HOSPITAL AFFAIRS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 17 December 1941, Page 6

HOSPITAL AFFAIRS

MEETING OF WAIRARAPA BOARD CHARITABLE AID ASSISTANCE. ALLEGATION BY MEMBER. The monthly meeting of the Wairarapa Hospital Board, held in Masterton today, was presided over by the chairman, Mr H. H. Mawley. The Managing-Secretary, Mr Norman Lee, reported that the Anzac Hospital, at Featherston had been closed, but a skeleton staff was employed to enablefan influx of patients to be dealt with immediately. The need of strictly watching cases of assistance, granted under the Charitable Aid Act, was stressed by Mrs S. Fletcher, when a case was being discussed. She stressed the point that the Social Security scheme provided for most cases. She urged a more careful investigation into applications received for relief. The board was getting too casual, she said. “We try to meet each particular case on its merits,” observed Mr Mawley. “My experience of cases has been that the board, or the Managing-Secre-tary, has always made a thorough investigation,” said Mr J. F. Thompson, who said the statement made by Mrs Fletcher was a reflection on the board) Mrs Fletcher said she would not move a motion she had intended to place before the meeting. Seasonal greetings were received from the Wellington Hospital Board and the Masterton County Council. “I don’t know why they waste time and money sending them out,” commented Mr W. B. Martin.