WHO IS TO RULE?

Taranaki Daily News, 17 August 1916, Page 6

WHO IS TO RULE?

HOSPITAL STAFF ni? HOARD? THE CHAIRMAN RESIGNS. BUT RECONSIDERS HIS DECISION. Proceedings at yesterday's meeting of tlie Hospital and ghariable Aid Board took a somewhat unexpected turn shortly before its conclusion. Some plain speaking had been indulged in during the morning "by several of the members at> to whether the Board of the hospital staff was to rule, and it was apparent that the feeling of all present was that a finality in this respect should be reached at an early date. It was remarked that official orders for admission had been ignored, by whom it was not stated, and that the Board's wishes had been overridden in a number of instances. The irritation of members culminated on the receipt of a letter from the matron, Miss "Browne, to the chairman, which read as follows: "The report of last month's meeting as it appeared in the Herald of 21 July, contained a paragraph ivbich affects me personally and which has given rise io a very wrong impression. "You are reported as having said that on your frequent visits to the hospital you' have always asked how things were going, and received the reply that there were no complaints. _ I have no i'inbt that the inference which has been dra-wn from the statement i s that I have been guilty ol a breach of duty, inasmuch as it is suggested that I have lievei spoken to you of the inadequacy of the accommodation provided for nurses, or of other matters referred to by the nurses in their petition. I feel sure that you will readily admit that, both Sister t.ampboll and I have on many occasions drawn pointed attentiort to tlie fact that the nurses' quarters were too small, and in other ways were unsuitable:, .and yon may remembei that we have discussed various method? of getting over what was admitted to be a very real difficulty. In these circumstances I have concluded that some mistake has been made. As the matter how stands the hlame has apparently been cast upon me, and 1 should feel greatly obliged to you if you ■rould mention the matter at. the meeting, with a view of removing a grave injustice." '

The chairman (Mr. P. C. J. Bellringer) resented tlip tone of the letter. Outside of the want of accommodation for nurses, his attention had not been drawn to any other complaints. He considered that Miss Browne should have more carefi lly studied the annual report. He had always shown the matron and the staff the utmost courtesy. Mr. McAllum said that it seemed to him as if the staff at the hospital did as they liked;, even the matron's quartern' had been shifted without authority.

Mr. Maxwell said that it was patent to all the members of the Board that serious trouble was brewing. The Board was continually being ignored or passed over. The matter, he hoped, would be ventilated very carefully indeed at the next meeting. Mr. J. Brown moved that Miss Browne be informed that the Board had every confidence in the chairman in his Administration .of hospital affairs.—Seconded by Mr. McAllum.

Mr. Maxwell objected to the cording ol" the resolution. He considered that it was contrary to the dignity of the Board to inform one of its employees that members had every confidence in the chairman. Of course they had, or he (the chairman) would not be in the position he held. He moved an amendment that Miss Browne be referred to the annual report, and that, she be informed that the Board was in possession of all the facts at its last meeting, and that she had made representations which were insufficiently supported. Mr Sykes supported the amendment, which, after some discussion—in the cuirse of which it was pointed out that for it to be carried was practically .1 vote of no-confidence 111 the chairmanwas put to tho meeting. A division resulted a.; follows: Ayes: Messrs Sykes, Maxwell, Tate, McDonald. Noes: Messrs. MicßeynohK McAllum, Hill, Brown. _ The chairman ( was called upon to give his vote, but this, after mature deliberation, lie refused to do. Mr Bellringer then said he would tender his rcsijrnsHon; he could not vote on the question and retain his self-respect. Mr. Maxwell urged that his amendment was not equivalent to a. voto of no-confidence. The Board could not be dictated to by the matron, and should uphold its dignity. Mr. Bellringer said he had decided to resign. Perhaps he Had outlived his sphere of usefulness, but during the years he had been on the Board he had been actuated only by the desire to do good useful work. Anyhow, much us he deprecated fighting women,.the matron and he, as chairman, could not work together. Mr. Macßeynolds: And at the dicta tion of a servant the Board is going to lose the best chairman it ever had! Mr. Maxwell said that his sole reason for proposing the amendment was that he did not think the wording of the resolution was dignified; it was out of place to send such a reply. However, lie would withdraw his amendment if it meant losing Mr. Bcliringer's services. To this Mr. Sykes agreed, and the amendment was struck out. ■ Mr. Browne said that thorp v.a ; ;. con stant trouble at the hospital, and he i" tired of tho nagging letter:: tl:; Boar received. The Board had every confidence in the chairman, but he (Mr Brown) considered that every employee should receive a reply to a letter. He wanted to say straight, and he hoped the press was report it. that if the matron did not like her position she could get out. The Board could do without her, but ;:ot without Mr. Bellringer. He wanted the people at the hospital to undcrstar.il that the Board was going to rule, and that was the object of his resolution. Mr. McAllum endorsed Mr. Brown's remarks, and the other members of tho Board urged Mr. Bellringer to reconsider his decision. Mr. Bellringer signified his assent to do so, and Mr. Brown's motion was then carried unanimously.