HOSPITAL AND CHARITABLE AID BOARD.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 1852, 29 January 1880, Page 2

HOSPITAL AND CHARITABLE AID BOARD.

The usual meeting of this Board was held on Wednesday at 4 p.m. Present—Messrs H. Thomson (chairman), Booth, J. E. Brown, and the Mayors of Christchurch and Lyttelton. The Hospital committee reported that there had been thirty-four admissions during the fortnight, twenty-one discharges, and four deaths. A letter was read from the Amalgamated Friendly Societies’ fete committee, enclosing cheque for £5 5s for the Hospital. The secretary was instructed to acknowledge same with thanks. A letter was read from the Government, forwarding copies of the Hospital and Charitable Aid Bill, and asking for any recommendations which the Board might deem necessary. The Secretary reported that he had received a cheque from the Eaikoura County Council for the maintenance of a patient, amounting to £3 4i 6d. A letter was read from Mr Bell, as secretary of the destitute patients relief fund,, asking that some members of the Board should be appointed to co-operate with the staff in managing the fund. On the motion of Mr Booth, the Chair--man and the Mayor of Christchurch were nominated from the Board as members of the committee of management of the destitute patients relief fund. A letter was read from the County Council, Ashburton, asking that the dispenser, Mr Pridgeon, should be allowed to visit the Hospital at Ashburton, for the purpose of giving them the benefit of his advice as tc what was required. The Chairman stated that the dispenser had arranged to visit Ashburton on Friday next,A report was read from the visiting surgeon, to the effect that the prisoner A. J. Tndball, now in the Hospital, was not likely to recover sufficiently to suffer the confinement oC the gaol. It was resolved to forward the report to the Government.

It was resolved that a copy of the resolution of the Board relative to the supply of stimulants to nurses, as follows, be forwarded to the house steward—“ It was ordered that in future all stimulants to the servants should cease, and only bo given as medicine on the order of the house surgeon.” The Mayor of Christchurch inquired how long ago it was that Dr. Turnbull had attended the meetings of the Board ? The Chairman replied that Dr. Turnbull had not attended since Ist October.

The Mayor of Christchurch said that he thought it was very unfair that one gentleman should absent himself from the meetings for a fourth of the year, and thus throw his share of the work on his colleagues. He would move—“ That the attention of Dr. Turnbull be called to the fact that he has not attended a meeting of the Board since Ist October, 1879.” The motion was seconded and agreed to. Mr Booth volunteered to act as visiting member of the Board for the ensuing month. Applications for the post of house surgeon were opened. On the motion of Mr Brown the applications were referred to the medical staff to report upon the medical qualifications of the applicants as early as possible. A letter was read from the Government stating that the District Engineer had been instructed to carry out drainage works at the Orphanage. The master reported that, the children had returned from Quail Island, and were all well. A letter was read from the master of the Old Men’s Home, Ashburton, calling attention

to the fact that Professor Wallenburg had cured the blindness of two of tho inmates of the Home, who had left the home and gone out to work. He therefore suggested that the Board should thank Professor Wallenburg for his kindness to the patients, who otherwise would have remained in the Home. On the motion of tho Mayor of Christchurch, it was resolved that the thanks of the Board be given to Professor Wallenburg for his kindness in gratuitously treating two of the inmates of tho Home. The Board then adjourned.