“NOT UNDERSTOOD”

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2556, 17 July 1909, Page 3

“NOT UNDERSTOOD”

THE QUESTION OF HOSPITAL BONUSES. DISCUSSED BY .THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES. Reference was made at the meeting of the Hospital Trustees last night to the question of the. granting of bonuses to the medical officers of the institution. This action on the part of tho Trustees has been adversely criticised >,nd has been attracting a considerable amount of public attention. At the conclusion of the reading of the minutes of the previous meeting, the Hon. Capt. Tucker took exception :.o the following paragraph, which Avas the. secretary’s minute of the motion authorising* tho payment of the bonuses: Mr. A. F. Matthews proposed that a bonus of 50 guineas be voted to the medical superintendent in consideration of the extra work thrown on him through the congested state of the hospital during the fever season, also through the Trustees not being able to get a house surgeon for several mohtlis. Seconded by Mr. Ljsnar anti carried. The Hon. Captain Tucker said that his recollection of the proceedings was that it was not really the question of a bonus, but rather a case of compensation. ‘Dr.- Wilson most certainly had a claim against the. Trustees for compensation, if he desired to enforce it, on account of. .their not fulfilling their agreement Avith him, by uot providing a house surgeon, for over s'x months. The terms of Dr. Wilson’s appointment were that he was to have the right of private practice, and it was understood that Avith a house surgeon he would have his afternoons practically free. ITe (Captain Tucker) would move that instead of the words “bonus of 50 guineas,” they insert “as compensation for not having a house surgeon, and on account of the extra work which had been cast upon him.” Mr. Darton said that it Avas evident that tho trouble Avas in the wording of the original motion. Although Mr. A. F. Matthews’ original motion undoubtedly contained the AA'ord “bonus,” bo (tho speaker) thought that the giving of a bonus was not the intention of tho motion. Mr. MacDonald concurred with this vieAV. Although he had not been present when the motion was carried, it Avas his idea that the sum had been granted by way of compensation. Messrs Mann and Dewing also stated their opinion that the voting of the money was not done in the light of giving a bonus. . The Chairman said that the trouble was that the original motion had rot been put in in. Avriting, and they had to depend on the recollection of members. Neither the mover nor the seconder 4f_tbe motion was present, and had the motion been in Avriting he could not allow it to he altered.' As it was, it remained for members to' say if the proposed amendment to the minutes should be made.

Mr. Darton said that he know of his own personal knowledge of several occasions on which Dr. Wilson had not left the. hospital all day, through rot having the assistance of a house surgeon. In answer to the Chairman, the secretary said that Dr. Wilson’was appointed to the hospital in Noa en ter, 1907. Dr. Brett,' Avho-was then Iw use surgeon, left in December, and the position Was nob filled until the appointment of Dr. Sampson m July, 1908. The secretary further stated that one of the terms of appomtin mt of a medical superintendent has that he should have tho assistance of a house surgeon. Captain Tucker remarked that they AA'ould have had to pay '"ach more than •0 guineas in salary to a house surgt'm if they had had one during the time the appointment was vacant. ' It Avas eventually ’(decided by a unanimous vote of members that the minute of the original motion be amended to read as follows :■ —

Mr. A. F. Matthews proposed that a sum of 50 guineas be voted to the medical superintendent as compensation, through the Trustees being not able to get a house surgeon for several months. Seconded by Mr. Lysnar and carried.