HOSPITAL TRUSTEES.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 780, 1 April 1910, Page 3

HOSPITAL TRUSTEES.

FINAL MEETING. HINTS FOE THE NEW BOARD. ..The Wellington Hospital Trustees, being merged from to-day in the newly-con-stituted Wellington Hospital held their final meeting yesterday afternoon at the Hospital. The Hon. C. M. Luke, M.L.C., presided, and other members present were: Messrs. E. C. Kirk,'J. Danks, J. Trevor, J. W. M'Ewan, G. T. Loudon, and Agmen Smith. The portion of the proceedings that was open to the press was mainly of a valedictory character. The chairman said the old Act under which the hospital administration had been carried on for many years had worked so well as to be a credit to its founder. Nevertheless, there had been some disadvantages, including a certain amount of overlapping. The hospital.had had inmates who could have been more

suitably housed in a charitablo home,and such institutions had accommodated somo who should have been in the hospital. The position of one body (the Hospital Board) finding the money and another (the trusteed spending it ivas anomalous, but it was remarkable that there had been so. little friction between the two during the long period of twenty-five, year's. The new system of election was right in principle, being democratic, but it had been proved again and again that democratic methods were not always the most effective. . The constitution of tho Board of Trustees, coming from the local bodies interested and tne contributors, had produced excellent results. Ho hoped and believed that more interest would in •future be taken in hospital administration, but' the recent election was very disappointing in this respect. It was a pleasing feature that in "the future, tho hospital elections would take place' on the same day as the municipal elections, as this would result in more interest being taken in hospital work. The most important question for the new board would be the provision of a children's hospital. (Hear, hear.) The existing building was only meant to be temporary, but it had stood for nineteen years. It was not at all the right sort of building for its important purpose. He hopea the splendid movement at Christchurch would be emulated here, and would result in- the provision of a proper hospital for the suffering little ones. Another need was a balcony for the Alexandra Home, so that tho people who were spending their closing years there could enjoy more of the sunshine and fresh air. A substantial contribution for this purpose was expected. Provision of facilities at the hospital for the dental examination of school children, as suggested by the dentists, was also highly desirable. The remedying of dental defects was a means of helping'to build up a strong and healthy nation. .. The Hospital Staff. Mr. Luke went on to eulogise the. hospital staff,'' to whom he attributed very much of the success of. the institution. They had had only four medical superintendents in twenty-five years, and Dr. Ewart had held the position for twenty years—probably a record for the Domin-

ion. ' The trustees were also particularly fortunate in having the present medical superintendent, Dr. Hardwicke Smith, whose skill, patience, and devotion were of the highest order. Miss Payne, the matron, also deserved great praise for her .qualities of administration, discipline,and management.. Tho high level which the staff had reached was largely attributable to her, and the nursing staff was equal to any in the Dominion. The steward, Mr. Fox, was also praised by the chairman for his care, forethought, and economy. The present secretary, Mr. Cdyle, had only been in offico eight or nine months, but speaking as chairman, he could say that they' had. never had an executive officer to equal him. He had shown great devotion to duty,. even working long' hours at night,' and when returns were called for ho had exerted himself to provide them, and his gentlemanly conduct was nil that could bo desired. Ho hoped all tho officers to whom ho had referred would-be retained by the new board. If he had omitted any, ho would like to say'that all,were entitled to credit.for having done their best and brought to bear upon their duties that devotion which had made tho institution tho prido of all concerned. Economies Effected, Mr. R. C. Kirk endorsed the chairman's remarks, and spoko very appreciatively of Mr. Luke as chairman, and expressed regret that he had not sought election to the new board. He hoped that Mr. Luke would have a place on tho committee to be appointed to supervise the hospital. Mr. Kirk remarked upon the practical achievements of Dr. Hardwicke

Smith's regime. The drug bill and the food bill had been reduced. The average number of'days' stay in the hospital had also been reduced, and they had treated more patients at a smaller cost than before. They were doing more strictly hospital work, and Dr. Hardwicke Smith was entitled to credit, without any reflection on tho previous management. Mr. Kirk also made appreciative reference to the services of Mr. Fox, tho steward, and expressed Tegret that Mr. Danks would not be a membeT-of the new board. Mr,. London supported Mr. Kirk's appreciative remarks regarding the .chairman and others. Had the public' really understood the worth of the services of Mr. Nash he would have been a member of the new board. The officers had always been ready to second the efforts of the trustees to improve the administration. They had oem particularly fortunate in having as secretary an officer so devoted to his duties as Mr. Coyle. Referring further to tho trustees, Mr. London recognised the services of Mr. A. G. Smith, particularly his efforts to get a better lighting system installed. Mr! J. Trevor also madc> complimentary references, to, the. chairman.and the . ofMr. Danks thanked his fellow trustees for their kind references to himself. Ho hoped the new board would introduce some reform in the matter of in-patients' tickets. There should be one place where they could always be obtained. People had travelled over tho towa for an hour and more trying to get a ticket Tho board had excellent officers, and the present secretary was the best they had ever had. Mr. J. W- M'Ewan and Mr. A, G. Smith also spoke. . . ' The following and other recommendations of the House Committee were adopted ;-That the Rev. Dr. Gibb be informed that Mr. Thomas P. Mills is granted permission to visit the hospital as chaplain, it being assumed .that as tho result of such appointment the Presbyterian ministers who now visit will do so only for special occasions,; that Nurse Setin's resignation be accepted; that Messrs. Webb and Fraser, ex-chairmen, be asked to supply photographs to the board as a record,