HOSPITAL COMMITTEE.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 4127, 14 October 1884, Page 2

HOSPITAL COMMITTEE.

This Day.

Ihe Committee met at at 2 p.m. Present —Messrs. Tiffen (in the chair), Cohen, Couper, A. M'Lean, S. Carnell, W. Harker and H. Williams. visiting committee's report. As members of the visiting committee for this month of tho Napier Hospital avc visited the institution tAvico and found all tho Avards, passages, lavatories, and outbuildings clean and in good order The patients are comfortable and cheerful We j find, however, that the doctor's visits to i

some of the Avards have not been so frequent as required by the bye-law of the institution. We attribute this in a measure to the surgeon-superintendent being new to the duties of this hospital. We suggest that tho Chairman should write to the s-rrgeon-superintendent requesting him to adhere as closely as possible to the bye-laAvs. We recommend that a suitable cinder lifter and ashtub be procured.—H. Williams, S. Carnell. Tho Chairman said he endorsed what the ' committee said about the cleanliness of the place. It was evident that the new doctor had energy enough for half-a-dozen fellows. The report Avas adopted. Mr Harker: I would suggest— Chairman: It is no use iioav after being put. Mr Harker : May I speak to you. Chairman : You cannot speak to a thing already passed. Messrs Williams and Cohen were appointed a visiting committee for next mouth. CORRESPONDENCE. From H. P. Cohen, stating the cost of carpeting the surgeon-superintendent's room was greater than had been anticipated, and Avould he proceed with the work ?—Tho necessary authority had been given by tho chairman and treasurer of the hospital.

Captain Russell Avrote strongly recommending Mr Mahon as a capable house steward and clerk.—A telegram was received from the Colonial Secretary's Department stating a telegram had been received from Dr Fisher that there was no room or work for a house steward, to which the Chairman had wired, "Dr Fisher cannot yet knoAV the requirements of the hospital. I fear now he is Avorking for other people." In his opinion the Committee should be treated Avith greater respect by their employes. surgeon-superintendent's report.

Dr Fisher Avrote:— " Owing to my having been so recently appointed to this hospital I feol that I am not in a position to furnish you with a full report relating to it. The sanitary condition is excellent, and strict cleanliness prevails everywhere."

The Chairman said the proceedings of the meeting of the 17th September woro read but not confirmed. The Chairman read the minutes of tho last meeting. FRESH PORTER. On the matter of appointment of a porter, Mr Carnell said the appointment of Dr. Fisher Avas entirely made hy G. S. Cooper for the convenience of Dr Menzies to enable the one to step on board tho ship while the other stopped off. He Avould like to know tho position of the. Committee in the mutter of appointments. Ultimately it was moved that Mr Gormley's appointment be recommended to the Government. Mr Cohen asked that a note from Dr. Fisher Avith reference to the Ausiting committee be read. The Chairman read the note, which Avaa received on the 10th October, asking if the committee (Messrs Carnell and Williams) had any authority to visit the hospital Avith---: out consulting him (Dr. Fisher.) He asked further if they had any right to say that he Avas to ignore G. S. Cooper in reference to his appointment. The Chairman had replied that the Committee had their duty to perform irrespective of any one. Mr Carnell said the less said about it the better, but Dr. Fisher knew that he Avas a committeeman and had ridden the high horse to him, as he said his appointment Avas from the Government. alteration of nouns for visiting outpatients. Mr. Carnell thought that the advertisement which had appeared in the papers had overridden the bye-laws of the institution in seeking to alter the hours. The Chairman said Dr. Fisher had no right to alter the time; it avis beyond his duty, or even tho duty of the Government to do so.

Mr. Cohen thought Dr. Fisher's attention should be called to the matter. They had not to study him but tho patients. If he did not suit they could get the Government to appoint a new superintendent. (Left sitting.)