DUNSTAN DISTRICT HOSPITAL.

Dunstan Times, Issue 795, 13 July 1877, Page 3

DUNSTAN DISTRICT HOSPITAL.

—o The usual monthly meeting of the Committee of Management was held in the library Hall, on Monday evening last, tho Bth instant. 'Present—B. Naylor, Esq. (in tho Chair), and Messrs Samson, Auckland, Holt, Cambridge, Beck, Hotop, J. E. Stevens (Treasurer), and G. Fache (Secretary.) . . V ■ Tho minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. The correspondence, inward and outward, was read, received, and adopted. Tho Visiting Committee’s No. 1 report recommended that closet of the Chinese ward he removed, it being in its present position a nuisance; also, that tho water pipes and taps in tho bath room and kitchen range bo repaired. Resolved—That tho Resident Surgeon ho requested to report on the Chinese question to the next meeting, and that the Visiting Committee be authorised to have the other things attended to. Report No. 2, recommending payment of accounts for salaries and supplies, for the month of June, amounting to LlO4 13s 2d, was read and adopted. |l Mr Samson said he had hoard complaints JU Cfp several discharged patients of the q-iality of the butter supplied, and asked if fresh butter could not be at all times supplied. The President said a great deal had been said about the butter, and complaints had reached his ears of the article supplied (luring tho past month. He could only say that the best butter procurable in tho market had been supplied to the Institution. For the past month it had been fresh potted from a local farmer. He thought there was more said than was warranted. Mr Samson: Strong, rancid butter even to people in good health was objectionable ; to sick persona it must be exceedingly so.' He would suggest. That separate tendeis ho called for supplying fresh butter. It being pointed out that tho current tenders would not terminate till September the subject dropped. Tho Treasurer’s report, as follows, was read and received— Receipts. balance from last Report ... L 23 7 0 Government Subsidy for last Quarter ... 9 7 0 Paying Patients 9 10 0 Subscriptions ... . ... .., 180 3 0 £222 7 0 Disbursements. Passed account a paid L 172 15 I balance in hand 49 II II Assets. balance in hand 49 11 11 Gov, .Sub. for Quarter ended 30th Juno ... 202 10 6 L 252 8 6 Liabilities. Passed accounts unP«<l ... LlO4 13 2 Credit Balance ... 147 15 3

The SrirghhiiM report Was rood and I received ns follows—l- ■' < : ■« ’ bo. of patients in Hospital May 31- ... 0 do. since admitted ... .;. ... 6 do. discharged during June ... ... 6 do. remaining in Hospital Juno 30 ... 10 do. out-patients treatedduring’June... IC Tho report further referred to tho objection of Mr Slattery to pay for his son, six years old, L 7 IQs, at tho rate of 30s per week for fiyo weeks. Tho report explained that the child was admitted with a broken arm, and that the trouble with him was greater than of an adult, and recommended that no reduction should bo made’ in favor ,p{ the son, , , ' ’ Mr Samson' said' it appeared that Mr Slattery had been informed children, were only charged half the price of an adult. Thirty shillings per week for the maintenance of a child appeared high, and he would suggest that, a reduction be made. If such were done it would look better with the people of Tinker’s Gully. Mr Slattery .had influence at Tinker’s Gully, and he might use it against the institution if the full demand was made. Mr Facho said it was no simple .case of maintenance, the Resident Surgeon had reported that the case wis one entailing a lot of trouble. Common sense Would tell any one that a child six years of , age with a broken arm would give a deal of work. From what ha understood, the case was an intricate and delicate one, it has been successfully treated, and he thought Mr Slattery should bo asked to P a y the full demand. He would not insult the residents of Tinker’s Gully by supposing for one moment they will with-hold their support from the Institution because of a difference of opinion between the Committee of Manrgement and ono of their number, ho thought rather that they would support the Committee if they demanded the full amount. After some further discussion it was re- 1 solved—That the Secretary write to Mr Slattery explaining the whole circumstance of the case, and ask for the payment of the full amount. Mr Faohe said it being understood that all subsidies from tho Government ceased from the 30th of last month, it behoved the Committee, if they desired to keep the Institution open, to look into their ways and means. During the past month nearly L2OO had been subscribed, hut that would not last for ever; it, however, was proof itselt that the District desired to keep it open. He thought that the County Council should he pressed for a definite answer as to what assistance it was intended to give tho Hospital. Mr Samson said he considered it perfectly safe to rest on our oars for a time, and not trouble the County Council. The matter then dropped. A question was asked whether any arrangements had been entered into with the residents of Blacks’ District. The Secretary explained-that hehad held a Meeting at Black's, when it was arranged “ That upon the District raising a certain sum of money so as to enable the Committee to raise the Resident Surgeon’s salary, that the Surgeon should visit Blacks and Tinkers Gully every alternate week, and attend holders of tickets as out-door patients, and that for special visits he would attend subscribers ofL2 2s. to the funds of tho Institution at the rate of three shil lings per mile, travelling expenses.” He tho Secretary had, however, since the meeting, heard nothing further from the district—he therefore assumed that no further steps would be taken. Mr Samson regretted that any action was taken, had he been present he would most decidedly have opposed it—he was afraid more harm than good had beou done. Mr Hotop was elected member of tho Visiting Committee. A vote of thanks to the Chair terminated the meeting.