DUNSTAN DISTRICT HOSPITAL.

Dunstan Times, Issue 1254, 12 March 1886, Page 3

DUNSTAN DISTRICT HOSPITAL.

A meeting of subscribers was held in the Library Hall on Monday evening last, the 9th inst., at 8 p.m.

B. Naylor Esq., President in the Chair. The Chairman stated the meeting was ■ostensibly called for the purpose of electing Trustees under Act of past session of Parliament for regulating the management of Hospitals, entitled the Hospitals and Charitable institutions Act, 1885, but as the meeting ■virtually deposed the old Committee of Management, they had deemed it the proper course before vacating office to present to the subscribers their customary reports. The Secretary, Mr Geo. Fache, read the following reports— Twenty-third and final Eefoet of ihi Committee of Management, To the Subscribers— Oentlestsn— The new law “The Hospitals and Charitable Institutions Act, 1885,” which comes into force and effect {that is in so far as this Institution is con■corned) this day is the cause of our retire* ment from office, and you are now called 'pppn to elect six gentlemen to be termed Trustees, who, together with five others, "to be elected by the contributory local authorities, will, in future control the management of “ The Dunstan District {Hospital.” Regarding the new Act, we have but little to say, we, however have to express the hope that it will work as smoothly as the old laws regulating the management of Hospitals and Charitable Institutions. In ■some respect it is an improvement, as under its provisions all hospitals in future will have meted out to them a like measure of support from the Government in proportion to the amounts of subscriptions or donations respectively raieed by them. In the past some Hospitals only received a £ to £ subsidy, others again received L 3 to LI subsidy, whilst still others were supported entirely by the Government. This unjust allocation of the public monies was an everlasting source of irritation, but now, happily, it will be removed. Again, under the old laws it was optional with the local governing bodies (counties or boroughs) to donate or not from their revenues as they thought fit in aid of the Hospitals and Charitable Institutions of the countiy. By the new law, however, it is incumbent on them to make up any deficiency between the receipts and expenditure, hence it is they have representatives on the Boards of Management. It has been said by many that as the counties and boroughs are compelled to make up the deficiency, whatever amount it may bo, that the necessity henceforth to subscribe will not be so great as in the past. On this head we desire to explain that of the two the necessity will be the greater, because the contributory bodies have it in their power to levy a special rato if the sum to be contributed by them is more thru they can afford out of their ordinary revenues. Your Committee, from their experience of the high-minded liberality and generosity of the residents of the Dunstan District rest satisfied, however, that for want of support so objectionable a tax (a poor rate) will never be allowed to be levied, and their Hospital thus turned into a poor house. The Treasurer’s report, which is attached hereto and will be read, we are pleased to state shows the finances to be in a most healthy and satisfactory position. The new Trustees will have a clear balance of some L4OO to start with after clearing off existing liabilities to the end of February. They will also have the sum of Ll5O, an amount given by the Government for a water supply to the Institution This work your Committee have had in view for a number of years, and they hope their successors will take early steps to complete the work. On reference ‘to the Treasurer’s report for 1885 it will be seen that the subscriptions for the year ,1885 are unusually small. To make this clear it is necessary for ne to explain that, by the new Act the old Committees ceased to exist as from the 30th of September last, but provision was made tbat any Institution conld petition to become a. separate Institution. To do this, however, it was necessary that the petition ehonld be accompanied with a certified list of subscribers of not less than 100 in number, and of LIOO in value. Well, year Committee in the interest of the subscribers the district generally, deemed it the -’feiaer that the Hospital should be incorporated as a separate Institution, and having collected the' required amount—indeed as yon perceive*much more- petitioned accordingly. It is here that we wish to be understoo I—the amount so collected as stated, JL.143 2s 2d, and placed under the heading of assets to be dealt with only by onr successors, was actually collected during October last, and but for the passing of the new Act would, •in the ordinary course of events, have been col- ' lected and plared to the credit Of 1885. The actual displacement of the amount makes'in reality but lit le difference, as tho money is collected and available. It only places, a wrong face on the reports, which, without this explanation, we think was open to bo wrongly construed.

The Surgeon’s report, which explains itself, will also lirf read to you. 1 Your Committee have great plsaeure In stating that the resident Surgeon, Dr Lewie,' also Mr and Mrs Fountain, Wardeman and Matron, are in every respect suited for their respective positions, and to your Committee and the patients they give equal satis* faction. - '•' ■ •' Concluding 'with earnest and sincere thanks to all the. subscribers,. individually and collectively, for the kind and liberal support accorded ns during our term of office, and soliciting on behalf of oar successors a like support. Wo beg to*rem»in, Gentlemen, Tour Obedient Savants, For the Committee of Management, Gbosos Faces, Secretary. March Bth, 1886. ,

Tbeascbbr’s Balance-Sheet job 1885.

Resident Surgeon's Retort. To the CommitteeGemlkmen, —In presenting yoa with this, the 23rd annual medical report of the Dans tan District Hospital, I cannot let the occasion pass without referring to the cases of typhoid fever which occurred during the

past year. it will be seen from returns below that only five patients with this disease' were treated in the Hospital, yet upwards- of 30 cases were treated in the district. In most cases i could directly trace the cause <>f disease to the consump* tion of water, from various water-races contaminated with the remains of ’poisoned rabbits or other animals. Most patients owned to drinking water so polluted, and ! have little doubt the others did so too. Happily but one of the cases so far occurred in our immediate neighbourhood, undoubtedly more through our good fortune than that anything of note has been done to prevent it. Alexandra standi first on- the list as the habitat of fever, and it is to be hoped the inhabitants of that township will take active step* to prevent the diseasejfrom becoming endemic there. ’ There ha ve been no serious diseases of the digestive organs, such as acute diarrhoea or: dysentery, to indicate an unfavorable Change in the well-known salubrity- of climate of the Dnnstan District. , V- Appended are the various returns, which speak for themselves:—,, , Number of patients in Hospital January K 1885 ... .. V.., ... 2 Number of patients admitted during the

year ... 36 Nutnqer of patients discharged during tbeyear .. . ... 31 Number of patients died during the year 4 Number of patients remaining at end of >'* theyear ‘ 3 Number .of, patients treated outdoor j during the year 24

Injuries or diseases treated were Typhoid fever, 6 ; fractures, 6 ; rheumatism, 4 ; alcoholism, 2 ; cancer, 2 ; pneumonia, 2 ; hepatitis, 2; diseases of reproductive organs,, 2 ; plegmon, 1 ; ulcer, 1-; eczema, 1; intussusception of bowels, 1; tontillitis, 1 j dyspepsia, I; bronchitis, 1; heart disease, 1; old age, 1; anaemia, I; epilepsy,. •1; neuralgia, 1 ; paralysis, 1; total, 38,.

Admissions were from following places Alexandra, 10 ; Eomscleugh, 7 ; Hyde, 5 ; Ida Valley, 3j' Cromwell Road, 3; Bald Hill, .3; Hawksburo, 1 ; Butchers Gully, 1 i Coal Creek, 1 ; Ophir, 1; Wanaka, 1 ; Galloway, I; total 36.

GBor.es A. Lewis. M.8., etc., Resident Surgeon

The reports wore most favorably received, and an unanimous vote of thanks was accorded the retiring committee for their elaborate reports and for past services, also to the odicers.

Mr Faces said before the meeting closed he desired to refer to the valuable services rendered to the Institution by the Treasurer, Mr -J. E. Stevens. He said Mr Stevens had most zealously worked in the interest of the Institution, and he could not but thb k he was deserving of more than the ordinary vote of thanks for the service? rendered.. The financial statements that had been jnst read were an evidence that that the office was no sinecure; but he could assure the meeting that those were but a very small portion of the work that attached to the office ;as for example, .there were detailed monthly statements of the receipts and expenditure for the meetings of committee, quarterly reports in 4“tail for the Government, and finally annual reports for the subscribers, the whole cf which had to be audited, besides which was the paying of all accounts. Had a salary been attached to the office Mr Stevens co'uld not more faithfully have performed the duties, or devoted more time to it; and as he said before he thought that Mr Steves was justly entitled to a substantial reward.

Mr Inspector Hickson was most happy in supposing the suggestion of Mr Facbe. Ee would fully bear out what had been said.

The Chairman, Mr Cambridge, Mr Jeffery, and other gentlemen also supported the suggestion It was unanimously resolved —That it be a reconim' ndation by the subscribers to the incoming trustees that they donate Mr J. E Stevens L 5 per annum for the term of his past services. , Kesolved—That the reports as read bo printed in pamphlet form and distributed amongst the shareholders. The meeting then closed, Mr Naylor vacating the chair. Statutory Meeting. The statutory meeting under the new Act for the return of trustees, was then held. Mr Fache read thejproclamation of incorporation of the Dunstan District Hospital as a separate institution under the “ Hospitals and Charitable Institutions Act, 1585,” which also convened the meeting... Mr B. Naylor was re-voted to the chair.

The Secretary then read Clause 49 of the Act relating to the first meeting of the contributors, wherein it was laid down that the meeting shall elect six trustees when the number of contributors to the Institution does not exceed five hundred. Ho said as there were not five hundred contribntorc, the meeting would have to elect six trustees. He also read clause 53, which described the class of persons who were eligible for ofijee. He also referred to the Local Bodies Contractors Act, 1885, which lays down the penalties attachable to. members of local bodies for supplying anything to same.

The Chairman then said he was prepared to receive nominations.

It was explained daring the nomination that as no provision was contained in the Act for the election of trustees by the contributing bodies until November next, except by special order of the Governor, and as the contributors had only the power of electing six, it was suggested that dare should be taken to secure the election of those gentlemen from out of whose number a full quorum could be obtained to attend each meeting for the transaction of ordinary business.

The following gentlemen were then nominated, and on a poll being taken the votes as opposite their respective names, were recorded: — James Hickson ... ... 16 J. E. Stevens ... 16 P. Jeffery ~ v . - ... 15 John Crawford... ... ... 11 L. I). Macgeorge ........ 11 A. Joss 10 W. Fraser „ 7 J. Butler ... ,1: ... 6 J. B.'Wingfield 4 The first sis gentlemen were declared duly elected. - , 1 The meeting then dosed' with a vote of thanks to the chair.

Meeting or Trustees. A meeting of trustees was then held. Present—Messrs Jas. Hickson, Jeffery, and Stevens. Mr Hickson was voted to the chair. Mr George Fache was appointed permanent secretary to the trustees. Mr J. E. Stevens was appointed permanent treasurer. The Secretary was instructed to notify absent members of their appointment. The Secretary was instructed to commu>* nicate to Government the result of election, also to apply to Public Works Department in terms fif telegram from Colonial Secre* .tary’a Office for water supply vote. The meeting then adjonrned till Friday, 12th inat, at 8 p.m.

RECEIPTS. Subscriptions— i 8. ». Alexandra .. t 0 0 BaH Hill Flat... ... 11 is 0 Blacks ... Clyde ... 6 8 0 Dnnstan Commonage... ... 8 0 0 Hawksbnrn Station .. ... 10 '7 •8 Mat&kanui Station. .... v. ;• 8 f. 8 Pembroke - ... ; .. ■ 2 0 A.O.F., Clyde ... 36 15 0 White's Beef .. 3 6 e Entertainments — Alexandra ... ... ... 4 0 0 Blacks ... . ... ... 18 0 0 Clyde .. ... 16 1ft 0 Tinkers .. ... 17 8 0 Hospital Races— ■* Alexandra ... 12 17 8 Clyde ... ... 0 0 0 Grants from Local Bodies— Alexandra Borough ... ... 6 0 0 Vincent County .. 25 0 0 Sale of old sluice boxes... ... 1 0 0 Amount received from paying patients ... 60 4 0 Government subsidy ... ... n is 8 Government grant oh account of F. Perris ... ... 62 0 0 !* M -St 4 ExPBRDITPM! £ a, :n. By salaries ... .. .. 404 19 0 „ rations .. 89 17 11 ,, fuel and light ... 28 19 C It medicine & medical comfort* 20 18 11 : „ furniture and repairs ... 20 4 0 „ -rater supply.;. ... 14 0 c „ bedding and clothing ... 13 s 0 i, advertising, printing. and stationery ... ... 21 8 0 »> insurance ... 12 19 6 „ interest, exchange, k cheque book ... 0 15 0 £627 ft 10 Less accounts unpaid ... - 97 15 11 £529 5 11 By balance in Bank N.Z. ... $U 14 c By overdraft Bank N.Z, ... 60 14 9 £613 15 4 J. E. Stevens, Treasurer. Clyde, March 4th, 1886.

Treasurer’s Balance-Sheet ] ?ob January and February, ltS6. Receipts. £ E. B. To Government subsidy for Gotober and November, 1885, two-thirds of £U 9a Gd .. 7 18 e To Government grant-m aul cf F. Peiris to 31st December, 1885 IS 0 0 To subscriptions — E, Finlav, Alexandra 0 10 C To paying patients 1 10 0 To balance in Bank Now Zealand from last year... 14 14 i £37 7 s Expenditure. £ i. s. By accounts paid — Nov, 22 10 j ;o i> „ ,, Dec. By Trustees of Dunotan Hospi. 10 10 0 tal—One-third of £11 8s 61, subscriptions for last Oct..., R. Finlay’s subscriptions ... 3 16 6 0 10 0 Cash balance in hand, paid to to Trustees 0 1 2 £37 7 8 J. E. Stevenc, Treasurer. Clyde, March 4th, 1886.

Statement of Asset? and Liabilities. £ g D. Amount of subscriptions received for 1886-37, and lodged in Bank of N.Z. ... K3 S 3 Government subsidy due on above 113 2 2 Grant due by District Board ap to 31st November, 1885 ... 130 0 0 Government subsidy on above... 130, 0 0 Government gtant ■ in . aid of water supply 150 0 0 Government grant-in-aid of F. Perris, January and Febru* ary, two months t 10 0 Public Trustee, dne by estate of Mrs Mackellar, deceased .. 7 0 0 £711 14 4 Liabilities. £ 8. D. Passed accounts unpaid.—Nov... 14 1 1 •» i9 DeCo... SO 19 IS ■t . „ Jan.... 55 .16 S - » it Feb... 40 6 c

£160 19 7 The following are the partienlaw of the L143 2s 2d, as above :— Ophir ,. £ 8. .. 14 S x>. S thinstan Commonage ... ..9 7 0 I.O.G.T., Clyde ... 1 1 0 Jas. Hictcson .. 1 0 n Beck’s Brewery .. 2 11 « Clyde—Mr Naylor ... ... 13 18 • Earnaclengh ... 4 12 0 Ida Valley Station ... ... 2 & 0 Charles Holden (A.O.F.) .. IS e 0 Ida Valley—Mr Flannery ... 6 1 0 Monters ... 6 13 • Alexandra—Mr Wingfield ... 19 6 • Bald Hill Flat—Mr Heason ... 9 « 0 I.O.G.T., Alexandra ... 2 0 0 Galloway Station ... ..17 1 6 Matakanni Station ... 12 2 6 Ida "Valley—Mr McDonald .. 3 0 0 Dans tan Hospital Committee ... .4 7 8 £433 2 *