GREY RIVER HOSPITAL TRUSTEES.

Greymouth Evening Star, Volume XXXI, 10 August 1901, Page 3

GREY RIVER HOSPITAL TRUSTEES.

The regular monthly meeting of the Grey Biver Hospital Trustees was held hist night;' Present—Messrs Petrie (chairman), Phillips, Gieseking, M'Oarthy and Smith.

Before proceeding with the ordinary business of the meeting, the chairman desired to draw the attention of the Trustees to the unsatisfactory position in which the finances stood. Owing to a dispute between the local contributing bodies as to the basis of contributions, the Trustees had received no payments for a considerable time past, and as a consequence .the June and July accounts remained unpaid In addition to which they were overdrawn £6OO at the bank. The Trustees could not allow this state, of affairs to continue, and be moved that Messrs Smith, Phillips and M'Oarthy wait upon the Borough Council and ask that they pay their subsidy even if under protest, and the County would do the same. This would enable the Trustees to pay off arrears and considerably reduce the overdraft. Seconded by Mr Gieseking and carried.

Letter was read from Dr Morice relative to an increase in nurses’ salaries. In reply to a quesiton the doctor said that the applicants were to sit next week for their certificates and he was confident they would pass. Resolved on motion of Chairman, seconded by Mr Phillips, that salaries be increased to £4O from the first of September. Mr Phillips ezplained that while in Wellington he and Mr M’Eechnie, having business with the Premier, had seen him in reference to further assistance for continuation of the new hospital and Mr Seddon appeared favourable, and asked that an official application be made.

Besolved that the Chairman and Mr MoOarthV canvass the East Ward, Messrs Smith and Sheedy the Middle, and Messrs Gieseking and Phillips the West Ward for the annual subscriptions. Messrs Gieseking, McCarthy and Smith were appointed Visiting Committee for the month,.and.that they be authorised to get larger grates put in the new building.

The Secretary read a letter asking for £2,000 and showing that there was still owing on the first wing, a sum of £BB3 16s.

Resolved on motion'of Mr Smith that a vote of thanks” be recorded to Messrs Phillips and M’Keohme for their services.

The Treasurer reported receipts since last meeting to have been £42 Is Bd. The overdraft a. the bank stood at £604 11a 4d, and accounts amounting to £356 16s 2d bad to be provided for. As against this the Charitable Aids Board owed £SOO, and general Government £SB 11s 6d. Besolved, on the motion of Mr Petrie, seconded by Mr Phillips; that a letter be sent to the brother of the late Mr Henry Boyett, recognising his brother’s assistance to the institution, and sincerely regretting his death.

The tender of Mr Matheson for the supply of coal was accepted.

The insurance of staff, etc, was held over.

Mr McCarthy brought before the trustees notice that several of the patients were complaining of not receiving their Old Age Pensions till near the end of (be month. ,

It was explained that it often was the middle of the month before all the warrents could be got in. It was ultimately agreed to pay at the commencement of the month, quite irrespective of whether the money was to hand or not. The Visiting Committee reported having certified to the July accounts amounting to £166 15s Bd. During the month 71 patients had been treated/ 17 patients were admitted, 12 discharged, and .5 died. There remained Jn the hospital dt the end of the month 54 patients.. •