NEWS ITEMS
1875 - POLICE COURTA second enquiry was held before the above into the death of Frederick Bussell. From the evidence it appears that the deceased and his mates on the 6th instant were working in a prospecting shaft at Williardt’s paddock, Old Gulgong, when a quantity of earth fell and crushed him, he was at once removed to the hospital and lingered until the evening of the 13th when he expired. Verdict accidental death.
Source: Gulgong Evening Argus, 14 January 1875
1875 - CORRESONDENCE
Mr C. BIRD and the HOSPITAL
Sir - Permit me briefly to reply to the bumptious epistle of Mr Charles Bird in your last issue. I am ready to make and substantiate the complaints I made to Mr Bird as to the shameful neglect and of my dead friend Frederick Bussell while an inmate of that mismanaged charity the Gulgong Hospital. But my complaints shall not be laid before a committee, several members of which declined to take any steps to enquire about them. One coolly told me to write a letter to the Argus. Another declared he was disgusted with the committee’s goings on. A third told me to write to the committee about my complaint. And Mr Bird became almost frantic with excitement when I complained of the inattention of Dr Bennett, he bounced and bullied me for daring to call into question the conduct of that model medical officer. I am ready to substantiate my complaints of the ill treatment and neglect of my friend, now removed from the misery he was subjected to, while helpless on his deathbed from injuries received in his claim at Williardt’s paddock. But it shall be a committee of subscribers, who shall investigate any complaints and not a body who judging from their conduct would not probe this matter to the core and remedy the abuse. With reference to the sneer at the miners not supporting the hospital, I would like to know who else does it. It is not Mr Bird, contractor of drugs and committee man to the hospital. If I was in the same profitable position, I would be able to give more than I have given; but nevertheless I have given according to my means. I leave those miners who have so munificently aided the hospital funds to deal with the insolent insult of this excitable committee man and contractor. He may rest assured that there will be improvements made, such as will remove the want of confidence widely expressed in the competency of Mr Bird and the majority of his colleagues to manage our hospital and make it what it one time was a welcome place of refuge for the sick and maimed miner.
I am yours, respectfully PATRICK HEALY.
Source: Gulgong Evening Argus, 16 January 1875Mr Healey spoke of the lack of treatment given by the wardsman to his friend Frederick Bussell, he refused nourishment to the patient and was generally uncaring. The committee is going to look into the complaint.
Source: Gulgong Evening Argus, 19 January 1875
The committee met to inquire into the grave charges made by Mr Healey against Robert Redman, recently acting wardsman at the Hospital, alleging cruelty and neglect to the late Frederick Bussell who was a patient in the institution.
After mature consideration and investigation we have arrived at the conclusion that Mr Healey’s charges are gross exaggerations, having little or no foundation and that the conduct of the acting wardsman [Robert Redman] to the patients in the hospital has been highly satisfactory.Signed JOHN SCULLY, HENRY ANDREWS AND JOHN MCDONALD
William Hall, George McCartney, Charles Williams, Henry Sock, James Charlton, Margaret Cassidy, all patients at the Hospital stated they had received and observed nothing but good treatment while in the hospital. Robert Redman stated that he had allowed Healey to sleep on a mattress on the floor beside Bussell’s bed, and had provided nourishment as prescribed by Dr Bennett.
Source: Gulgong Evening Argus, 11 February 1875
