GREY RIVER HOSPITAL.

Grey River Argus, Volume XV, Issue 1855, 16 July 1874, Page 2

GREY RIVER HOSPITAL.

The annual meeting of the subscribers to the funds of the above institution was held at Gilmer's Hotel last evening. Moat of the leading men of town was present, although the attendance were not as numerous as the occasion and object of the meeting would seem to warrant; but, as was remarked, this may be accounted for by the fact that the public and the subscribers have such confidence in the gentlemen who devote so much time, and take such an interest in the management of the charity, that it is considered the affairs of the Hospital are in good hands. The practice adopted by the Committee of issuing the Annual Report of the Committee, in the form of a phamplet, for gratuitous distribution, also, nodoubt,had something to do with the absence of a large number of those who are chiefly concerned in having a proper supervision exercised over the institution and its revenues; for, by means of this published report, the' position of the Hospital can be seen at a glance. The chair was taken by Mr David Lundon. The Hon. Secretary to the Committee read the minutes of the last annual meeting held on 16th July, 18?3. The minutes were confirmed. The Hon, Secretary at the request of the Chairman then read the Committee's report, which was as follows : — The Committee of Management of the Grey River Hospital have much pleasure in laying before the subscribers and the public their report for the past year. The total number of patients treated during the year has been 715, of whom 223 were in-door patients, and 492 out-patients. The above numbers include 18 female patients. The financial condition of the hospital, as '. will be seen by the Hou. Treasurer's report, is everything that could be desired, there being a fair balance in hand wherewith to begin the present twelve months. ThiS| the

Committe tbink, is due in a great measure to the energy of the local committees in the outlying districts, the contributions forwarded by them this year being especially large. The Committee haye, however, received nothing from the Ahaura or Totara Flat districts, except the proceeds of the sale of a watch l>y art-union, which was given by Mrs M' eil. of Totara Flat. The Committee aesire to testify to the continued care and skill of Dr Morice, and to the careful supervision exercised by Mr Hugg, the superintendent. Mrs Quinlan, the matron of the female ward, has. also given every satisfaction in the discharge of her duties. The office of Honorary Treasurer has been held (as for many years past) by G. King, Esq., and J. Arnott, Esq., has acted as Hon. Secretary, and at no time have the duties been more efficiently performed. The increase shewn in the amount of the public subscriptions is partly owing to the fact that the town subscriptions for 1873 (L 430 13s Id) are included in the present statement, as well as those for the current year, the town collections for last year not having been made till July. The same remark applies to many of the country districts. The Committee desire again to record the fact that no lease of the land occupied by the Hospital building and grounds has been obtained from the Native Commissioner, although, in accordance with the suggestion made in the report of their predecessors, application has been made to the Commissioner to grant the same. In conclusion, the Committee desire to congratulate the subscribers on the present prosperous condition of the Hospital, and to express their hope that every succeeding report may be a record of increased prosperity as to the institution, and of increased usefulness on its part to those who may unhappily need its aid. The Hon. Treasurer read his report, at the conclusion of which there were expressions of satisfaction and agreeable surprise at the large balance in hand, and at the flourishing financial condition of the institution. Subjoined ia the Treasurer's report. Treasurer's Abstract of Receipt 3 and Disbursements on account of the'GREV River Hospital, for the year ending 30th June, 1874. Dr. To voluntary contributions, viz : — Town subscriptions and do- £ s. d. nations ..-. 430 13 1 Maori Gully Local Committee 167 11 0 Paroa do 50 11 6 Maraden do 144 5 6 Maori Creek do 163 9 0 No Town do 126 11 6 Half-Ounce do 179 19 0 Nelson Creek do 121 0 6 Tofcara Flat do 26 13 6 Callaghan's Creek do ... 10 10 0 Other country subscriptions 31 15 7 Red Jack's Benefit Society 26 10 9 Proceeds of Art-Union of watch, given by Mrs M 'Neil, Totara Flat ... 36 12 0 Public entertainments ... 24 7 9 Payments by patients ... 66 5 6 £1606 16 2 To Insurance Companies, for damage done by fire ... 8 0 0 Sale of garden produce ... 17 0 To subsidies — Nelson Government, twelve months 938 4 4 Westland do, eleven do ... 771 15 2 Balance on Ist July, 1873 40 18 7 £3367 1 3 Or. By amount paid for — £ s. d. Salaries and wanes 868 15 1 Druga aud surgical instruments 160 4 7 Meat 295 16 9 Bread ... 67 8 0 Groceries 367 13 9 Wine, spirits, and beer ... 137 8 5 Drapery, clothing, and blankets 132 15 6 Mattrasses and pillows ... 21 7 0 Liyht and fuel 92 6 10 Ironmongery ... 95 17 7 Milk 118 17 2 Garden seeds 2 3 6 Printing and advertising ... 71 16 . Stationery ... .. .. 6 10 6 Crockery ware 5 2 6 New buildings and repairs... 119 18 2 'Furniture and fittings ... 3S 12 5 Tinsmith's work 22 4 0 Washing 18 7 6 Labor, carting, &c 17 19 0 Burials 17 17 0 Insurance 26 0 0 Sundries 18 0 4 £2722 7 1 Balance in Bank of New South Wales, on 30th June, 1874 644 14 2 £3367 1 3 Gilbert King, Hon. Treasurer. Greymouth, Ist July, 1874. We certify that we have examined the books, vonchers, &c, and find the same correct ; and that, on 30th June, the sum of £644 14s 2d was standing to the credit in the Hank of New South Wales. James Kirtox, ) A „. JH.A.LYELL,| Audlfcors '

Statement of the Financial Position of the Grey River Hospital on the 30th June, 1874. ASSETS. £ s. d. Westland Government, subsidy for April ... 76 15 8 Do. do. for May ... 77 7 4 Do. do. for June .. 79 10 4 Nelson Government subsidy for June 75 17 3 Balance in Bank of New South Wales ... 644 14 2 £954 4 9 LIABILITIES. £ S. d. June accounts unpaid ... ... 233 1 6 Surplus of assets over liabilities 721 3 3 £954 4 9 Gilbert King, Hon. Treasurer. Grey mouth, Ist July, 1874. Mr John Greenwood read The Surgeon's report which showed that the number of patients in the Hospital on the Ist J uly, 18^3, was 30, and these, with 193 admitted during the year, make a total treated of 223. There were 492 outpatients treated, thus bringing the number to whom the benefits of the institution were extended up to 715. There were discharged cured or relieved 169 males and 14 females ; 9 patients died, and there were 31 remaining in the hospital on the 30th June. The largest number of patients in the hospital at one time was during the month of April, 1874, and the lowest in August, 3873, the numbers being 33 and 19 respectively. The largest number of admisions was 21, in the month of July, .1873, and the lowest in June, 1874— namely, 13. Of

these admissions, 121 were from Westland and 102 from Nelson. The average cost was 4s B|d per day, and the average stay of each patient in the Hospital was 49^ days. The report gives in detail the nationalities'of the patients, their religious persuasions, and other occupations Referring to the latter, 121 (or more than half of those admitted) were miners ; but the return includes persons of about forty different callings. The greatest number of patients were between 25 to 35, those between 35 and 45 being next, while 1 wa3 under 15, and 5 above 55 years. The number of patients treated during the year, ending June, 1874, is less than last year by 29. The average yearly cost of each patient is greater, partly in consequence of there being fewer admittances, many of the beds beinsr occupied by old chronic cases more fitted for a benevolent asylum than for an Hospital, and partly in consequence of the extra expense of the female ward. The average daily cost of each patient is less than last year by about two pence. On the motion of Mr D. Girdwood, seconded by Mr J. F. Mvßeath, the several reports were adopted as read. The resolution was carried unanimously. Mr James Kerr, in rising to propose a vote of thanks to the retiring committee, said he had the same pleasurable duty to perform last year, when the retiring committee brought up their reports and resigned office. The satisfactory condition of the institution and its funds, was mainly attributable to the disinterested exertions of the Central Committee — first, by constantly urging upon the district sub-committees the claims of the Hospital, and the necessity of using every effort to collect funds ; and secondly, by the active and vioilaut supervision kept over the expenditure and the internal management of the Institution. He had much pleasure in proposing a cordial vote of thanks to the members of the retiring committee, for their untiring exertions on behalf of the Hospital for the last twelve months. Mr F. Kent seconded the motion, which was carried unanimously. The Hon. Secretary stated that the number of meeetings held by the Committee during the year has been 26, and the attendance of the members of the Committee has been as follows :— H. Kenrick, 24; J. Arnott, 24; F. Hamilton, 24 ;G. King, 21 ; D. Maclean, 20 ; H. Newton, 17; W. S. Smith, 16; W. H. Re veil, 13; E. Masters, 13; S. Gilmer, 13 ; J. Kilgour, 13 ; J. Greenwood, 12 ; M. Kennedy, 11 ; R. C. Reid, 9 ; J. Hamilton, 6; C. Whitefoord, 3. Mr Jas. Hamilton resigned office on July 30, and was re-elected on the resignation uf Mr R. C. Reid on March 11; Mr J. Kilgour was elected on July 30, in the place of J. Hamilton, resigned. Mr E. Masters proposed a vote of thanks to the local sub-committees, through whose instrumentality and efforts the munificent donations received from the country districts this year were obtained. Mr Gilbert King seconded the resolution, which was carried nem. con The Mayor of Greymouth moved, that the thanks of the meeting, on behalf of the subscribers, be given to Dr Morice, the Surgeon, and Mr Superintendent Rugg, and their officers. — The motion was carried nnanimonsly. The meeting then proceeded to nominate a Committee of Management for the ensuing twelve months ; and the following gentlemen were duly proposed and seconded :— G. Kinsr, J. Arnott, H. Kenrick, F. Hamilton, D. Maclean, H. Newton, W. S. Smith, E. Masters, S. Gilmer, J. Kilgour, J. Greenwood, M. Kennedy, J. Hamilton, D. Sheedy, G. Glenn, J. Barklay, W. F. Strike, D. Lundon, J. Kirton, G. C. Bowman, J. Cavanagh, R. Nancarrow, E. Wickes, J. Wilson. Several other gentlemen, were nominated, but they withdrew their' names. These nominations exceeding the nu m ber reg uired to for m the Com mittee according to the bye-laws, a poll becomes necessary, and it was carried that the election should take place by ballot on Saturday, 18th inst , at Gilmer's Hotel. After making arrangements for conducting the election, and passing a vote of thanks to the Chairman, the proceedings terminated.