HOSPITAL AND CHARITABLE AID BOARD.

Globe, Volume XXIV, Issue 2497, 8 April 1882, Page 3

HOSPITAL AND CHARITABLE AID BOARD.

A special meeting of the Hospital and Charitable Aid Board was held on Thursday, at 4 p.m. Present—Hon. E. O. J. Steven* (in the chair), Mr W. Montgomery, and the Mayor of Lyttelton. The Hospital committee reported that during the past fortnight, ending April Ist, 23 patients were admitted into the Hospital and 19 discharged, leaving 69 patients in the institution. During tbe same period three deaths occurred. For the corresponding period of last year 83 patients were in Hospital. At the request of the committee, the District Engineer sent an officer to inspect and report on the necessity of repairing the walls and wood work of the Hospital Hi* report fully confirms the recommendations made at the last meeting by the house steward, Mr Bell. The committee recommend that the work of painting, Ac., be proceeded with as early aa possible. In reply to Mr Montgomery, the Secretary stated that the estimated cost of the painting was ii2os Os lOd. It was decided ts apply to the Government for the necessary authority in the matter of alterations, repairs, &o. A letter from the Colonial Secretary’s office was read in reply, stating that the Hospital committee could print their rules if they thought fit, hut not agreeing to defray cost of same,.

A communication was next read from the secretary of the Wellington Hospital, asking to bo benefited by a report as to statistics, &c., connected with the Christchurch Hospital. The secretary of the Wellington Benevolent Institution also wrote, asking for information as to the manner in which infirm and destitute poor were dealt with in Christchurch.

The secretary was instructed to famish the information in both oases.

The usual returns from the Akaroa Hob* pital and the Casual Ward, Lyttelton, were then read and laid upon the table. A letter was read from the Colonial Secretary's Office, Wellington, stating that in the opinion of the Government the Orphanage was not in such a condition as to require or be much benefited by the acquisition of a training chip, reasons being assigned therefor. The matter wea referred to the orphanage committee.

The Orphanage committee having taken into consideration the reports from the inspector-general of schools and also from Mr Xlestell. the late inspector, find that on the occasion of the examination of the schools by Mr J. P, Bestell. the children were presented for examination in a standard lower than the work they were doing when the inspector-general of schools visited the institution. Under these circumstances the committee do not think it advisable to call for another examination. The committee recommend that this explanation should be nent to Mr Bestell in reply to his letter. The committee have now under their consideration the affairs generally of the institution, and will make certain recommendations at the next meeting. The report was received and adopted. A letter was read from the Government forwarding a letter from the Ashburton county, to the effect that from the 31st March the county and borough intend to administer their own charitable aid. The Hon. the Colonial Secretary inquired if any objection was offered to the proposal. A lengthy memorandum bearing on the subject was then read, stating that an important question was opened up by the proposed asps,ration ; instancing cases of residents of the district in question coming to Christchurch in search of employment and becoming recipients of charitable aid. It. was agreed that the facts adduced should be forwarded to the Colonial Secretary, to acquaint him with the working of the present system. It; w&i reported thst present tee Abu« burton Home contained thirty-three inmates. After some routine business the Board, adjourned,