AUCKLAND HOSPITAL

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 85, 27 August 1912, Page 8

AUCKLAND HOSPITAL

A SCENE AT A MEETING

VOUR MEMBERS RETIRE

Auckland, August 20.

I A most painful scene took place at the meeting of the Auckland Hospital jind Charitable Aid Board this evening and was terminated after hot words by four members leavftig the meeting in a body, amid tense excitement.

The facts leading up to the trouble were that the results of the recent nurses' examinations could not be completed because the data of the practical .work of the nurses oflicially supplied by .the lady superintendent were missing. ■ At a previous meeting of the Board, it was stated by a member that the .data were there, but had not been supplied. Tt was then moved and carried J .that the late lady superintendent, Miss '.Griffiths, should be asked fo report on the practical work of the nurses. After !three weeks' investigation, Miss Griffiths handed in a sheet of foolscap with .the marks she allotted to the first, second and third-year nurses during chat three weeks. The nurses' register was (also handed over to the tote lady superintendent, and when it was returned I to the present acting-lady superintend- | ent, the laiter found that it contained .entries which, it is alleged, were not 'there when it left her hands. Some of [.the entries, it is also alleged, were inI correct.

The Medical Committee, in their report, drew the attention of the Board to these statements, and it was the consideration of this matter that led up to the seene.

The chairman (Mr. 11. Schofield) set matters moving by drawing attention to clause 4 of the committee's report, drawing attention to the remarks alleged to have been made in the register by the late lady superintendent after she had passed out of the Board's employ. "I rule clause 4 out of order," said the chairman. He explained that the chairman of the Medical Committee had no right to examine the register, as it was a confidential document. He stated that the remarks were not inserted as alleged in the register.

Dr. Pabst rose to make a statement. The chairman: Please sit down. I have ruled the clause out of order.

Dr. Pabst: I want to speak on a question of fact. I

At this stage considerable disorder prevailed, several of the members speaking together. Dr. Pabst was explaining that the Board had recognised hia right as chairman of the Medical Committee to examine the register, when he was interrupted by Mr. Potter.

Mr. Potter: Is it recorded in the minutes? .

Dr. Pabst: It has always been enforced by Mr. Nerherny and Mr. Potter. Such an obvious thing is never recorded in the minutes.

Messrs Nerherny and Potter both reiterated denial*. , Mr. McKay rose to apeak, amid muen eommotion.

The chairman: Will you sit down, Mr. MacKay! Mr. MacKay: No, I will not sit down while you are making statements absolutely eontrary to fact. The chairman appealed to the Board for protection, and requested Mr. MacKay to withdraw his remarks.

Several members (excitedly): Withdraw! Withdraw!

Mr. MaeKay: I will withdraw, but reservedly. I will ask that the register be produced.

Mr. M. J. Coyle: I do not think that anyone should stop members from looking at the register. It was possible that libellous statements were contained in the book.

Dr. Pabst again rose to speak. The chairman (vigorously thumping the table, and speaking in & high-pitohed roice). Sit down! Dr. Pabst: What am I to dot Mr. Nerherny: The best thing jou oar. do is to resign. Mr. MacKay recorded hi* protest against the way the doctor wag being treated. Mr. Dye: I have seen the register, and the chairman's statement is not correct. Dr. Pabst: An entry was mads in the book after the matron left. . Mr. Nerherny (shouting): You are entirely out, sir. , Mr. MacKay then expressed surprise at the chairman's attitude, and, with Messrs Ellisdon, Coyle and Dye, and Dr. Pabst, he left the meeting, Mr. Potter , expressing surprise at Mr MacKay's attitude as the members and the chairman of the Medical Committee departed through the door.

The meeting then broke up, u there was no quorum.