WESTLAND CHARITABLE AID BOARD.

Hokitika Guardian, 17 January 1917, Page 4

WESTLAND CHARITABLE AID BOARD.

Tuesday, Jan 16. The Board met at 7.30 p.m, Present—Messrs A. Clifton (Chairman), R. Wild, T. W. Bruoe, A. Hutohiion, J. Grimmond,, J. A. Murdoch, H. Norman, A. H. Riohards and F. McGregor. The minutes of previous meeting were read aud confirmed and outward correspondence road and approved. MOTION OF SYMPATHY,

The Chairman referred in feeling terms to the death of Dr Maoandrew and moved that the Board place on record its deep sense of loss at his death and convey to the widow and relatives Us deepait sympathy in their bereavement Supported by members jn feeliDg terms and carried in silente. ' v MEDICAL APPOINTMENTS. A deputation from the Kumara Hospital consisting of Messrs Richards, McGlonp, Evenden and Rouse (Secretary) waited on the Board on the matter of medical appointments. ' Mr McGlone said the Committee had come down ao they understood a doctor for Kumsra was to be appointed that night, and it was understood a suggestion had been made tha’ he reside in Hokitika and they wished to raise an objection thereto. The Cha’rman said nothing had been decided so far. Mr McGlone continued that it was very necessary for the doctor to reside at Kumars, Mr Evenden supported the necessity of a medical officer residing in the town, urging tliß best consideration of the Board to their desire. Mr Richards supported the previous speakers in their request for the doctor to be resident ia the town. Mr Rouse also supported the request. The Chairman said that the special Committee set up had two proposals before them, one for the doctor to live in Hokitika and attend to Kumara aud Ross from here and secondly for one to live at Kumara, and go to Otira, These had been left over for the Board to decide. Personally ho felt thero was an ab?olute necessity for a doctor to live in Katmra. He would move tbet Dr Fleming be offered the position of medioat officer

fttjKumara at £3OO per year with £lO per vißit to Otira and £6 6/ per visit to Hokitika, hie own conveyance to be provided by the doctor, residence to be at Kumara. Dr Fleming was present aud expressed the opinion that ho could do jnstice to both Kumara aud Ross by taking up h : a residence in Hokitika. Mr Murdoch recouped the motion. Ho felt that the Board bad only one course to follow and that was to have the medical effiosr reside at Kumara. Mr Bruoe would not favor support to any proposal without tho officer resided in the town he was selected for.

Mr Wild mentioned one of the difficulties of the Board was that in the last four mouths there had been 63 major operations in the town, while for 12 mouths at Kumara, Ross and Otira there were not more than two, while for one month at Kumara £260 waa paid the medical officer. He would support the appointment for three months. This was added to the motion. Mr MoGregor opposed the motion. He thought the two places could be worked from Hokitika. Ha waa opposed to the appointment as proposed. In answer to Mr Grimmond, the Chairman stated that no applications had baen received for the position at Ross. Mr Grimmond said that until a doctor was secured for Ross he would oppose an appointment to Kumara. He would favour a dual appointment, until a dootor was seemed for Ross. Mr McGregor moved an amendment that the appointment be made for Ross and Kumara combined. Seconded by Mr Norman.

The amendment was put and lest. The motion was then agreed to. Ayes—Messrs Wild, Brace, Richards, Murdoch, Hutchison aud Chairman, Nobs —Messrs McGregor, Norman and Grimmond. Mr Wild then moved that a subcommittee consisting of Messrs Grimmond, Bruce, Murdoch and Chairman be appointed to interview Dr Teichelmann with power to arrange for attention to Ross and southern district, and to arrange with Totara Hospital. Seconded by Mr Bruca and agreed to after discussion. A vote of thanks was passed to the Kumara deputation.

INWARD CORRESPONDENCE. From District Health Officer re infectious diseases among soldiers.— Received. \ From Westland County Council, notifying election of Mr J. Grimmond as a representative on the Board vice Mr F. D. Baucke deceased.—Received. The Chairman welcomed Mr Grimmond to the Board table. From Otira Committee, forwarding vouchers etc. —Received. From Chief Postmaster, Hokitika, reporting application for telephone at Gibbs had gone forward to the head office. —Received. From Dr Edie, Kumara, in refers ence to application for increase of salary and tendering resignation as medical officer. A later telegram stated that he had been accepted for active service and asking to ba re' lieved as early as possible.— Received, and resignation accepted, on the motion of the Chairman. Sora9 discussion took place as to the abienoe of Dr Edie from Kumara. From Hokitika Borough Council, conveying approval of the report of the Chairman of the Board for proposed retrenchments—Received, From District Nurse Maclaobfim, in connection with several requirements. —Received. From Wellington Board re Hospitals Conference, —Reoeived. From Sister M. Gillespie, thanking Board for appointment.—Received. The Secretary stated the Matron had taken up her dudes at Otin, From Dr Clayton, stating he would be able to conlinne his office till 31st January,—Reeeived.

From Inspector-General of Hospitals, Wellington, acknowledging letter re oondiiiocs at Otira Hospital which would be placed before the Minister. A further letter stated that the Minister .of Public Health would object to the closing of Otira Hospital.—Received. From D. J. Evans, Coroner, conveying complaints by police and others at the absence of a morgue in Hokitika, and asking that the attention of the Borough Council be drawn to the necessity of a morgue being erected.—Received. —Mr McGregor said he bad been authorised by the Council to arrange for a site. From Wellington Board, asking support of remit at conference.—Received. From Canterbury Board, forwarding particulars of patient in sanatorium.—Received. From Dr Chesaon, Ohristcburob, in connection with treatment given a returned soldier. —Received and attended to. From Dr Childs, Christchurch, in connection with claim in dispate against the Board.—Received ; a reply to be sent that the Board declined to reoogmse the olaim. From Rev P. B. Fraser, askffig for an iperease in the allowance made to an indigent person.—Received. An increase of £2 per month was granted, subject to conditions. From Kara \ a Committee, forwarding tenders for supplies accepted, accounts £l9 8/11 and receipts £32 1/5,— Rwiivsel,

i From Totara Committee, approv- ’ ing of Dr Clayton being released > when a successor wB3 appointed and • enclosing accounts £SO 14/1 ; taking objection.to the Chairman’s report re- - Gommendiug the closing of Totara i Hospital and disapproving of the pro* r posal to reduce the allowance of the • old age pensioners.—Received and referred to sub-Corauiirlea. . From Otira Committee, reporting > on vatioas matters affecting the boai pital.—Received. From Dr'V&lintine, Wellington, re arranging for maternity treatment.— Received. It was resolved that trie medical officers be asked to iuolude instruction to nurses to enable them to obtain midwifery certificates, and the Minister be informed accordingly and that the Board will provide accomodation and facilities for Bame when thß Government assists. A motion by Mr Bruce that the Board adjourn till next morning was lost. Consideration of the Chairman’s retrenchment report was adjourned till next meeting. The Secretary (Mr Kennedy) granted leave of absence for two weeks. A vote of thanks was passed to Dr Fleming for his attendance and information;

REPORTS. From Treasurer, reporting receipts £BOS 10/2, payments £679 4/11, debit balance £1,791 3/7.—Received. From Surgeon Superintendent, Westland Hospital, reporting on Ist December there were 48 patients in hospital. Admitted duriog December 13 meles, 8 females. Total treated 45 males, 19 females —64 Discharged cuoed 12 males, 5 females ; relieved 1 male, 2 females; died 1 male, 2 famßlas. Total discharged 14 malest 9 females— 23. In hospital on 3lßt December 31 males 10 femahs— 4l, In hospital for two months 21 males, 4 females— 2s. —Received. From Surgeon Superintendent, Kumara Hospital, reporting on Ist December there were 31 patients. Admitted 4. Total treated 35. Died 1, discharged 5, remaining oa 31st December 29. —Received.

From Surgeon Superintendent, Totara Hospital, reporting on Ist December there were 15 patients. Admitted during Dioambar 2, died 1, remaining on 31st December 16. From Westland Hospital Committee, reporting conditions were satisfactory, recommending a number of requirements, including a new steriliser, and stating Nursa Hamilton had taken up her duties.—Ricaivei and agreed to. From Finance Committee, recommending payment of accounts amounting to £396 14/.—Reoeived and adopted. The Board roso at 10.30 p.m.