HOSPITAL AND CHARITABLE AID BOARD.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 1887, 11 March 1880, Page 3

HOSPITAL AND CHARITABLE AID BOARD.

Wbdnbsday, Mabch 10. The usual fortnightly meeting of the above Board was held at 4 p.m. Present—Mr H. Thomson (chairman), the Mayor of Sydenham, the Mayor of Ohristchurcb, Messrs Booth, Montgomery, and Hawkee. A letter was read from the Government, informing the Board that Dr. Skey had been appointed as inspector of the hospitals of the colony, and requesting the Board to afford Dr. Skey every assistance, to enable him to frame a report upon the hospitals, &c, under their charge. The hospital committee reported that during the past fortnight thirty-five palients had been admitted into tho Hospital and twentynine discharged, leaving eighty-three patients in the institution. During the same period there were seven deaths. The repairs to the woodwork of the tanks and laundry were complete, and the painting of the same, to gether with that of the laundry, &0., would be procoeded with at once. A letter was read from the House Surgeon, Btating that Mrs Miller, who was a pa tient in the hospital suffering from a painful disease, required to get to Melbourne, where her friends would receive her aud take charge of her. The Mayor of Christchurch mentioned that a subscription liet was in circulation for defraying tho cost of Mrs Miller's passage to Melbourne. A letter was read from the Department of Justice, acknowledging the receipt of a letter from the Board, forwarding a complaint relative to the Coroner, and stating that Mr Hall was of opinion that the matter had now better be allowed to drop. A letter was read from the House Surgeon, relative to two cases which he thought ought to be treated as out patients, but as they had no friends ho was at a loss to know what to do. The letter was referred to the Hospital committee.

A letter was read from the House Surgeon, acknowledging the receipt of a letter noting the appointment of Miss Esmond as matron and Mr Hawkes as dispenser. A letter was read from Mr S. O. Phillips, chief gaoler, pointing out that no report hud been received recently as to the state of health of Amos J. Tudball, a prisoner, who had been removed from the gaol to the Hospital, and asking whether his detention in the Hospital was acting prejudicially on his health. It was resolved that the medical Btaff report on the cbbo for the information of the chief gaoler. A letter was read from the same, stating that a prisoner named Gilbert, undergoing n sentence of fourteen days, required hospital treatment, as his case required a surgical operation. The certificate of the medical officer of the gaol and the visiting Juslico were forwarded with the letter. It was resolved that Gilbert bo received into the Hospital, the Government paying the cost of his maintenance. A letter was read from Mr and Mrs Maddison tendering their resignations as master and matron of the Ashburton Homo, they having been appointed to the Industrial School at Burnham. A lettor was read from Mr J. E. March, recommending Mr and Mrs Harriß, who had been in charge of the Ripa Island station, for the vacant potts at Ashburton. It was resolved that Mr arid Mrs Harris be appointed to take office on Ist April. A'lotter was read from G. Cunningham, an inmate of the Ashburton Home, asking the Board to pay his passage to Melbourne. Mr Montgomery did not think it would be fair to place a burthen on another community. The Chairman pointed out that tho applicant etated in his letter that he had been sent 1 from Melbourne to New Zealand.

Mr Montgomery suggested that it would be as well to ascertain whether the applicant was sent to New Zealand by any public body. It was resolved to make enquiries as to how the applicant came to New Zealand. A report was read from the master of the Ashburton Home, stating that there were 31 inmates in the Home.

Tenders for the supply of medioines to the Ashburton Home were opened, and that of Mr Cambridge acceptod. The return of the number of inmates in the Orphanage for the month of February was read. The number of boys on the books January 31st was 58; admitted, 2; total, boys, 60. Girls Number on books at January 31st, 40 ; admitted since, 2 ; total, 42 girls. Total in the institution, 102. The master reported that Dr. Ovenden, of Kaiapoi, had sent two cases of pears for the children of the institution.

Mr Booth moved—" That Messrs Hawkes and Montgomery, with the chairman and the mover, be a committee to report on the Charitable Aid Draft Bill, as requested by the Colonial Secretary, to report as early as possible." The Mayor of Ohristchurch seconded the motion, which was agreed to. Mr Hawkes moved—" That this Board desires to place on record its high appreciation of the valuable Bervices rendered by Mr Fridgeon during a long period, both as dispenser and acting house surgeon." The Mayor of Ohristchurch seconded the motion, whioh was carried unanimously. The Board then adjourned.