HOSPITAL AND CHARITABLE AID BOARD.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 2126, 16 December 1880, Page 3

HOSPITAL AND CHARITABLE AID BOARD.

The ordinary meeting of this Board was held on Wednesday afternoon at four o’clock. Present —Mr Thomson (chairman), the Mayor of Sydenham, Dr. Turnbull, and Mr Hawkes. Correspondence with tho Government was read in reference to a complaint by the Hospital staff as to the action of the coroner in connection with a recent post mortem examination. The Secretary stated that a copy of the letter from the Minister of Justioe had been forwarded to the mediool staff. The Board resolved to defer consideration of the matter till hearing further from tho medical staff. A letter was read in reference to the oharitable aid question, addressed by the Government by the secretary of this Board, as follows: Colonial Secretary’s Office, Wellington, December 10th, 1880. Sir, —I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of yonr letter of the 6th inst., forwarding returns showing the number of women receiving relief in the district who have been deserted by their husbands, and also the number of children in each family, at the same time conveying the opinion of the Board that the Government should confer with the Governments of the Australian colonies with a view of making some satisfactory arrangements by which a deserter could be errested and brought back to New Zealand. In reply, lam directed to inform you that the Government have bean in correspondence with the Australian Governments on the subject, and have had the matter under their serious consideration ; but there are difficulties in the way which prevent an immediate arrangement. The question however shall not be lost sight of. 1 have, Ac., Q. S. Coopeb. J. E.March, Esq. The letter was received, and allowed to lie on the table. In reference to a letter from Mr P. Hill, that his brother be readmitted to the Hospital, the Board decided to obtain further information before replying. A letter from the traffic manager of the railway was read, consenting to tho free conveyanoe of children from the Orphanage to Christchurch, to visit the circus. Some oases of charitable aid were then considered and dealt with. Mr Hawkes wished to bring up a matter touching rules with regard to the position of salients. He found, in consultation with the ionse surgeon, that complications arose in consequence of persons remaining in tho Hospital a length of time beyond what was absolutely necessary. In some of the institutions in England patients were not allowed to remain in the Hospital for more than one month, unless there were special circumstances to warrant it. He thought if a rule were made hero of a similar character, the result would prove eminently satisfactory. He moved—“ That the limit of residence for patients in the Hospital be ona month, unless a special certificate from the attending physician be given, such certificate to be renewed, if necessary, from time to time.” Mr Brown seconded tho motion, which was carried unanimously. The Chairman read a letter from Dr. Anderson, tendering his resignation on the Hospital staff, giving as his reason that be could not act with tho staff as constituted, in view of the report of tho Royal Commission. It was decided not to appoint any one to fill the vacancy thus created till after the Board has considered Dr, Skae’s report, and Wednesday next was agreed upon for that purpose. The Board then adjourned.