HOSPITAL MATTERS

Evening Star, Issue 19799, 24 February 1928, Page 10

HOSPITAL MATTERS

MEETING OF OTAGO BOARD The members of the .Hospital Board hold their monthly meeting last evening. Present: Messrs AA’. E. S. Knight (chairman), J. AV. Dove, W. Morgan, I). Laruaeh, D. McLennan, A. E. tjuelch, J. W. Scurr, G. Gallaway, Mrs AV’. Ross, and Miss Runciman. AMENDMENT JN BY-LAAVS. The Director-General of Health wrote in reference to the suggested amendment to the medical staff by-laws dealing with the terms of appointment and dismissal. He stated that he was not quite clear as to the proposals of the board in regard to the appointment and dismissal of house surgeons. He was strongly of the opinion that the by-law should stand as at present, and be recommended that no alterations be made, or at any rate until after such time ns bo bad bad an opportunity of discussing the matter personally with the board. He thought that, while making it, very clear to house surgeons that it was most, unusual for such an officer not to "play the game” by bis board, they should ho given to understand that if a case did occur whore one of these officers did not fulfil his responsibilities fairly and squarely he would receive no further appointment whatever in any institution coming under their hospital system. Jf any of those house surgeons intended to break hie contract or act otherwise than honorably by the board bo did not think any by-law would stop him. Mr Gallaway said that this seemed an extraordinary attitude for the Dir-ector-General to take up. After all, it was simply a matter of business on the board’s part. The letter was received, the matter to ho discussed with Dr A’alintine when lie visited Dunedin. THE YEAR'S LEVY.

Tlic Town Clerk wrote asking to be advised of the approximate amount of levy for the year 1928-29. The information was required to enable the council to strike the necessary rate.— The matter was referred to the Finance Committee with power to act. ' FINANCIAL AFFAIRS.

The adoption of the Finance Committee’s report was moved by Mr Quelch. As an amendment Mr Callaway moved that, clause 3 be referred back to the committee. The recommendation read: —“The necessary alterations to the main office for provision of a new strong room as per plan submitted by the architects at an estimated cost of £2OO be approved. Tenders to be called for the work and provision for payment to bo made in the next year’s estimates.” Mr Callaway remarked that there was no doubt about the board being hard up, and he did not think the expenditure necessary. The amendment was seconded by Mr Larnach.

The Chairman stated that he was as strongly opposed as anybody to needless expenditure, but ho thought that a strong room, on the linos suggested, was necessary. The amendment was lost. WORKS COMMITTEE.

A report in connection with the Works Committee, which dealt with the proposed new laundry building to he built on the ground at the Otago Benevolent Institutiqn. and with the equipment, was submitted by Mr Dove. Mr Quelch stated that the proposals made provision only for essentials,.

Sonic expensive machinery would bo required later. 'The report was adopted. Tenders will be called for the erection of the building, and also for the supply of the new machinery and plant. The various types of machinery will be considered, and a decision will be come to with regard to the most suitable. On the recommendation of the committee the offer was accepted of Messrs Donald Stuart, Ltd., to carry out necessary repairs on a time and material basis to the slate root of the main building of the Dunedin Hospital.