A SINGULAR PROSECUTION.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume L, Issue 59, 19 March 1907, Page 2

A SINGULAR PROSECUTION.

BELATED CJIARIjE AUAINST Jilt. FARIIAR. EXHAUSTIVE INQUIRY' DEMANDED. At the meeting of the Taranaki Hospital and Charitable Aid Board yesterday, a letter was also received from Jlr. Farrar staling that he had been served with a summons on his return to New Plymouth for an alleged assault on A. (i. Turner, and asking the Board to make a lull investigation into the case.

The Chairman, Jlr. C. Tiseh, ill the course of his report, referred to the matter, stating that on his return to Xew Plymouth from liis leave of absence, Jlr. Farrar was served with a summons charging him with an assault on an inmate. The alleged assault is said to have been committed in August of last year; and as some vague statements have been made wliicli letleets upon the management of the institution, 1 aave asked the Inspector-General of Hospitals that the fullest inquiries be made. These statements come as a surprise to the members of the Board, who have been constant visitors to til" institution and have never heard of any complaint until after Jlr. Farrar left o:i sick leave. As the case is sub judice, further reference is at present unnecessary.

Speaking to tiie report, Mr Tisch said, like other members of the Board, iie had always spoken liis mind on an) • thing connected with the Board's olliccrs, and he would never attempt to shield doctor, matron, or manager, il he thought any complaint justified, lie had visited the Home regularly, and he had never heard anything about an action being brought against the. man ager. When it was alleged in Aligns! last that Turner had been ill ti.'aUd, inipiirics wire at once made, and it was found there were no grounds whatever for the complaint, and Turner had admitted himself, the next day, that lie had not been ill-used. II was a \ery si villi thing, said the ('liairnun.. thai no complaints should have been mad: until a man was down on his back wi;l. sickness. 'There was a rellection cast on the Board, and the very fullest investi gation should be made." Jfossrs. Brown al'd JleDonald express (d similar views, and on Jlr. Itiown's motion., seconded by Mr. Ji< Donald, .t was decided to instruct the Board's solicitor to watch proceedings at the heaving on behalf of the Board.

The Chairman intimated thai the ease had been adjourned from the pvoenl month to JMav 0.