HOSPITAL AND CHARITABLE AID BOARD.

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2248, 16 June 1881, Page 3

HOSPITAL AND CHARITABLE AID BOARD.

The ordinary fortnightly meeting of the Hospital and Charitable Aid Board was held yesterday, when there wore present—Mr H. Thomson (chairman), the Mayor of Christchurch, the Mayor of Sydenham, and Mr Hawkes. The Hospital committee reported that during the past fortnight twenty-eight patients were admitted to the hospital and thirty - four discharged, leaving seventy patients in the institution. During the same period there were two deaths. The number of patients in the hospital for the corresponding period of last year was eighty-two. The report was adopted. A report was read from Dr. Wilkins on the case of Wm. Hudson, a patient aged twenty-three years from the Patea County. The report was to the effect that upon examination it was found that Hudson was suffering from general debility, was stone blind in his right eye, and with his left eye ho could only see fingers, &0., when held towards the light. On March 25th, when the patient had sufficiently recovered

hie health, an operation was performed, and an artificial pupil made in the left eye. The result waa a great success, as in the course of a fortnight Hudson could see the time from a watch and could distinguish distant objects well. The diseased portion of the other eye was removed and an artificial eye substituted, “ which acts admirably, and his appearance is much improved and bis eight sufficiently restored to enable him to work for hisliving.” It was resolved to forward a copy of the report to the Patea County Council. A letter was read from the Education Department enclosing a report from Inspector Hostel! on the school department of the Lyttelton Orphanage. The report was of a satisfactory nature. A letter was read from the Sydenham Council asking for information as to the amount expended in relieving residents of that borough for the year ending June 31st, in order to enable the Council to form an opinion as to the effect the new Charitable Institutions Bill would have on the borough. It was resolved to furnish the information desired. An application from the housesurgeon for an increase of salary was_ then considered by the Board. The chairman stated that the salaries given in Dunedin and Wellington were higher than in Christchurch, and he attributed the frequent changes that had taken place here to the smallness of the salary paid. He was in favor of an increase of £SO per annum, and was of opinion that a recommendation to that effect should be sent to the Government. Mr_ Hawkes thought that the fees for vaccination should be given to the house-surgeon instead of to some outside practitioner. That would have the effect of raising his salary to the required amount, and the Government would be freed from the necessity of making an extra allowance. After some discussion, it was resolved that the Board should recommend the Government to increase the salary of the house surgeon by £SO per annum. Mr Hawkes did not vote. He said he did not object to the increase of salary, but he thought it should have been made in the way he suggested. The house steward reported that the hard labour gang had finished the work of preparing ground for an orchard. The bridge to laundry had also been removed, and replaced by a substantial structure. The late gale had severely tried the roofs, which would require overhauling. It would be necessary to form a drain from the front and back of the old buildings to the .entrance gate, owing to the accumulation of water after heavy rains. It was resolved to obtain a complete plan of the system of drainage. The matter of overhauling the roof was referred to the house committee, with power to act. After some discussion, it was resolved to terminate the engagement of the caretaker and matron of the Akaroa Hospital by giving them one month’s notice. This decision was arrived at because there had been some misunderstanding as to the terms of the appointment, and the caretaker and matron had not signified their intention of accepting the terms offered by the Board at a previous meeting. Dr. Macdonald reported that two children in the Orphanage were suffering from acute rheumatism. Some applications for relief were dealt with, and the meeting closed.