THE WELLINGTON HOSPITAL.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1381, 20 August 1885, Page 3

THE WELLINGTON HOSPITAL.

Dr Chilton has been dismissed by Government from the position of resident surgeon at the Wellington Hospita', and Dr Levinge placed in charge. Dr Chilton was offered the alternative of resigning, but refused, asking for an inquiry. O" Tuesday the nurses and others protested iigainst his dismissal, and demanded an inquiry into his case and the reasons for dismissal. Upon the receipt of this protest, the Colonial Secretary took upon himself to order all the nurses out of the hospital. They accordingly had to turn out on the streets on Tuesday night, and deputationised the Hon. Mr Stout in the absence of the Colonial Secretary from Wellington. Mr Stout gave orders that the nurses should be received back in the hospital for the night. The matter haseaused a great sensatin in Wellington. A telegram from Wellington yesterday says: —The Hospital difficulty is now Battled. It appears that four or five days ago it was reported to the Colonial Secre-

tary that the in-ti'ution was disorganised, and the disorder was so great that Mr Buckley sent to Di Chilton, tho medical officer, and informed him that it would ho noo' ssary for him to resign his position, at which Dr 0 .i'ton expressed his surprise, and asked for furty-eight hours to consider the matter. This was agreed to, but after the time had elapsed nothing was heard from the doctor. Yesterday Miss Marsdcn, tho matron, called on Dr Grabham, Inspector of Hospitals, and re--1 ported there was general disorder at the institution, and that owing to Dr Chilton's behaviour she or he would have to leave. She also reported that the doctor's conduct n'as so bad that two of the female patients had got up late at night and left the Hospital, and that others *ero also talking of leaving. The Colonial Secretary thereupon at once relieved Dr Chilton from his charge of the Hospital, and Dr Levinge, of the Asylum, was placed in temporary charge. Yesterday some of the nurses sent a letter to the Colonial Secretary to the effect that the whole of the trouble had been caused by Miss Marsden's falsehoods, and their action was, after consideration, taken as one of insubordination, and Dr Levinge was advised to dismiss the nurses who had attached their names to the letter. This course was adopted, aud tho nurses were turned out last night. Sebsequently they waited on the Premier, who, in the absence of the Colonial Secretary, instructed Dr Levinge to allow them to remain at the Hospital over the night. This morning these nurses left the Hospital, and ethers are being engaged. Men servants attached to the Hospital also protested against the action taken with reference to Dr Chilton, each of whom have received a month's notice. Dudley, Steward of the Hospital, has received a month's salary in lieu of notice, and a new appointment will be made. Dr Chilton has applied for an enquiry into the affair, and the Colonial Secretary has agreed to the request, providing the enquiry is a public one. It is understood that Dr Kenny, of the s.s. Tainui, will be appointed to temporary charge of the Hospital until the appointment of a permanent medical officer.