Waikato Hospital.

Te Aroha News, Volume VII, Issue 398, 31 August 1889, Page 2

Waikato Hospital.

At the last ordinary monthly meeting of the "Waikato Hospital and Charitable Aid Board, held at Hamilton on 7th inst., a letter was read from Dr Kenny, the medical • officer in oharge, of which the following is 'a copy : — To the Chairman, Waikato District Hospital Board. — Sir, — Circumstances have arisen in my professional life in Hamilton, which go to prove the old adage : " No one can serve two masters, etc." I find the interests of private practice clashing with those of mj public appointment, »nd that in the best interests of your institution, and in justice to my professional character, I must relinquish the one or the other. ' So' far I believe I have been fortunate in givingyour Board satisfaction in my treatment of patients, and in the management of the Hospital generally, for your Board honoured me and my staff with a kind recognition of our labours, intimation of which was forwarded to me in writing by your secretary on the 17th November, 1888. At the same time I feel sure that if I continue in this dual position any longer, I will fail to maintain your Board's good opinion, and also that of my private patients. Though I would much regret being debarred from attending, in their hour of need, the many kind friends I have, which form my practice around Hamilton and throughout Waikato. Still, remembering with grateful feelings who it was that brought me here, I feel my first duty is to your Board. And also being assured that your institution can never be perfectly governed or equipped until its surgeon resides within its walls I am willing to forego all claim to private practice, and to devote my whole energies to the Hospital. I therefore respectfully beg to offer your Board my individual services for the addition of £100 per annum to my salary i*nd free residence at the Hpspitalfor my wife, self and servant. ' I faoyr .that ?*t present the space within the Hospital building at your B.oard's disposal is very limited', therefore, if my offer meets with your- Board's favourable consideration.,, 'j could continue to live' at my present re-» sidence until your Board, could find quarters for me at the Hospital, if your Board would kindly allow me a sum equal to half my rent, the annual total of which ' is LBf> 14s Bd, exclusive of rates, taxes, and i insurance, Respectfullycommitting these ,

mutters to thp kind consideration of yonr Board. — I htive thp Imnotii- lo be, Sir. your obedient servant, GrEo. (t. Kenny,, M.D. « ,t, t "'Ai'that me 'ting a rpsftlutiorf <<V&}j-pji'#jed/ , by fho casting vnto of th-- on the, motion of Mr Yon, StnrnW,. snoo/ided "by/'MrT. fl. Snndi'M, retaining the'jinotnr'g services wholly , for. the Hjmp'ital ; bdtft members repre'sentiner Piako, - County' Qonncil (Messrs ChepnvOl and <Brunßkill), voting against the rpaoliition ' : Mr Brnnskill ihoved'that in reply to the doctor's letter, ho be requested tojiovote the whole of hip services to the Hospital at the salary of £300 ; bnt it was ultimately agreed to defer the matter till the next monthly 'meeting of the Board, Mr Chep~ mell giving notice that he would then move that the resolution passed at that meeting with referfnc^tothe doctor giving . his whole % BerVice*B to the' ' HoBpit'ai>t>»'> rescinded. -, -- -. .-...* At the laßt meeting of Piako County Council the proceedings of the' -Hospital Board referred to, were discussed at consideranle length, and the proposed increase of expenses genevally condemned as being altogether uncalled for. Cr Heany said the Hospital at Hamilton was one of the most expensively managed Hospitals in the Colony.The Chairman said the proposed increase of expenditure had been sprung, upon .the Board quite suddenly. L v Cr Brunskill said 'he felt very strnngly on the matter, and considered the increased salary demanded ,by the surgeon, „wa* most uncalled for— in fact absurd •..qeeijasf he was now in receipt of £300 a year with right to private practice vithftVfour miles of the Hospitr.l ; and he had heard it stated the doctor was making about £400 out of" his private practice, Cr Brunskill further remarked if any salaries in connection with the Hospital were raised, it ought to be thesalaries of the Secretary and nurses, whowere very poorly paid indeed. There were plenty of competent medical men' in New Zealand who would be very glad to devote their whole time to the Hospital for theaalary now paid, £300 a y°ar. The Hospital was about the most expensively managed institution of the kind he knew. A resolution was passed by the Council requesting the representatives of theCouncil on the Hospital Board to oppose any increase in the doctor's salary.