NEW PLYMOUTH HOSPITAL.

Taranaki Daily News, 16 August 1917, Page 6

NEW PLYMOUTH HOSPITAL.

RESIGNATION OF MEDICAL STAFF.

POSITION MADE INTOLERABLE BY BOARD.

At the meeting or the Taranaki Hospital and Charitable Aid Board yesterday a crisis -was reached, as the result of the Hoard's action in deciding to hold an inquiry relative to a probationer beiny given the opportunity to resign. The matter was one of discipline and efficiency, for which the matron and medical superintendent are responsible. The upshot of the matter is that Drs.. Walker, Leatham, and 'Fcoikes jqfeterday tendered their resignations The -following correspondence on the subject will enable the public to become acquainted not only with the facts of the case, but with the reasons which have induced the Medical Superintendent and bis colleagues oji the staif to sever their connection with the hospital. FROM THE MEDICAL SUPERINTENDENT. New Plymouth, August 14, 1917.

The Chairman and Members, larumiki Hospital Board, New Plymouth.

Gentlemen, It is my painful duty to place in your hands this day my resignation: as Medical Superintendent of Nejy Plymouth Hospital, to take effect in the statutory period or three months, -as provided by agreement, ;ind to review tho cicumstancos which have led up to it.

I endow herewith copy of a letter from myself to the Inspector-General of Hospitals, also a copy of his reply, ami beg to state that with the former I forwarded copies of: — (1) Your hoard's request for a full report from mo on the case of a probationer. who hid been given the optionof resigniug from the hospital statf. (2) Of the letter of the lady in question and lier request for an inquiry. (3) Of my report on the matter, as forwarded to your board; (4) Of the reports of the matron and four sisters.

At the conclusion of my letter I appealed to the Inspector-General for a ruling oil four questions. You will observe that, at the meeting with the tciing-cliaimian in hospital on Juiv 19 ("meeting." I say, and not ''Enquiry," as sonic members of the board have railed it) I stated that the medical staff regarded tho action of the board in ordering an enquiry by laymen into a professional mattor of the kind under notice as:^First, a direct «fo)e of no-confidence in the hospital executive; Second, a menace to the discipline of the institution as well as an incentive to insubordination; and Third, were agreed that any enquiry into a matter affecting the professional conduct of the institution must bo before a properly constituted tribunal, and

Fourth. would decline enquiry on amother The tin": ill" 'lrrrotionnrv powrr of tbo bourd to bVM nn onqiiin* into certain matters, rules that:— Hi Tn vimv of tlm reports submitted b\- its roxi nnsihlo inodif.nl and ofmvis. tho board v.\as NOT justified in granting un enquiry in tho cii.rr' specified. (2) I'lii" action of the board in the prosem instance tv.n only lm regarded as :'ii oxpros-ion of no-confidence in the oxc'iii-ivo staff and in tho truthfulness of its .matron and sisters. (;i) The action of the board is not likely to ••omiur.v to the discipline of the institution or to tho maintenance of an eliicient staff. . . Such an action would be likely to deter a matron from choosing the best material for training from those probationers who enter on a preliminary trial. Your board ha.s seen fit to pass a resolution of rebuke and calling my attention to by-laws, which very probably are better known and understood by me than by any member of the board. To adopt your procedure and suspend an unsuitable probationer would be a proceeding of unnecessary severity. - Suspension is reserved for offences of gravity, and was iu the present instance only resorted to under the compulsion of your board's wrong attitude. The universal procedure, when a probationer is found unsuitable, is to quietly and kindly explain the position to her and suggest that she resign. This avoids publicity and gives the young lady an open chanco in another more useful sphere, so far as she is concerned. This method has been followed to my know ledge for twenty years in this hospital and, if your board did not know, those who have done the valuable work for your board did know, and also approved. Looked at from the strictly legal point of view, it is an accepted ruling Uifl.t the possession of a greater iEuthority.in._a detail includes and does not negative a less. Therefore a by-law. which gives the right to suspend, surely permits me to carry out a much milder procedure. Jt is notning less than an insult to suggo-st that 1 have either broken your rules or that I break them whenever I please.

_ However, if you will refer to the con-r-'UsHtii of llin letter of the InspectorGeneral, you will read:— "In oh is case the probationer was given a very lull trial and tailed to show any widcnco of improvement, and the matron, with your ciuicurrence, therefore wisely gave her tile option of resigning." Plus seenis to be a sufficient answer -0 Mr. Maxwell's resolution passed by lhe board. lour board's duty was clear: you siioiild have, said, "The medical .superintendent has been placed by us in a position of trust j ho has, at our request, luriiished a full report on a vital matter of interna! administration; he could Tii>t do so without fully reviewing the circumstances and we cannot expect an ciujiury by us to alter tho decision given. It is our duty to enforce his authority by our full support." Had tho disloyalty ishown by your board to me been shown by me to the matron and by her to the sisters of your staff, I a.sk you what would have been tho result to discipline or harmonious working? To talk of allaying suspicion is beside the question. 1 am sure tho people of this district do not suspect me in this matter, and tho only suspicion that .does exist is in the' minds of hostile or inexperienced members of your board.

Do you really think it possible that your medical superintendent, matron, and four sisters could form a conspiracy to got rid of a youthful probationer? The crux of the wholo question, however, seems to be reached in the heated remarks on tho subject of authority. This question has been laboured before by your board, and it is one that never arises in a happy family. It would not have arisen here if your hoard had a.nv real sympathy for tho welfare and good name of the hospital and its staff, not forgetting an efficient service for tho general public. We do not question your authority in your own sphere and wo will not have our proper (I say "proper" advisedly) authority in professional matters questioned by you. Mr. Brown declines to be a "figurehead." Better a "figurehead." surely, than to have stained his long and useful record by a cowardly challenge to a defenceless woman and by vulgar vituperation of the senior officer of the institution. Moreover, there was no need far him to remain a figurehead. While a patient in tho institution he must have observed details urgently requiring attention and regarding which the board has been approached without result. I need only instance ward lighting and tho absence of permanent basin accommodation in tho wards.

I have made the efficiency of your hospital and the welfare of the public my first consideration for nineteen years—the most- useful years of a man's life—at first as Dr. Loathain's assistant and later as your -senior medical oflicor. During the twelve months 1910-1911. when I took over the senior position, there were 392 admissions and 215 operations performed, and during, the past year tho admissions reached the surprising figure of 1063, while 550 operations were, recorded. On Friday night last, 109 patients wore under our care—a record for tho institution. The salaries of the medical staff remain at the original figures of €2OO for the superintendent, £IOO for tho assistant surgeon, and £4O for the radiographer, so that your board will admit that the element of material gain has not been considered by us in the service. lfris fact olcae would suggest

that we should receive courtesy at your hands and bo protected from abuse. During tlw long period named, the utmost harmony has existed between your medical staff and tho practitioners of this town and province—a most important factor for the prosperity of 'tho institution.

Within the hospital a/ similar concord, has existed between overv branch of the service, and tho public who have received our care have given every expression of confidence and appreciation. The annual comments of the Inspec-tor-General of Hospitals have shown unvarying approval of the management of tho institution, and with aJI humility I affirm that this state, of affairs is a direct result of tho policy and work of your medical and nursing staff, and that your board has no direct share whatsoever in its attainment. Under these circumstances I decline to submit to any interference by your board with my professional duty, and I will not tolerate vulgar vituperation from any member sitting at your table. After these long years of service I cannot without deep regret sever my connection with your institution, but your board's action at this, as well as other times, leaves me no alternative. This is no voluntary resignation. I had hoped to return to the people of this district the benefits of an experience, much of which has been gained in their midst, but the action of your board makes it a forced resignation of protest.

I take this opportunity of expressing my deep sense of indebtedness to my professional brethren, not only on tho staff but in the. town and province, for constant co-operation and generous help; to tho late matron and to the acting-matron for loyal and valued assistance in the daily work of the hospital, and 'to the, many sisters and nurses, past and present, whose solid work and devotion to duty have contributed to the place now taken by tho hospital in the confidence of tho public and to its reputation beyond Taranaki. I havo to thank the acting-chairman (Mr. Hill) for his efforts in a good cause and much courtesy at the present time, and Mr. Halcombe and Mr. D. H. M'DotaU for. valued help in their

endeavour to uphold the good name of tho institution. I remain, Yours faithfully, ERNEST A. WALKER, M.D., Medical Superintendent.

New Plymouth July 21, 1917, Tho Inspector-General of Hospitals,, Wellington.

Dear Sir, —• I regret hwc to bring under your notice a. matter which lias not improved tho relations at present existing between the Taranaki Hospital Board and its executive stuff.

Briefly, a probationary nurse, of some four, or live months' standing, was reported to mo by tho matron for incompetency, ami the annexed correspondence explains the further details of the nurse's request for an enquiry, tho Hoard's request for mv report, my report,, and tho reports of tho matron and sisters.

The matter was discussed at length at the board's meeting on July 18, and in spite of tho fact that the firoirman indicated the full nature of lily report a.n<l the evidoroco which accom-' pan.ied it, and also pointed out that the matter was one concerned witli the internal domestic administration of the institution, the board decided to j)ersonally hold an enquiry.

On July 19. 1917, on my arrival at the hospital, tho acting-matron informed me that, rather than submit to an enquiry by the_ board mem bare, the sieters and certified nurses of the institution would resign, considering the action of tiie hoard an unjustifiable reflection on themselves.

I therefore asked the chairman to be so good as to come to the hospital to meet the medical staff. He courteously acceded to the request. in presence of the medical stau, t]iat —no reoly having been received regarding the matter of the probationary nurse—l wished to know the boards decision on tho subject. He replied that the board Tiad decided to hold an enquiry, I .yoked what would of tfjir ty

quiry. HerjtepEed that he thought the board.

1 then said that the medical staff regarded such actions as—1. A direct vote of no-confidence in the hospital executive. 2. A menace to the discipline of the institution as well as an incentive to insubordination; and 3. Were unanimously agreed that any enquiry into a matter attesting the professional conduct of the institution must be before a properly constituted tribunal. That 4. We would Recline,'to accept enquiry on any other terms. ' <' '■

i Under all the circumstances noted, in view oi ; a further report on incompetency oi the nurse, in question, also insubordination to the acting-matron, it was obvious that her continuance on duty was mimical to discipline. ,I. tnerefore appealed to the chairman to suspend her. This lie at onco carried out. 1 •

Before doing so, he asked the probations her ago. and after hesitation one said 19. It lias since transpired in filling up her application form she stated the ago as 20, when she Ud not attained her 19th birthday.On the 20th, tho members of tlio board held a prolonged meeting, the details of which-are not made public. f.'®, 11 ; 1 ! 1 ', tj |® chairman called on me to say that tho enquiry was not now necessary as the nurse had resigned, implying, thereby that otherwise the board would have insisted on the attitiulo taken up. The medical staff is of opinion that the board s action was, in view of the documents submitted, entirely ultra vires; that the decision rested with the hospital executive. (Obviously I cannot accept responsibility for" a 'huso reported as untrustworthy). Further' •vn 1,/" 1 h v : l tlu ' right to 80 induct an enquiry, did «o, .and— .■.& a | H .<j v ~.t laymen—came to a- decision adverse to ..-.fe t< ?- th ? co«hl have no altei native to resigning. I therefore appeal to you to" give youi ruling on these questions: •1. Was ther lwd justified, in view- ' i-, ot the.; Medical Superintendents j laport and tho/reports c-f matron csa sisters accompanying it, in de» 1 h-jj ciMum-yi

2. Has ttho board the right to orcteft an enquiry into matters of intcr/ial domcst-ic administration unless .then* is the,,, strpiig«t prob-* • ability of ; Mala3iriMafft)ra.tion ? 3. Can this action of the board be regarded in a.ny othor light than ae a direct veto of no-confidence in the executive staff and a question-' ing of the truthfulness of its matron and sisters? 4\ Does the luepeetor-Generai vegan} Uio acwon of the board as an aid to <tae Uiscnxine of the institution or otherwise r I p no ttfv obliged if von wilt Jl o I Iho fa.vour of an early lepiv, ana l must express my regret that it has become neressairy in a tiajeof stress when work of vitafl impoa'tasoe calls you.-t<»'.intrude upon the"already heavy days of duty; * .. i .■■■■■ , .Yours faihtfully, 1 .. v , - E. A. WALKER, Medical Superintendent. ■ i Public Health, Hospitals and Charitable Aid) t'. . Wellington, N.Z. July 25, 1917. Dear Sir,— In reply to your letter of the Slsfr instantl regret very much that W resignation of a , probationer nurse 3$ the Now Plymouth Hospital should' ha.ve led up to such a, serious impasaa as your letter indicate. I hope, however, that tilings may i>ot go so far as to necessitate anv such steo as the resignation of the staff. In reply to your questions: In .view of the rojwrts submittal by its sible medical and nunsing officers-, 1. Ihe board was not justified in grannnfi an enquiry iu the casa snociiicd 2. A board must have discreiionairy power to hold an enquiry into matters which ooncern the admin istra-v tion of ail institution ivndor its controJ. " 3. The aqtion of the board in tlie wrev sent instance can onlv be regarded as a.n exwcssion of no confidence in. the execute staff and .in the truthfulness of.its 'matftm and! sisters. w ,1 "/>"

4-JBw mctian at fa bond fc art Mfilj to eondna* to th* MsAm of Uut inatteftJuon or to Vi# artaAttraaßM at an tfficimat Ml, wMoh k en* U dU niaoifwl mWm at Mua Biatraa in abato* of tto mrmh. Such an action on ttu> erf 4m btxud would be likely todetar way matron from choosing the best material far training from those probationers who enteir on a preliminary trial. In this oaso the probationer was given a very full trial, and failed to show any evidonco of improvement, and tha matron, w ■ your concurrence, therefore wisely gave her the option of resigning. I sincerely trust that at the forthcoinm meeting the board will rescind thoir resolution as to an (inquiry. Youira faithfully, (Sgd.) J. H. A. VALINTINE, „ Inspector-General. Dir. Walker, New (Plymouth. PROM DR. LEATHAM. Dr. H. B. Leatham writes:—Will ye* please accept tliis notification that I desire to terminate uiy appointment as radiographer to the New Plymouth and hereby ivsk yotir board Lo_ accept my resignation—this to take efiect in three calendar months, dating from September 1 next, I much re- ; gret being now compelled to sever my ; connection with the hospital, with the work of which institution I have l< u associated for about 20 years as a si. I ried officer of tho board, and for many years before that in the capacity of honorary assistant. Dr. Walker has set foi Lh the reasons lihat have necessitated his taking the extreme step of resigning tile appointment of medical superintendent that he has so ably, conscientiously, and honourably filled for the past seven years. I greatly resent and deplore the attitude cr hostility that has been bo frequently manifested of late by some members of the board towards Dr. Walker, aril I must say that I am in complete sympathy and accord with him in the stand fie has taken in resigning his position, and in conclusion I desire to add that unless there is complete harmony between the board and its responsible officers tho important work of tho institution cannot bo carried out with justice to the patients or credit to the staff. <

FHOM L)R. FOOKES. Dr. Fookes wrote:—As a gr#te«t fcUituda wludi Lsii vei&ntly been by your bovd towards its bomiM *t«Jf aoneraJly, and it? modical •Ufl i* particular, I beg herewith to fcatuta- my resignation as acting ossijstent surgeon to tlio Now Plymouth HotpjUd. I feel that under existing airoußistwices I caunot continue my •erviow to a board wtha&e sympathy witi ita staff is to ofcnoiutfy witajiielid a* is •bovrn by iu Mmietent disragttrd of mado fur the prop* (*juip<«»ut of till* institution. Furthermar*, if th» medical superintendent should rasign (and I have good reason to b*liav» that sUch a contingency is «tUui to aris*) I could not possibly M>a to curry qn duties wliich migjht autam*tic*llT fall upon me. I am at puMat muaL OT»riurdencd with work is my prirat* practice (being singlehanded) and should th© position of medical superintendent devolve uiran mo I should perforce havn to neglect my d j tics either to the hospital pati<\nts or my private patients. I am axiouß to do my duty by tlx; public in tWo trying times, and would not take tho stop I am doing except out of a strong feeling of resentment at the treatment the board has recently meted out to the mwliral superintendent and the nursing staff of the institution.

[ CHAIRMAN'S EBMARKS. | Tko acting-chairman (Mr. }. R. HUty I said: A certain young lady in the employ of the institution was evidently not giving satisfaction in the carrying out of her diitie". and the matron nuggested that she should resign. The young lady in question sought the advice of some ! gentlemen friends of liers (business [people in Xew Plymouth), v.lio advised | her to aak the Board to hold an inquiry into tbo reasons why it was suggested to her to resign, t&o friends referred to telling her that they ivould seo her through. Theso friends used all their influence by meeting individual members of the Board -and endeavoring i to mai# them believe that flady was not being treated fairly, the ultlmaU reutM being U*t sb* wrote 1m th* Beard and aeked that an inquiry be ihald m to why lit wm Mkat to put | in bar reaigatfckia. The Hatu* Comattitee wars called togatker without dalay, »;»nd Miss Browa jfnv* quite luflhiant rea[Sonj 'ffhr she wm nat aujt«,Ul» m a nurse Qu l&th July th» Xedioal Super- [ intandaat, in his manihlj rsport, lUted I that ska wag not suitable. matron's I report was also not at all a goad one, stating that she was not reliable, could inct bo depended on, etc. After hearing i these reports read and discussed at the Board's meeting (all very unsatisfactory), a resolution was carried that tlia Board hold an inquiry into th« circumstances leading up to the request made by the matron that tho lady r®e%n. I, as acting-ohaixman, warned the Bairii, prior to the resolution being put, that is my opinion no good purpose could b» !served by passing such a resolution; that if the young lady was allowed to go out ;quietly all Would bo well; but, if an iaSquiry were held, it would imply tkat there was a want of coafttoote la the staff at the hospital Notorftiutandinx that, on an amnmlnvMit boiay m*i«d iiuly two members voted for it—Mf. XaDouald and myself. The following morning the Medical Superintendent telephoned from the hospital that lie desired [ my presence there. 1 went up and fouai tlie medicai staff, Drs. Walker, LaaUmw, and Fookes, all in their operating uniforms, it being Thursday and operating day. Dr. Walker and staff absolutely declined to submit to any inquiry other ithnn by a properly-constituted authority, claiming that the matter was entirely of an internal domestic arrangement and quite within their province, Thu young lady was asked to come into the room, and admitted she had made mistakes, and was told that on the | Medical Superintendent's recommendation she was suspended. The following day the House Committee met to consider the suggestion of Dr. Walker re internal alterations to the old hospital, for isolation cases, a matter that had bean referred to them at the previous maetiug of the Board, Mr. Gilwour informed the House Committee tfcat, acting upon his advice, the young lady, hj« believed, was withdrawing thu request for an inquiry that afternoon. While tho committee were at the office her lettor of resignation was received. What transpired at thu special meeting of tit* Board has already been published la the newtpapars, As I pointed oat at tk« meeting, the young lady haying re*ign»i and withdrawn her request far an Inquiry, no further discussion wa* necessary; but evidently it was not the wish of some to let the mattej (lrop a and

pom wuirfM mm xurfb m<s at titan rrovM tern «n» •Mar 2»& wM. W* ten M «w ft sdqkl *mLftat efltetoai haaml (Ukwinlwdbuk So I>. Walkar, wad &» hhußmihiil r»*ehr«d by Mm !* nlk>fl«£W Vmidwiiota tor *h« »«rTlo«8 he readwj is Am r«9Mf •< tuCeriiig mH wonkl n*t U » pMty mf preaching injugti## te any on# «ra,oT«y»4 *t the Institution, I cwtuiuly 'Would not attempt to off*r an opinion «i to th§ «fi«i#ocy or iuitabiliiy of a nurse when th# staff had reported uufovgrnWy, la my opinion, if th# Board interfere too much In thes# internal affairs it will b» conductive to undermining the discipline find efficiency of the hospital. At the present time we have in the hospital over 100 patients, no lesa than 19 infectious cases, and the conditions under they are treated in the present isolation wards are far from satisfactory. Some of the nurses who take care of these cases are stricken with similar j sickness, such as scarlet fever, and I j sincere hope that very soon better arrangements will prevail. I also hope that a better spirit will exist between the Board and the Btaff in the near future, and tlidt they will work together iu a friendly spirit with on# gr#at? aim in vi»w, th# relief of uek and suffering humanity. Th# Board hag now received the resignations of the Medical Superintendent and Drs. Leatham ,and Tookes, a very serious matter indeed in this time of stress. I am quite sure that these gentlemen have not dona this in a voluntary spirit, but after due consideration, aa an emphatic priest against the undue interference with their professional administration in respect of their part of the discipline and good management Qf the hospital.

THE MATTER. DISCUSSED, Mr. E. Qilmour a aid it would be remembered that at tli# meeting to vonsider the matter he was called away to the telephone. Previously the lady had called at liis hquße and he. had told her that no good would result from an Inquiry. When he was called to the telephone it waa by the young lady, who had told him that she had decided i to resign. Mr. M. J. McHeynolds said In had supported the inquiry being held, because he waa convinced that the only result would have been to confirm the action of the doctor and the matron. No one had more confidence in Dr. Walker than he had. These 'were extraordinary' times. Men were being slaughtered and rivers of blood were flowing, and for what reason? To prevent the weaic beiwg «ppiMued. But is th* suite haw before the Board no on* was txatoa ojj pressed. There would have been m>lutm in hearing both sides of the question, and he held that the Board would have been quite justified in holding an inquiry. The chairman: No.

Mr. Mcßeynolds reminded the member* of the Board that they had provioual/ k«ld an inquiry into tho' conduct c{ th* Medical Superintendent himself, an<l h* believed that if this one had been h'<ld and the Board had all the particulars of ths position, they would again have been ablo to say to the doctor; "You did right."

Mr. D. H. MacDonaid said hs vary much that tho doctor had s«ut la his resignation. When they received th* report of the Medical Superintendent and the nurses, and thereafter decided to hold an inquiry, it meant nO confidence in the medical statf. Mr. D. McAllum: No.

Mr. Mac Donald said yes. The reports had stated that the girl was incompetent. and ho considered it the greatest mistake for the Board to pass a resolution authorising an inquiry. If any member of tlie Board had been in Dr. Walker's place would he have stood it? No; he would have acted exactly as Dr. Walker lmd done. It was the action of the Board that had induced the medieal staff to resign. Mr. MaAUmn did not agree with th* pr«viou» speaker; there was no reason why the action of the Board should have Induced the doctors to resign. He was very sorry indeed that matters had got into such a position, but he thought Dr. I Walker had looked upon the' Board's actios in a maimer the Board n«ver inteniUd. Jfcr from tliAt, the Beard's s*J« | desire was to sea that purs justie* was idone. Here was a giri ou the permaruM.* staff who had been asked to resign, and no reason for it had been given to tb.« Board. In his opinion the doctors and. nursing staff had been a little thinskinned. All the membws had. c»iupl«t» confident** in tha dorter, %*& p*tsaa*tty, if he tm.fi witk m aueiiUnt or m **rl«wir il, k* womM m mmm kMt WiAve ftttaadiaff Mm m tmfm* He (Mr, MoAllim) >wm aat »» fee Board, hewtver, to r*j>rweot ItimseU, bat U refir*s«nt r«tep»yw», tii* who had sent hiot th«*.

Mr. MeßeyaaUa said £k*4 tlau Mml again he had empliMitad at the Board j table tie high #pialan» exgreMed «f fir. Walker by hospital paticnta. Mr. McAllum asked If Dr. Leatham got no further remuneration than the £4O mentioned by the chairman, The secretary said Dr. Leatham also received feej amounting to four or live guineas a month, and anaesthetic foes amounting to not more thau ten guineas. Ht. MaAJium aaked if it was &»• a foot thai Dr. WaiJcar had dealined additional remuneration wkoa it was oS«ce<t to him.

The chairman said that was 40, but the present question was not one «f salary at all

Mr, McAliuin; I know it is not, but itke %wee you gave might create an 'istprewtoa that '«» treftt «w iU»t«* dwbbliy. Mr. <3. V. Tate sa)d of course it «m not a question of salaries, but the resignation of the doctors. The position was a most unfortunate one ; lions of ■'he other public bodies with which be had been connected had ever reached such a stage. Wheu the inquiry was proposed lie had voted for it, because he had felt complete, confidence in the doctors, and thought it would be in their interest to have tho atmosphere cleared, and to prevent tho mud-slinging ttyat often took place in the newspapers 6a such occasions, But he had thought that the inquiry would be held, not by the Board, but by a prgperlv-eonstituted' authority. The chairman: That was not the intention of the Board.

Mr. Tato did not think the Board Itself should have held the inquiry. As far as he was personally concerned lie was quite prepared to resign or to fight It out. Perhaps it would bo better" to lut the hospital have a new Board, see if they could do any better. The chairman: I believe that if th# personnel of the Board weie changed ail would be well, but it is perfectly clear that the present Board and the present staff gouty never act in harmony.

Xfi£ BOABP SHGteLD BJSSIGtf. Mr. Qlimour moved: "Ttat as it « t* the interests pf the sick and suffering that thqy should have the first consideration, the medical staff be asked to remain and this Board resign," Mr. Mclteynolds said he would reakj.

• * mIM to do m I; Mm | mpfe ■mat Mm Can, »«l dfearwite. Ifc. A. JL Kukoafe «dd tk» B»r#* i«A« M. tt «noM< U Ma, muM to a T«t» af m-mdHmm. Aa foavto M Wm k*kl son* tfm* gga, Mud «<*«< ■fetes fh«B hti m* ■Mad fcstw«m Km *fat# "J BMMfcw */ #» Skwci. At the pxmmt LUa» tit <e»U>M wtre working an haxi a* they wuU, aucj. from personal «jp»ri»nce 1m k*»w that their private patients were £i«au*atly neglectsd for the bpgpital {milmte, fl» said iigaiji that «vur tfnce ' the inquiry to which he had alluded th«r« had been a hostile feeling between the staff and the Board. The Board had undoubtedly interfered 'with the inner workings of the hospital. So far as he was concerned he was quite ready to resign, hut he thought tiu'.re was another way open to the Board. They could acknowledge that the Board had been wrong, and aft the medical staff to remain; or they could resign and leave the people to elect another Board. They would he doing a wrong if 'by the ■Board remaining in office the doctors reigned. He quite believed that Mr. McAHum did not think the motion for an inquiry was a reflection on the debtors, i j'but 'wbew ttw ppaitivn was explained'&« *ouM Mt mm &«w it could hj» rmj»rd#<i Qth#rww«. S«m« tuna ago tiwßqard. had passed a resolution unanimously expressing confidence in the medical staff, but it had been vitiated by the decision to hold an inquiry after the reports of the Medical Superintendent and the matroh on the case in question had been received. Anyone could see that the doctors had been oyorwoskail, anj ft would appear to the puShUo that th# Board, though quite unintentionally, had treated them in rather a harsh way. Mr. McAllutn sadd lie had only to reiterate what he had said. He still main-, tained that {lie Board's intention had heen to clear the atmosphere, as Mr. T(ite bud put if, and not permit thepublta to b.» led astray as to the reaj facta. Mr. Hakpmhe asked if it was more important to clear the public mind or to support their doctors? It did not matter what the public thought so long as the institution was run satisfactorily. Mr. Meßeynolds said he had been quite satisfied all along tlat an inquiry \yould give the Board another opportunity of passing a vote of confidence in th« doc- I tor.

"The chairman did not see bs.w Mr. McReynolds could take that view, xiie Board had the doctor's and the matron's reports before them, and yet had decided to hold an inquiry. Mr. B, Maxwttt cud no on* lemtted. pMttiM uor* thm he dtf; ii k dtptara&le position, but wh»tt«r til Si* bkm» rested her# or there it was impossible to say. No doubt a considerftble amount of blame rested "with the Board. He was absent from the meeting that had decided upon the inquiry, therefore hj» did not know whether or not ok i U k*U fcy tt arepvlT ~ « r Vr tk. £ud mm. Wh*Wv«« Ms f«*nn»l *fiaioa ww mlfrht b* a* to the v)i«L» matter, the attitude he adapted was that in face of the reports of ill* doctor, the matron, and the nurses, the Board was wrong in. granting »n inqulrr So {tu- ai he luwUratood the sosition the girl wa» not th* * jurok*tio*«, iuj »enibor af tia pNtaueßt st*f, and th* Beard w*s therefore «ulitl»d to know why she had resigned and had been asked to resign. He had heard outside thai the girl had bejn dismissed and unjustly treated, and it had seemed to him that this was a reflection on i;ke Board.! Had he been present, at the nest meetine 09 would have voted against th# inquiry, because the medical superintendent *nd the matron had then reporwd on the case. He thought the Bcerd had eominitted a blunder, but at the ss.me tijric he did not consider their action was sufficient to warrant the action taken by the medical staff. At the folWiug meeting tha giri withdrew her application for in inquiry, aad lis then moved that the attention of tto iocto* and' matron drawn to Uip ky-uw. hi doing so h* had not intended to cast any • reflection on any of the utafl, or w»nt of confidence in them, or hatr of appreciation of their very -?aluM>ie services. He wished emphfltieajly fr> state kkftt fct did 261 luttud to any bT Ms aotfcui; is Uat Us aim, »lfcfcoa«h V* ksif Uttuderwl, was » the aatur* of dipiowsey. He thought that M the girl had withdrawn her application for an inquiry, tie '.vholo difficulty might be wnoothed over bv sioiplv drawing attention to the by-laws, but as?*ru*l)r he had failed. A good d*al ■ ke#n Mfei atHMit the -Boftrd resigning, »« rniiS l>« quit* wfllbnj to wilio-rei If# 4M m «Mn!r n filnraM b* a flpwsttti* at «M!m ft* Bawd sr the utaff effwhtg fteSr rMfewtMoia. medical #Wf wnkt to airs th. Board eredit for i»* w«tt Ay M i*»e, And aot jump ito conalMtessi ten, readily. It kad never !*••■ ft* fetMllM ef the Bowid to dis- , sfojft or to fMI in any way '*• rewgais* «m Tulae *f t)»eii- great' Ui ttol «vo the B»«4 *r«irt W trying to do their best in the interests 0 i the instituticn. He agreod with ether speakers that an inquiry had been wnecessavy in face of the reporti of the doctor and the matron. To surest u inquiry after those re-, part* K«d besa received would bear ar ■ «w»trnwM«n it we\/fd not lmve borne had' flke sagjnrt(«a Ihcb m«4e previoualy.

1 Tfe« etatrman *sM U fsr enc intended to reeijn, In fa«t his rt*ignntU>n was in U* hand* of the tiereitry. Tlie position w uofc been *oughfc by hijxi, fe » "»« quit# willing to relinquish it. Hiffteuity k«4 unfortunately arisen hie term m acting-fhiunnan, and he had been adTpredy critirisfc!, Luc in "She «im drenanrteoew he wouldnguin a»J just **m«,

Mr. IfaßtyaoJde eald that hundreds of konaraVk »«n had thenmelvfci asked fax aad UMkted on inquiries in order t&At : thalr TayutattoM might J>e purified., Mm. DaaluiU expressed the ojinion that the doctors might bo asked tp reconsider their decision.

At tins stage it was pointed out that no one had seconded Mr. Gilra6ur's motion, whereupon Mr. Tate said ho would do so.

Mr. McEeynoJds moved as an amendment: "That as the majority of the Board retire in two months time, the medial staff be requested to hold over till the new Board is elected, The amendment was septwdgd by Mr McAHurn. ' '

THE DECISION, Mr. Halcombe moved a*j a further RmeiHlCTfci.t, seconded by Mr. Maxwell: '•That in view of tlio '/act the Board recognises that it xnade a misUko and (Wag not justified in passing a resolution authorising the holding of sui inquiry as to tie resignation of a nurse iafter having received the medical mper-l-inteudent'g report on the case, it would a'enwest the medical staff to reconsider itheir decision as to resigning; /.ailing ml tke best Interesva of icu&iiutUm, k prepiired to Mi. Mcßcynolde' amcadmfnt waa put ftnd lost, and after some confusion in we voting, the chairman declared Mr. Balcombe's motion carried by four votes to tkrfle. Mr. *hj||

time-left the meeting. Those wh'o voted in the affirmative wefe Messrs Halcombe, Maxwell. Bill, and MitcDonald, the "noes" being Mrs. Dockrill and Messrs Gilmour awl Tate, while Mr. Maßeyuolds retrained from voting. The chairman's resignation was then considered, but eventually, at the unanimous request of the members present, he consented to withdraw it and con-_ 'tinue in office.