CHARITABLE AID.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume III, Issue 627, 4 May 1882, Page 2

CHARITABLE AID.

Last afternoon, after we went to press, a meeting of the joint committee appointed by the Borough and County Councils to administer charitable aid in the County was held. The Hospital returns for April were laid on the table ; they have been already published. It was resolved that three should form a quorum at committee meetings. Mr Main waring was appointed secretary, and was instructed to communicate with Mr Marsh, pointing out that in future the Committee would only be liable iu the exact amount of charitable aid shown to have been outlayed in the district. It was decided that the medical supervision of the Hospital in the future be similar to that of the past, and Dr Trevor was elected medical superintendent at a salary of LI 50 for the ensuing twelve months. It was decided that the present arrangements at the Hospital be continued for one month, at the end of which time, the Committee propose considering the matter of improvement of the rules, and the charges in the private and public wards. Authority was given for the signing of cheques by the Chairman, or two other members ; the account to be kept at the Union Bank of Australia. The Chairman and Messrs Williamson and St. Hill were appointed a sub-corn-mittoe to ascertain what repairs are needed at the Hospital, and to accept tenders for maintenance. It was resolved —“ That this Committee recommend to the County Council that it should vote the sum of L to bo granted iu aid of the formation of a Volunteer Fire Brigade on the west side of the town.” The meeting then adjourned for a month. A committee meeting was held this morning. Present Messrs W. 0. Walker, D. Williamson, and St. Hill. The following tenders for maintenance were accepted : —Marsh, bread ; Lancaster, meat ; Orr and Co., medical comforts and groceries ; Gardiner, milk ; Tucker, Maynard and Co., fuel ; Neate, drugs ; Gates, funerals. It was then resolved that in the absence of the Chairman, the secretary should communicate with the Mayor in cases of charitable aid requiring immediate attention. The meeting then terminated.

At yesterday's mooting in Christcliurch a lotter was road from Government intimating that they had no power to interfere with the charitable aid arrangements of Ashburton County and Borough. The secretary was instructed to send the Ashburton Hospital and Charitable Aid Committee information as to what patients from Ashburton district were in the institutions under the Board ; and, on Mr Hawkes’s motion, seconded by the Mayor of Sydenham, it was resolved That a letter be written to the Ashburton Committee, asking if they will agieo to pay for the maintenance of any patient admitted from Ashburton County.” Apropos of this business. Dr Prins referred to a recent case of a sick and destitute girl who had come from Ashburton, and had just gone back there to fetch her things, intending to return to the Christchurch Hospital; and Mr Stevens mentioned that it would be desirable if an und-cr-

t standing could be arrived at with all local bodies likely to send patients to Christ--2 church. It was reported that there were 3 now 23 inmates in the Old Men’s Horae, r —— f t i, if ,v e t e e id is