HOSPITAL AND CHARITABLE AID BOARD.

Globe, Volume XX, Issue 1380, 18 July 1878, Page 3

HOSPITAL AND CHARITABLE AID BOARD.

A meeting of the Board was held last night at 7 o'clock. Present—The Mayor of Christchurch (in the chair), the Mayor of Sydenham, Mr W. Montgomery, Dr. Turnbull, Mr J. E. March. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. The chairman reported that he had received no reply from Government re the Orphanage. He had taken steps for the planting of trees by the labour of some men from the Addington Gaol, and the work would be commenced in a few days. The question of patients guarantees was discussed, and the Board ordered a return to be made of all amounts due to the hospital by ex-patients for the year 1877, and the halfyear ending 30th June, 1878, with a view of taking vigorous measures for their legal recovery. The medical staff of the hospital waited on the Board, and discussed the question of the best method of regulating admission to the hospital. Dr. Turnbull explained tho views of the staff, and recommended the following resolution to the Board : That applicants for admission (not being cases of emergency) able to pay for treatment outside, shall not be admitted, nor receive treatment as out-patients. The resolution was adopted. The question of liability on the part of employers sending their servants or employes %23ffy.iv of sickness or accidents arising out of their employment was discussed, and Mr March offered various suggestions which had occurred to him from a perusal of the Master and Servants' Act. The matter of the appointment of a house surgeon was brought up, tho present acting house surgeon, Mr Pridgeon, having complained of the over-onerous nature of the duties he is at present performing. The remuneration offered for the appointment was compared with the salaries given in tho Wellington and Dunedin hospitals, as an impression prevailed that the salary offered was insufficient to secure the services of a properlyqualified and competent man. Tho salary of the house surgeon at the Wellington hospital is £250 per annum -with board and lodging ; und in Dunedin £','4oo per annum, with board and unfurnished apartments. It was stated that Dr. Powell was endeavoring to secure an efficient medical man in Sydney, and Dr. Turnbull thought that before long circumstances would arise, such as the arrival of an immigrant ship, that would cause the vacancy to be satisfactorily filled up. It was ultimately arranged that the secretary should

write a letter to the hospital staff, pointing out that Mr Pridgeon had stated to the Board that ho is overworked, arid had no spare time, and that the Board was anxious to know what steps have been taken to secure a house surgeon, and whether the staff considered the salary of £2OO sufficient to secure a competent person. The business next proceeded with referred to the resignation of Dr. Coward, as medical officer to the charitable aid department, and the appointment of his successor. The Board accepted the resignation of Dr. Coward, and Dr. Nedwill was appointed to fill the vacant appointment under the same terms that it was held by Dr. Coward. The Board then adjourned.