THE HOSPITAL.

Southland Times, Volume III, Issue 230, 19 March 1866, Page 3

THE HOSPITAL.

TO THE EDITOB OP THE SOUTHLAND TEttES, Sib, — A correspondent of your contemporary, in this day's issue, who had the assumption to style himself li Pubhc Opinion," has made a series of statements to which 1 proceed to reply. — First — With regard to my being pitch-forked into my present position — if meant as a fact, it is false ; if as a metaphor, it is siUy. Secondly — Having for some months had only a cook and smaU boy as a staff, the biUet haa NOT been a sinecure. Thirdly — My dispenser was not engaged at a salary of £100 per annum. _ And Fourthly — I am kot receiving a salary as Pubhc Vaccinator, and a glance at the late Estimates wiU show that no money was voted for that purpose. With regard to my attendance on the men employed by Smyth, Hoyt and Co., or reference to any other portion of my private practice — so long as it does not interfere with my official duties — I opine to be unwarranted and impertinent. And now, Sir, for a few words to your readers. If any charge can be substantiated against me for neglect, incompetence, or extravagance, it is fair ground for thorough investigation j but I wonld warn them, during the pi-esent state of popular excitement, not to aUow any anonymous mixture of falsehood and abuse to prejudice their minds as such might emanate from private or malicious motives. For the future I shaU decline to notice any attack that is either covert or anonymous, I am. Sir, yours &c., Fbancis A. Monckton, Resident Surgeon, InvercargiU, March 17th, 1866.