DR. VALENTINE AND KUMARA HOSPITAL TRUSTEES.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXX, Issue 9009, 19 December 1907, Page 5

DR. VALENTINE AND KUMARA HOSPITAL TRUSTEES.

PASSAGE-AT-ARMS. BY TELEGRAPH —ntESS. ASSOCIATION. , HOKITIKA. December 1?. In the course of an interview with the Kumara Hospital Trustees, last night Dr. V-alintine, Inspector-Gen-eral of Hospitals, had a stormy Dassage-at-arms. The inspector asked the question whether the surgeon who superintends the institution was using the hospital for private practice. The chairman replied that an enquiry had been held, but the matrpn refused to give any evidence on the, subject. Dr. VaUntine stated that there was strong reason to believe that such was the case, and the position did not reflect much on the intelligence of the trustees. The latter remark was strongly resenteJ by the trustees as a body, and some heated speeches were made. In reply to one speaker, Dr. Valintine said he would not deny beinghostile to the Kumara Hospital, and as he had other things to enquire into he would not sit and listen to further recriminations. The inspector then rose and politely wished the trustees "good night," and retired to a chorus of "ta tas," and '*boo-hoos" from the trustees. The Mayor of Kumara (Mr Murdoch) who is a member of the board, made a speech regretting the sensational scene, and calling on the people to prepare for the battle which -will now be necessary to fight for the existence of the hospital, which has been ably maintained by the trustees for the past thirty jears. On Mr Murdoch's motion., it was resolved that Dr. Valintine's reference to the trustees be viewed as a gross insult, and be reported to the Minister of Hospitals, also that a public meeting be called for next Monday night to oppose any effort to close the Kumara Hospital, and if necessary to send a deputation to Wellington to interview the Premier and the Hon. G. Fowlds. The meeting of the trustees also carried a vote of confidence in Dr. Morkane, surgeon superintendent.