DUNSTAN DISTRICT HOSPITAL.

Dunstan Times, Issue 729, 7 April 1876, Page 2

DUNSTAN DISTRICT HOSPITAL.

The usual monthly meeting of the Committee of Management was held in the Committee Hoorn, Town Hall, Clyde, on Monday evening last, the 3rd inst. Present : J. Hazlctt, Esq., (in the Chair) Rev. J. Dewe, and Messrs Cambridge, Holt, Auckland, Naylor, J. Samson, (Alexandra) J. E. Stevens, (Treasurer) and G. Faohe, (Secretary), Dr Thomson was also present. The minutes of the last monthly meeting and of special meeting held on the 22nd ult., were read and confirmed. Inward correspondence, consisting of letters from Dr Allen, Dr Horace, G. Butter, Dunedin, Dr A. T. Thomson, and Mr D. M‘Bwen, were read and received. Outward, to Dr xV. T. Thomson, and a number of others to the station masters and other leading men throughout the district, soliciting their support in the collection of subscriptions, were read and adopted. The President stated that it would he as well to first consider what course the meeting intended to pursue relative to the appointment of Dr Thomson’s successor, the principal question was the fixing of salary, and whether the incoming surgeon should be a resident surgeon as formerly, or merely a visiting surgeon ; for his own part he did not think the Committee could afford so large a salary as formerly, however, that was tire first matter to be dealt with.

I’ev. Mr Dewe said he thought the Institution could he as efficiently attended to hy a visiting, as by a resident surgeon. Mr Stevens was of opinion that whether the surgeon was styled visiting or resident, it was merely a difference in name, and not in fact, as when private practice was allowed the surgeon merely visited the Hospital wards morning and evening, and during the day attended to his private practice. Mr Cambridge proposed, That the salary of the Surgeon be L2OO per annum, with residence and private practice. Seconded by Mr Stevens and carried. Mr Stevens proposed, Thatadvertisements be inserted in the Otago Daily Times and Dunstan Times calling for applications for the position of Resident Surgeon to the Dunstan District Hospital, salary L2OO per annum with residence and private practice. Seconded by Mr Holt and caariod. The President now called upon Dr Thomson and said if he could got a substitute at the reduced salary for the remainder of his term of office the Committee would bo willing to accept of one and let him leave, if not, the Committee would expect him to remain till the expiry of his term. Dr Thomson said ho could not give an answer just then but would to do so in the course of the next day. It rvas then decided to adjourn the meeting till the 4th inst., at 8 p.m., to receive Dr Thomson’s reply. The Visiting Committee’s report No. 1 was read and received. Report Ho. 2, recommending payment of accounts for supplies, salaries, etc., for tho past month, amounting to LBO 5s 7d, was read and received. It was explained that the items insurance L.lO odd, carriage ou drugs L 5, and the cost of necessary repairs hail increased tho amount beyond the ordinary. Tho Treasurer’s report, as follows, was read and received. RECEIPTS, Subscriptions Clyde L 23 2 0 Alexandra 3 7 0 Nevis Hospital Pace 0 0 0 Balance from last report ... 10 10 8 Paying patients 23 15 0. L7B 15 2

DISBURSEMENTS. Passed accounts paid LO7 7 2 ASSETS. Provincial Government Subsidy LOO 10 4 Balance in Bank H 8 0 LTABILITES. Passed accounts unpaid ... L 221 8 (5 Debit balance LIOO 18 2 Tho Surgeon’s report, as follows, was read and received. Patients in Hospital on March 1 ... 8 „ since admitted 2 „ discharged 5 ~ remaining in Hospital on March 1 5 Kesolved, That no reduction can be made on account paid by Mr M ‘Ewen, as it would be a deviation from the rules. Resolved, That Dr Allen’s offer cannot be accepted. The Treasurer was instructed to publish tho names of defaulting paying patients, and to add a note to the effect that proceedings will be taken against all those who have not paid by the end of the month. Mr Cambridge was re-elected member of tho Visiting Committee. The meeting adjourned till tho 4th inst., at 8 p.m. Adjourned meeting held on the 4th inst. PresentJ. Hazlett, Esq., (in the Chair) and Messrs Naylor. Cambridge, Auckland, Holt, Stevens and Fache Secretary. The Secretary read letter from Dr Thomson to the effect that both Dra Allen and Stewart had agreed, in the event of either being accepted, to act as his substitute until the expiry of his term of office. After discussion it was resolved that both gentlemen be considered as nominated by Dr Thomson as his substitute, and that a bal'ot decide. Ballot was taken:—Dr Stewart, 4 ; Dr Allen, 3. Dr Stewart was therefore accepted. The Secretary was instructed to write Dr Thomson the result, and ask when he desired to hand over his charge. The meeting then closed with a vote of thanks to the chair. ALEXANDRA SCHOOL. o The following is the annual report of tho above School by the Government Inspector of Schools : “ The Alexandra School was visited by me on the 24th February, IB7G. The proficiency of tho various classes was greatly inferior to what I found at my last visit early in 1874. Reading—moderate, in a few cases fair. Repetition of poetry—accurate and fair. Comprehension of meaning—inferior. Spelling—inferior, but a few papers were good. Special attention is required to tho correction of errors in spelling and dictation lessons. The latter are not practised sufficiently. Writing—fair in a few cases, but in tho groat majority inferior and careless. Tire position of the body and the manner of holding the pen were frequently faulty, while several wrote with pens so short that they could only be held like small pieces of slate pencil Such of the exercise books as I saw were very untidily kept, and shewed very careless penmanship and inferior cyphering. Arithmetic—very inaccurate and unsatisfactory. The method of teaching the elements of this subject has received very inadequate consideration. Grammar—most unsatisfactory. Most of the pupils knew nothing even of the first principles of the subject. Geography—very backward, and inferior. Sewing—Owing to the illness of the Mistress the work of this department was not seen. Discipline—indifferent. The pupils were not so attentive Or careful as could be desired. Classmovements—disorderly. The pupils’ books were very badly kept and very few were covered. Tho slates of tho junior pupils were not properly ruled for writing. There was no proper Register of Attendance, and no Time Table. Little or no care is taken to keep maps, drawing sheets, reading cards, &c., in good order, and most of tho above lay about in odd corners. A rack should bo provided for the maps. The methods of teaching, so far as I saw them, were very unsuitable, and do not appear to have received any serious or adequate consideration. On this subject I would recommend to tho teacher’s notice Robinson’s valuable and exhaustive “ Manner of method and Organization.” In the working of the School tho “Syllabus ” has been wholly ignored. In most of the Subjects, the Master had no idea of what his pupils could do. The results of the Examination as a whole were very disappointing, and the management far from reassuring. Better method and a heartyinterest in the work are much needed. D. I’ETRIE, M.A., Inspector of Schools.” A very curious tragedy, which has tho appearance of being manufactured by Miss Braddon instead of having actually happened, has taken place at a country house in Surrey. A gentleman of tho name of Carrington, who has an observatory, studied the stais to such small purpose that he took to himself a wife, some yeais ago, who had intimato relations with a man called Rodway, whom sho represented to be her brother. This fellow kept tho poor lady in abject fear of him, and at last, upon her refusal to give him more hush-monoy, attacked her, and left her for dead. Rodway was sentenced to twenty years’ penal servitude, and one would have thought there had been mein-drama enough for a small family in the country. However, a fortnight ago Mrs Carrington, who had quite recovered from her wounds, was found dead in bed. And last work, after the inquest, Mr Carrington was also found dead in tho same situation. To conclude, the name of tho lonely house and observatory in which these events occurred, and which is situated in tho most lovely part of .Surrey, is called “Tho Devil’s .Tumps,” A very nice place to take for tho Christmas holidays.