume II, Issue 222, 18 August 1939, Page 2

TO THE EDITOR

HOSPITAL AFFAIRS

Sir, —If it is of any interest to you, quite a bit of controversy lias been nroused in this district re your Board’s affairs as published in the Auckland Herald. We would like you until the members of your Board to know that J)r. Mail was in the North here lor some years and was greatly respected by x all and sundry. lie often took charge; at the Whangarei Hospital, which is a very hirge one. He was Medical Superintendent at Whnngnroa. foi' some time* and had a private practice at Kohukolui. In these positions Jin sliowed himself capable' and efficient, a good surgeon, and a kindly, understanding. allround Doctor. He only left the North tm better himself (as he thought). His many friends and past patients in the North would like these facts published. (.Air.) A. Ml. M\D, (.Airs.) AA INJFBKI) READ. Horeko. North Auckland.

Sir, —.Air. J. 1). Clark is the most recent, acquisition to the Opotiki Hospital Board; he, was not chosen by the electors but was appointed by the Borough Council to fill an extraordinary, vacancy on the Board. It is also interesting to note that.the late Hos.Medical Superintendent may he consulted at .Air. Clark’s Pharmacy. It would seem that apparently -Air. Clark has much to learn concerning the meaning of the word discretion. While I agree that electors should not he ignored in the matter of major happenings. there are times when it is injudicious to broadcast, iuiormation of a more or less private nature which really docs not concern the electors and which may irreparably injure even one’s own friends. especially when the* subject under review is sub jiulice. May I. suggest, to Air. Clai*k that as a Board -Member it is considered had taste and discourteous to attempt to force the liandis of his ( hairman to disclose such information until a meeting properly constituted has decided" the issue. As an old Local Body servant with varied experience extending over a quarter of a century I trust sincerely that Mr. Clark will ponder awhile before “publishing the facts of the case as lie sees them,” as in my considered judgment “alleged lacvs” have almost invariably a boomerang and hurtful eifect. J. T. AIMIMV. Sir, — It would appear that -All 1 . ,J. 1). Clark, is trying to put sonic blame on the rest of the Hospital Board and put himself on side, as it were. But Mr. Clark knows quite well that he is not in a position to divulge information, which up to the present is private and the property ol the whole board. .Bluff will not get Mr. Clark out of a difficulty. I'nless -Mr. Clark lias expressed himsell as lorcibly at board meetings as he did in your last issue it would be good policy on his part to refrain Irom rushing into print. Llvl) U.\ Sir.— It is refreshing to hear that at least one menu her- ol the Hospital Board is desirous of airing the matter of the recent dismissals anil resignations at the Hospital. However much one, appreciates -Air. Clark’s gesture, the idea persists that there must be something seriously wrong with the Beard itself if one member is sufficiently aware of the fact that only in an open statement can he reaffirm the confidence ol the people in His appoint-\ nfent to administer their affairs—even when lie has to commit such a course •which "’ill inevitably leave him open 1,, the censure of his fellow members. It must be obvious to Mr. Clark, that any statement issued by him containing information gained by him as a member of the Board is not- his lor publication, unless such is done with the consent of the other members. The course for Mr. dark to. pursue would lie to stick to his lellow-mein-licrs, and endeavour to obtain a lull statement from, the Board. In public bodies it. is customary for such .statements to emanate from the official source—the Chairman or Secretary—anil auv facts given by an individual are and cannot be the facts ol the Board, hut those of the individual, and nothing less than an authoritative statement Irom an accredited source enn relieve the tension of the moment. If the Bb:ii'd is to Iflamo’ then as u Board it-should be castigated, 'and it is not competent for any one member to shelve responsibility upon the remaining‘mein hers.

'Surely the present farcical position lias gone on long enough, it is time for the Board to act—not for more words. ."Words are a. potent force, but it will be on their actions a« mu -i> as their words that the Bbard will he condoned or condemned. Moist of the trouble can be attributed to word-;, and the climax with its attendant action, profusely illustrates ttr* potency of these barbed weapons, so that it behoves individual members to tread warily the thorny path of rntteranc''. ■Consistency in its actions would appear to be one of the features which Beard, as it is understood that- the lias been pecuharly omitted from the Into superintendent is still visiting the hospital despite lii.s removal therei'joni. ® Doe,, the Board by permit ting this to continue, imply that ad the blame can be laid at the foot of the Matron I- 1 If so. when has the Matron teen permitted to air her side 01. thequestion? In common justice let the Board couuo out into the open with an exposee of the whole position. VERA' INTERESTED.