CHARLESTON.

Westport Times, Volume V, Issue 804, 22 April 1871, Page 2

CHARLESTON.

HOSPITAL COMMITTEE. A special meeting of the Charleston Hospital Committee was held at the Melbourne Hotel, ou Thursday evening last. Present—Messrs Broad (chairman), H. Jones, T. G. Macarthy, J. Behau, C. M'Carthy, P. M'Carthy, P. Seanlon, P. M'Parland, M. Biordan, R.' Slattery, and B. Weston. The Chairman explained that it was a special meeting, called upon the motion of Mr M'Parland to take into consideration the permanent appointment of a surgeon. A letter of apology was read from Mr Nevin, of Brighton, and one from Mr Shapter, tendering his resignation as a member of the Committee. Mr M'Parland said that at the end of the financial year the appointment of a surgeon to the hospital was taken into consideration. It was then his intention to have asked that tenders be invited from persons willing to undertake the duties, as also for tenders for supplies. He had nothing to say against Dr Henry, but he claimed that tenders shouid be called in the interests of the public. He would move that tenders be invited for a medical officer to the Charleston Hospital, and he would suggest that the same be advertised, for one moD th, in the " Grey River Argus," the " Nelson Colonist," and the Melbourne " Australasian."

Mr Buckley "Weston begged to say that, as a new member of the Committee, he was unacquainted with the past proceedings of the Committee, but as the last speaker had said there was no cause of complaint against Dr Henry he should be glad to be made acquainted with the reason for calling for tenders.

Mr Jones said that he could not allow the matter to pass without moving an amendment. He did so on principle, as tenders had never been previously called for, unless in case of resignation. It was not customary to do so in the first place, and, in the second place, as Mr M'Parland had said, there was nothing against Dr Henry, he, therefore, thought it would be an injustice to him, and he moved as an amendment, " That Dr Henry be re-appointed for twelve months, at a salary of £3OO per annum." Mr "Weston seconded the amendment. Mr P. M'Carthy said that it was the duty of the public to endeavour to procure another medical man for the district, and that the Hospital appointment was the proper means of doing so. It was necessary in serious cases, such as lunacy or amputation, to have another medical man to assist. Mr T. G. Macarthy: Or in other words, to kick Dr Henry out for the benefit of somebody else. Mr Broad said that it would be necessary to give an account of Dr Henry's career, and how it was that he had first come to Charleston. Dr Giles and Dr Irvine had been appointed to procure a Surgeon for the Charleston .Hospital. Dr Irvine returned an answer that he could not procure one, and Dr Giles mentioned Dr Henry, who was then in Tauranga, where he had charge of the Hospital and other appointments. From the information Dr Henry received, he threw up the appointment, and proceeded to Charleston. When he arrived, he found that Dr Bruen had been appointed. He then endeavoured to get on by private practice, until Dr Bruen resigned, prior to leaving the district. The Visiting Committee had never made any complaint, and Mr M'Parland and the gentlemen who had spoken had also recognized that fact. Mr M'Parland's proposition amounted to this, that no doctor could be found to do as Dr Henry had done, to throw up his appointment, and come to Charleston. The course proposed had no precedent in the history of the Hospital; the doing of it would amount to a dismissal of Dr Henry. I In respect to cases of lunacy, or am- I putation, that Mr M'Carthy had men- I tioned, he trusted they would not be M required for the future. The old com- ■ mittee had experienced the difficulty I of providing a doctor ; and now it was 5 proposed to dismiss Dr Henry without ■ anything against him. Mr Broad 9 then read a letter he had written to B Government respecting the matter, I and also a telegram which he had re- ft ceived in answer, stating that they ft were against the removal of Dr Henry B unless in case of complaints. ft Mr M'Parland said, as the mover of ft the motion, it was not his intention to ft oust Dr Henry. ft Mr Broad said that the motion Wft tantamount to a dismissal. ft Mr Behan wished to know if tie ft surgeon of the Hospital wan appointed ■ by government. ft; Mr Broad said not; they merei/ftlield the right to veto an appointment» Mr Behan said Dr Henry could w'R? but be grateful to Mr Broad and 3fr M Jones for the flattering manner which they had spoke of him, but bft& attributed it, in a great measure, to personal motives. ft Mr Broad said that Mr Beb«K: could not attribute such motive! "HE Mr Behan said that Mr Joneß/ >! M|' favouring Dr Henry more for motives. , I _ Mr Jones said it was only on.P n , ciple he spoke; he would same manner for any of the if they were placed in a similar p i)3l ft Mr M'Carthy made some eD 9 n respecting the extra duties of the sur 'B»

geon on account of which the increase was made in his salary. Upon the motion and amendment being put, the following was the result: For the amendment—Messrs Broad, Weston, C. M'Carthy, T. G. Macarthy and Jones. For the motion—Messrs P. M'Carthy, Scanlon, M'Parland, Behan and Riordan. Mr Slattery declined to vote. The Chairman said as the numbers were equal he would give the casting vote in favor of the amendment, which he declared carried. Mr M'Parland asked Mr Broad if lie was allowed to vote twice. Mr Broad said he was allowed to vote as a member of the committee and also as chairman. Mr Behan then stated his intention of resigning, after which the chairman adjourned the meeting.