Auckland Hospital Scandal

Waihi Daily Telegraph, Volume IV, Issue 1138, 5 November 1904, Page 2

Auckland Hospital Scandal

— Commission of Inquiry

Bj Telegraph.—Fr«i Association,

Adctund. this dtij,

At tho Hospital Commission of Inquiry Mr. Stitchbury, ox-cb&irmnn, said t'lat in bis tima thovo was always friction with Bomo mombors of tho honorary stall', Tli" position of souior modical officer was oroatod on account of complaints m the press and amongst tho public that thoro was no proper head at tlie hospital, Ho bcliovod (bat tho aonior ollioers at Wellington, Oliristcluu'ob, and Duuediu Hospitals ocoupied a similar position, but Judge Ward said tho rules of those institutions showed that this was not so.

Mr. John MoLeod, a member of tho Board, said that from 1898 to 1903 over £20,000 was written off hospital fees in respect to indigent patients. Dr. MaoGrogor, who was recalled, speaking in rogard to hospital foes, said there was no doubt there was a legal flaw in tho rnlo to the extent that tho Act said that patients should bo charged in proportion to tlioir means; " but," added tho witness, "who is to find out what aro thoir moans? Is it a policeman ?" Wiineea considered that tho Auokliud Board was entitled to credit for an honest attempt to deal with the matter. It did not want to seo tho ratepayers swindled bs they woro in this mattor nil ovor the country. Finally, Dr. MacGre ;or declared that the whole hospital ndu'' istrationof this oountry it putting & p. jjium upon thi pretinotof pinperlim,