"TITTLE TATTLE."

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 239, 18 March 1915, Page 3

"TITTLE TATTLE."

MUCH AD:; ABOUT LITTLE. HOSPITAL Bu'AHl) ON ITS DICSITV. The Tarar.aki Hospital Board's meetings seldom give to pyrotechnic displays, but there were " lireworks" yesterday, When a letter was read from N,u I'h mouth's Tow n Clerk informing the board that the following resolution was passed by the Reserves Committee 011 February 24: " That the Hospital Board be informed that in future this council will insist upon all coffins being' made watej'-tight. and that a sufficient number of handles he placed thereon to enable such to be carried thereby." The secretary said he was very surprise:! indeed to receive the communication. It was the first thing lie knew about any implications, and lie did not know how they originated. Tie imnie- <! atclv rang up the sexton of the cemetery, who himself considered thenwas no ground for complaints. There had been one unfortunate incident , caused by a coffin from Napier, buf with -the exception that one more handle was needed the local coffins gave every satisfaction. Members said the resolution had apparently been censored, as nothing had appeared in the local papers. Mr -I. Brown ,said he would like to enter an emphatic protest again-t the action of the Borough Council. TTe bad made inquiries into the matter, and found that there was notliim: official in it whatever, and (lie whole thing appeared to be the result of streetcorner gossip. lie did not think that a rumour which there was nothing to substantiate should be brought up by the council, and he did not see why the board should sit down under an assertion that was contrary to fact, lie would like to move the following resolution: "That in reply to the resolution passed by the Reserves Committee Of the New Plymouth Borough Council, the council be informed that all coffins used for the burial of deceased persons from the Hospital or Old People's Home are properly coii-| structcd and water-tight, and that the handles u=ed are always adequate. The board takes this opportunity of suggesting to the council that it is to be regretted that councillors are so ready to listen to street-corner tittle-tattle anil to make so much of nothing, with the result that pain is. caused to relatives and friends of the dead, and trouble and annoyance to officials who honestly do their best under; often, very trying conditions." The chairman agreed with.the resolution. The rumour, though groundless, was no doubt annoying to the officials and caused nain to the tives of those people who had been buried. The secretary said the most aggravating point was the statement that the coffins were only cheap ones, for he maintained that they were'equally as food as any others. Mr M'.Mluni seconded tile motion which was carried unanimously.