DUNSTAN DISTRICT HOSPITAL

Dunstan Times, Issue 891, 16 May 1879, Page 2

DUNSTAN DISTRICT HOSPITAL

The ordinary monthly meeting of the Committee of Management was held in the Clyde Atheuamm, Committee room on Monday evening last the 12th instant. Present, —ls. Naylor, Esq , (President) W. L. Simpson, Esq., (Vice President) and Messrs Attfield, Auckland, Beck, Cambridge. Holt, A. A. Oliver, J. Stevens, (Treasurer) and G. Fache, (Secretary.) The minutes of the previous meeting were read and conlirmed. Tiie inward correspondence, consisting of a letter from Mr E: Charnock, asking the Committee to reconsider the decision arrived at last meeting—the reduction of £lO from his claim for extras in connection with the re-erection of the Hospital buildings. Mr Simpson proposed—That the matter stand over till completion of contract. Mr Auckland advocated that the amount bo allowed, and argued that the contract had been carried out with integrity, and that the amount in dispute was a misunderstanding, and moved an amendment accordingly. A general discussion took place, members holding to the opinion that the Committee, in the disposing of public monies had no right to take any notice of contractors misunderstanding, and that if the Contractor made any error in his calculations so as to create a loss, the Committee was not to be expected to make that loss good. The Committee recognised the fact that the work had been faithfully done, and that the Contractor had had troubles to contend with not contemplated, and eventually resolved to accept of Mr Simpson’s proposition. Mr Auckland tabled a notice of motion— That at the next meeting he would move that the resolution carried at the last meeting, reducing Mr Charnock’s claim for extras bo rescinded. The following tenders for repairing the Hospital race wore now opened : —Chinese, £7O ; do., £65 ; do., £57 ; James Holt, £27. Resolved—That the tender of Mr Holt be accepted. The Visiting Committee reported that the Hospital officials complained of the quality of coals supplied. Mr Beck was de puled to wait on the Contractor, and inform him that unless he supplied a better article bis contract would be broken. The Committee also reported that complaints had reached them of the dietary scale being too meagre especially in the item of meat. Over this question a lengthened discussion took place, during which the Treasurer said the consumption of meat averaged for servants and patients two pounds per head per day. Mr Oliver said it was a mistake to suppose that patients in the Hospital would be allowed to consume whatever quantity of food they liked, the complaint should have been made to the Surgeon, and had bo considered that more food was necessary, he would have ordered it. Resolved—That the Visiting Committee bring under the notice of the Surgeon the complaints made ; also the large consumption of meat. The Visiting Committee’s No. 2 Report, recommending poymect of accounts for salaries and snppfies for the past month, amounting to LSG 14s. was readnndreccived. The Treasurer's report, as follows, was read and received. Receipts. Balance in hand from last report £ 6 G 11 Sale of 0 sheets of iron 10 0 Subscriptions :—Net proceeds of Lecture by Rev. T. E. Ash 3 7 0 B. ifaylor, Senr. - Travelling oxWB»es alio vauce from County Council 1 15 0 C. S. Harvey 10 0 Sundries, Clyde 12 19 C Ida Valley Station 15 15 6 Paping patients 11 0 0 £ 53 3 11

Disbuhtements. Passed accounts paid 47 17 11 ~ ~ for April 4 4 0 52 1 II Balance in hand 12 0 53 3 11 Assets. Balance in hand 12 0 Gov. Sub. for last quarter 68 19 I! ~ „ for current quarter 34 17 0 104 18 6 Debit balance 82 8 2 187 6 8 Liabilities. Passed accounts unpaid to March 31st 133 9 3 Passed accounts unpaid for April 52 10 0 Balance of Government Gront in aid of Building 17 5 £lB7 6 8 The Surgeon’s report, shewing that three patients were in the Hospital at the end of the month, was read and received. Mr Oliver was elected a member of the Visiting Committee, vice Mr Hotop retiring. The Treasurer stated that the whole of the amount voted by the Government for re-erecting the Hospital buildings had been more (than expended and said that, as a great deal more woik was necessary, he thought the Government should be asked for a further vote. Resolved—That a statement of the monies received and already expended on the re-erection of the Hospital be made ; also, an estimate of all other works required to be done, and that the Treasurer and Secretary write to the Government through the local member, asking for a further grant-in-aid. The meeting closed with a vote of thanks to the Chair.