HOSPITAL BOARD.

Press, Volume LXI, Issue 18362, 21 April 1925, Page 5

HOSPITAL BOARD.

YEAR'S WORK REVIEWED.

Yesterday the North Canterbury Hov pital Board lield its annual meeting. The chairman. (Mr H. J. Oiler) presided, and there wo also presentMesdames H. F. Herbert and E. A, M. Roberts, Messrs J. W. Baty, M. Bethell, H. 11. Holland, F. Horrell, D. McMillan, F. G. Norton, H. Paterson, F. Rowell, A. T. Smith, W. P. Spencer, W. J. Walter, the Hon. R. Mooro, M.L.C., and tho Revs. J. K. Archer and Clyde Carr. In reviewing tho work of tho . past vear, the chairman stated that tho Jk>ard had been called upon for a good deal of expenditure, but had been able to live within its income. In spite of i tho fact that the Board had started tho rear with a deficit, it now had a surplus. Oue satisfactory feature of tho year was tho fact that more had been collected than the Board expected at the beginning of the year. The satisfactory position of the Board was a matter fon congratulation to the staff as much as to the Board. (Hear, hear.) The average number of patients in hospital durinsr the year continued the chairman, was 332. "He expressed regret at the occurrence of the epidemic of infantile paralysis. It had increased the work the hospital somewhat, and had taken three months off the schooling of tho children. Four years ago, Mr Otley added, thero had also been an epidemic, and he hoped that it was not a visitation that they were to expect every four years. There had been 31,223 attendances at tho oftf-paticnts' department during the year. It was evident that the department was outgrowing its accommodation, and it would havQ to be extended. That of course would bo a matter that vould have to bo considered later, but tho extension was necessary as the department was petforming a very necessary work on behalf of those who were unable to pay for private attendance. Hospitals had been opened at Akaroa, Ellesmere and Rangiora, and were in a satisfactory position. During Dr. Blackmore's ( absenofc frons the Sanatorium, Dr. Mclntyre had undertaken the work which was carried out most satisfactorily. The tuberculosis dispensary had been kept busy, but there was a reduction in the number of patients in the Upper Sanatorium. ■ It was hoped that there would Tie reductions in similar institutions. The percentage of patients in the infectious diseases ward throughout the year was 74.75. The chairman concluded /by thanking the staff, particularly tho secretary (Air W. S. AVharton), whom the chairman said the members knew best.' Nothing seemed to be too much trouble to him. He also thanked tho members for tho support they had given tliem in the year. As for tlift office staff, they could not have had a better one.

Site of Nurses' Home. Four letters bearing oil the subject of the proposed nurses' home were received. Olio was from the Christchurcli City Council, conveying its resolution in the matter —one From the Riccarton Borough Council, stating that the whole question of the hospital buildings should be reviewed. "A large order!" commented the chairman amidst laughter. The Canterbury Timber Employees' Union wrote stating that it wag against the kitchen garden sit© on the ground that the nurses should live away front the scene of their work, and also that a building there would exclude the view of the patients in some of the wards. The Beautifying Association Wrote hoping that the Board would open negotiations with the Acclimatisation Soci-> ety for the acquirement of tile "horse paddock site." "We cannot go into this question ju&fc now," remarked the chairman, updn whoso motion the letters were received.

Hospitals' Association. A circular letter was received from Mr W. Wallace, Provisional President of the Hospital Boards' Association,' notifying the Board that a (jpnferenei' of the Association would bo held at Auckland on Wednesday, May 27th, and forwarding the agenda paper. Consideration of the matter was deferred until the next meeting, which it was decided to hold a week earlier. Mr Holland also agreed to hold over, until the next meeting; the following notice of motion: —"That steps bo taken by the Board to acquire a sufficient and suitable area of ground for a future subsidiary Hospital in or near tho City of Chi'istchurch, immediately, and that a committee be 6et up at the following meeting of the Board to deal with this matter."

Wages and Salaries. Two clauses in the report of the Finance Committee, dealing with wages and salaries, were, on the motion of the chairman of the committee (Mr Moore), taken in committee, after a motion against this step, moved by Mr Archer and seconded by Mr Spencer, had been lost. When the Board resumed, Mr Archer opposed tho adoption of tho report <'n tljo ground that the committee had either exceeded its duties or someone acting for the Board had exceeded his instructions. All the decisions arrived at by the sub-committee -should have been reported t-o the Board before being acted upon. The hours of the porters r.t tho Sanatorium had been increased without tiny increase in 'salary. The case of the cook at tho Fresh Air Home, added Mr Archer, "was well known to the Board. She had had her salary increased on the recommendation of the matron to £2 155,.,.and now. it was proposed to reduce her salary to- £2 *2s. She saved tho Board pounds 'a rear in her caro of the stores. Ho moved that the salary bo letb at the present rate. . Tho chairman: I'm afraid there has been some mistake. No one has been discharged." Ho added that lie believed in paying . award rates aa much as Mr Archer did, but there were cases which were _ not -covered by awards The committee had had an unpleasant job, but had done its best to be fair to everybody. Mr Smith said that a good deal had been said br Mr Archer respecting tho saving in the cost of food at tho Fresh Air Home, yet the cost was £<oo tor about 30 children—more than at tho other homes. Mr Spencer seconded the motion. The Hon R. Moore said thpt it was unfortunate that Mr Archer had not l>een present rt tho comnuttee s deliberations. Every aspect had been taken into consideration and. Ue case: mentioned by Mr Archer. The Boar was Tjavinc more than the award rate. ]?ev? Clyde Carr: Yes—ls 3d! . Tlio report iras adopted, the chairman remarking that in his long experience of public bodies ho had never previously known the report of a committee to bo objected to. Compliments were exchanged between the chairman, the Board, and the staff. ' ; The pleastnt relations which exi«t between tho members and the chairman." said Mr Archer, "are largely due to tho influence of the cEairman himself- - ' ;