HOSPITAL TRUSTEES.

Gisborne Times, Volume VIII, Issue 698, 18 December 1902, Page 3

HOSPITAL TRUSTEES.

MONTHLY MEETING.

Tho mouthly mcetiug of tho Hospital Trustees was field last evening, when the following members were present: Messrs J. W. Nolan (in tho chair), Dewing, Macfarlauo, Harding, Johnston, Joyce, Warn, and Tuohy.

COKKESPONDENCE. tors wero rocoived from tho County :il stating that Messrs Nolan, Muce, T".ohy, and Warren had been 'd iirustcos ; from tho Town Clerk 0 that Messrs Johnston aud Joyeo . been appointed; and also from the V'aiupu County Council stating that Mr A. H. Wallis had been appointed trustoo in placo of Mr A. F. Kennedy. On tho motion of Mr Harding, seconded by Mr Macfarlano, it was proposed that tho Trustees placo on record a hearty vote of thanks to Mr Konnedy for his past services to tho Hospital. Tho motion.was warmly supported by soveral of tho trustees, aud on boing put to tho mooting was carried unanimously. VISITING COMMITTEE. Messrs Johnston and Joyeo wero appointed a Visiting Committee for tho ensuing month. MONTHLY KETOKT. monthly report showed that thoro 1 patients remaining from last ino. 27 hud been sinco admittod aud •>0 discharged, leaving 21 romaining at date. FINANCE. The Treasurer reported that tliero was a credit balance of £llii 18s 7d. Tho sum of JEB37 10s had been received during tho mouth, and the disbursements had amounted to .£llsl 18s 7d.

HOSPITAL FEES.

A deputation consisting of Messrs Pile Ambridge, Skeot, and (Jolobouruo waited upon the Trustees by appointment, as ft deputation from United Friendly Socioties Conference, with a view of obtaining concessions in the mattor of foes paid by members of the Societies. Mr File, as leader of the deputation, stated they did not ask for a largo reductian as in tho past, nor did thoy say as to what the amount should be hxud at. They merely asked the Trustees to meet thorn in a fair way, and ullow them a discouut for cash payment, Mr Amoridge followed in tho same strain, and pressed for some slight concession, say 17s tid instead of 20s. One of the objects that tho Conference sought was to obtuiu hospital treatment at a low cost, and for that purpose a special levy was made. The Societies hoped, in the event of tho levy being made, to indueo a numbor of improvident people to join tlio Friendly Societies, and these people in tho future would hot be a taxon the Hospital. It w as admitted that members of Friendly Societies always paid their fees well, but the Societies hoped to bring in those members who uero not so prompt in their payments. The concession was asked in the nature of a discount for cash, A long discussion followed, but memv. rs of the Hospital Board did not fall in with tho views of tho deputation, and for the most part preferred that tho matter should be.postponed so that it might receive caretul and mature consideration. Mr Macfarlano expressed his opposition to it, stating that the Board were not justified in granting tho concession asked for. lie thought members of Friendly Societies were as well able to pay as other people. Tho Chairman said that if they dealt with the matter from a business point of view, ho did not see how they could support it. Mr Joyco advised delay. He did not think that tho Trustees should hastily consider the matter. The Chairman said that there was no hurry for tho Board to arrive at a decision, and they could wait and hear the arguments on both sides. Mr Macfarlano did not believe in putting the matter off. , , Mr Tuoby said that if they voted reduction on tho one hand and increase on tho other, they would find themselves in a aU Mr Raiding thought that the matter would prove a euocesa financially, J-he

Board would be backed up by a large body of Friendly Societies, and this meant the advancement of the institution. The Chairman said that more patients would he received during the y. ur.

Air Warren viewed the matter as a very good one from tho stand punt of the Friendly Societies, but not from that of the Board. Ho did not think the Societies should look for undue concessions from the ratepayers such as they were now asking.

After further discussion, tho matter was postponed until the next meeting of tho Board.