CHARITABLE AID BOARD.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 1958, 3 June 1880, Page 3

CHARITABLE AID BOARD.

The ordinary meeting of the Hospital and Charitable Aid Board was held on Wednesday afternoon. There were present —Mr Thomson (chairman), the Mayor of Christchurch and Mr Hawkes.

The secretary road a letter forwarded to the Government announcing the resignation of Mr Booth, embodying the following resolution :—“ That the Board regret to receive the resignation of Mr Geo, Booth, and desire to place on record their appreciation and high opinion of the manner in which he has devoted his time and energies to the service of the institutions under the control of the Board. The Board also regret to lose him as a colleague.” The Hospital committee, in their report, stated that during the past fortnight 29 patients had been admitted into the Hospital and 36 discharged, leaving 82 patients in tho institution. During the same period, five deaths have occurred. The report of the house steward was read as follows : To the Chairman of the Hospital and Charitable Aid Board, Christchurch. Sir, —I have the honor to inform you that during the past fortnight I have pulled down the old No. 3 Ward, and I have also commenced the erection of the shed for the horses and vehicles of the medical staff, utilising the materials from the old ward in its construction. It is my duty to draw your attention to the state of Nos. 4,5, and 6 Wards as regards the windows, more especially those in the latter, the wooden framework of a great many being very much shrunk and twisted, causing great draughts and discomfort. I would suggest, as a remedy for the evil, that a beading of wood, lined with thin indiarubber, he put round each defective window frame, the coat of which would be comparatively trifling. Having as yet been unable to obtain the attendance of the hard labour gang, I have not been in a position to proceed with the work recommended to be done in my report of the 6th ultimo.

The recommendation re windows (in the above) was referred to the Hospital committee, that being the only thing calling for action. The Mayor of Christchurch drew attention to the small attendance at meetings of the Board, owing to the absence of members in Wellington, and non-attendance of others.

Mr Hawkes also remarked that it threw extra work on tho members present, and suggested that the Government should be asked to appoint other members to help them. The Chairman pointed out that tho fate of the Bill prepared re charitable aid would bo decided within the next two months, and they might continue as they were till then. The Mayor suggested that at least tho other two members might bo written to pointing out tho desirability of their fulfilling tho duties of their office. If they could ensure the attendance of Dr. Turnbull and the Mayor of Sydenham they might carry on well enough pending legislation during the present session. After some further discussion tho matter was allowed to drop. An account was presented from Messrs Joynt and Perceval, and ordered to bo paid. A return of patients in the hospital cottage at Akaroa was submitted to the Board, showing that there were now five patients in that institution.

At this stage Dr. Turnbull took his seat. Mr Hawkes drew attention to the necessity of allowing stimulants to the laundry maids and the nurses, the matter having been spoken of to him by the matron. The Chairman said a resolution had been passed in July, 1878, that no stimulants should bo allowed to the hospital servants. Mr Hawkes said anyone looking at the laundry women at work on washing days would be struck with the necessity of allowing them stimulants, and it was only requested on their behalf.

The Chairman pointed out that it was not allowed in the Dunedin institution.

The Mayor of Christchurch admitted that abuses had occurred in the old lime, when the general principle was allowed, but he quite agreed with Mr Hawkes as to the nurses, who had at times to attend very unpleasant cases, that, it was necessary, and also in the case of the laundry women. Dr. Turnbull coincided with the remarks of the last speaker as they applied to the nurses in certain cases, which might be of a sickening character. But there was the principle involved. The Mayor of Christchurch suggested that there would be no great abuse if proper supervision were exercised.

The Chairman said tho surgeon had authority to ordor what he pleased, in the cases of fever, for instance.

Mr Hawkes said the resolution passed during last year was, in his opinion at the time, an arbitrary and uniust proceeding, but he should not have brought this matter forward had it not been brought under his notice by the matron. At this stage it was generally agreed to let the matter stand over for a week, so that in the meantime tho committee could consider it and report. The question of providing charitable relief, in support of which a meeting had been held on Monday, was then referred to, Dr. Turnbull introducing it by remarking that the Hospital records might show whether tho patients had been brought there by impoverished diseases. If that were found to be the case, it would strengthen the position of the Mayor. After looking up tho entry books, the Hospital surgeon was called in, and stated that there were no fever patients at present in the Hospital, and that there had only been about a dozen within tho past two months. In reply to further questions, tho house surgeon gave information as to cases in the Hospital which had been induced by want of proper sustenance.

The orphanage committee reported that a reply had been received from the Government, and that certain improvements they had recommended would be carried out immediately under the direction of the district engineer. The secretary stated that a communication had been received from tho medical officer to the effect that all the patients were doing well.

The following statement was also read in regard to tho inmates : —Boys admitted, 5 ; withdrawn, 3 ; total remaining, 60. Girls admitted, 3 ; withdrawn, 1; total remaining, 43. Total number of inmates in the institution, 103.

A letter was read from Dr. Nedwill, re application made to him for charitable aid, and was referred to the charitable aid committee. The letter has been already published. This concluded the ordinary business before the Board, which, after disposing of some matters of a routine and private character, adjourned.