KESTLANU CHARITABLE AIU BOARD.

Hokitika Guardian, 17 May 1917, Page 4

KESTLANU CHARITABLE AIU BOARD.

Wednesday, May 16,

The Bord met ai 5 p.m Prefeot Meiers A. Clifton (Chairman), R. Wild, fl. NormaD, 4. Hu’chison, T. P. Rubers, G. H. Blank, J. Grim" mond, J. J. Breiz l , and T. W. Brace' The minutes were rear*.

Before the urinated were approved Mr Bruize said he understood the levies had bean reiincrd by £IOOO, not tbs estimate? by that amount. Messrs Norman and Black stated they were under the tame impression. Mr said the only reduction the Board resolved on was the conversion of Kumara Hospital to save £IBOO. On this be had moved to redace the estimates by £IOOO It was no rednciDg levies until they pat their fingers on the redaoticn *o be made. It was the estimates that had to be agreed on, the levy-was fixed on what was agreed to. Mr Bruce asked that his amendment which was not seconded, to reduce the levy by £2640, be included in ibe minutes. This was agreed to and the minutes were then agreed to and confirmed and the outward correspondence approved. ELECTION OF CHAIRMAN.

Mr Clifton thanked members for the courteous manner in which he had been treated while Chairman over a period of six years. He thanked them for their assistance at all times. The position was not an exceotiocally good one at present, and be was afraid that the worst had not yet come. There were heavy increased charges, bnt some of them would not be recarring. In connection with the criticism of his action in voting that his report in November be deferred consideration, he had voted to hold the question over feeling that it was inadvisable to make sach a drastic change an was proposed, on a casting vote. He felt the comment in the pub! c press bad tended to injure him as a public mao. Personally he had nothirg against Mr Wild, bnt he thought Mr Wild had gone too far against him (Mr Clifton) as Chairman of the Board. He felt that the Secretary was rot getting more than he deserved and earned. He merely wished to make these explanations before retiring from the chair.

The Secretary (Mr Kennedy) then took the chair and invited nominations. Mr Bruce proposed Mr CliftOD, who declined to Bland feeling that the position demanded more time than he was able to give at present. Mr Breeze nominated Mr Wild. Mr Wild asked that this be not seconded. He moved that Mr Breeze be elected Chairman. —Seconded by Mr Blank. . Messrs Grimmond and Bruce declined nomination.

Mr Breeze was then noaoiraouely elected.

Mr Breeze took the cba'r and thanked members for the honor conferred, stating if he could fill the position as well as Mr Ciiftou had, he would be satisfied. INWARD CORRESPONDENCE. From Treasurer, reporting receipts £1212 6/1, payments £856 18/1, debit balance £1053 14/5.—-Received. Mr Wild said in connection therewith he found that Kumara Borough were twelve months behind in their payments of levy. He moved that the Secretary take steps to recover the amount before June 30th.—Seoonded by Mr Norman. Mr Roberts explained that it was usual for the Kuroara Borough to pay up when the lioense money came in. The motion was agreed to. From Minister of Public Health, Wellington, stating that the appointment of Dr Fleming to Kumara Hospital wes not approved.—Received* The Chairman stated that Dr Fleming’s engagement terminated that day; A quantity of other correspondence on the subject was dealt with. Dr Fleming was present and addressed the Board. After a'lengthy discussion Mr Wild moved that Dr Fleming be paid the salary due less £6O due on an advance made.—Seconded by Mr Clifton and carried. Later in the evening Dr Teiohelmann conferred with the Board and it was resolved to place the patients at Otira and Kumara hospitals under Dr Teiohelmann and that he be authorised to make any necessary arrangements for medical work at tha institutions.

From Totara Committee forwarding £57 17/6 accounts and matron’s raport showing 13 patients, 1 admitted, 3 died, remaining in hospital 11.—Received.

From Otira Committee, forwarding £l7 17/6 receipts and reporting on various matters, —Reoeived. From Minister of Hospitals, Wellington, stating it was at present impossible for either himself or Dr Valintine to visit Hokitika at present in connection with suggested enquiry into cost of upkeep of hospitals, Reoeived. Mr Grimmond moved that a telegram be cent to the Miuisttr stating that the Board had dispensed with the services of Dr Fleming in accordance with their trders, and could not provide ano r her, and that they were now left with one dootor to cover 300 miles of country, and stating that the Beard placed (he onus of any trouble that arose on Department. —Seconded by Mr Wild and carried. Prom D. Yilintiue, We'lington, statirg he would discuss the question of forming an Oid Meu’s Home at Kumara when he vieited the Coast with the Minister. —Reoeived. Prom Minister of Hospitals, Wellington, stating that he future rukr'-tbat one board should charge against another board for maintenance of a patient of 30/ per week and for a home patient of 15/. “Received. Me Bruce moved that agreements bo made in accordance with the letter. —Seconded by Mr Clifton and carried. From Dr Fleming, Kumara, reportjug five calls to Otira during tbc month, and detailiog operations and o'her treatment during month at Q„ira and Kumara. —Received. From W. A. Janveson, Arahura, asking for renewal of milk contract for a further term at the present contract price.—Reived. Mr Blank moved the request be agreed to. Seconded by Mr Wild and carried.

From Westland County Council, referring back estimate's for year, as they were considered far too light, and asking for farther consideration. —Reoeived.

From Nurse MacLactlan, Waikuknpa, resigning her position as diatriot'nnrse in South Westlard to date from May 31.—Reoeived and accepted with regret, From Aud'tor-General, Wellington, asking reason of payment of Secretary’s salary to member of the Committee at Otira.—Received and reply to Secretary approved. From Hon W. Fraser, Minister of Public Works, promising further information re Otira Hospital re a later date. —Received.

From Public Works Department, Otira, asking for information aslo cost of Otira Hospital.—Received. From A. H. Keller, thanking Board for prompt attention to hia request for admission to Cashmere Hills Sanatorium. —Received., From Pablio Trustee, Wellington, promising attention to letter from Board.—Received.

From North Canterbury Board, forwarding cost of boilding shelter at Cashmere Hills Sanatorium.—Received.

From Dr Leathern, report on X r y plant,—Received. From Kumara Committee, forwarding accounts, hospital report and resignations of Matron (Miss Lockhoad) and laundre9fl|(MißS I. M. James); also cheque for £Bl 8/10/ and stating Mr Roberts had been appointed to Committee.—Received. It was resolved to send a letter of appreciation of oast services and sympathy with Mias Backhand in her illness and the hope for her early recovery. Mr Roberts moved that applications be invited for master and matron at Kumara Hospital, at £l5O per annum* —Seoonded by Mr Blank and carried, Messrs Urimmond and Bruce dissenting.

The formal motion to borrow by way of overdraft from the bank, with amendments, was agreed to. From Health Officer, notifying three oases of infectious disease (enteric fever),—-Received and already attended- to, Also a report from Dr Eleanor Baker ou her visit io Hokitika School and action taken. In connection with the above Mr Wild said there had been some press comment on the matter and as he was one of the victims referred to, he felt that the Government were to be complimented on their action in sending around a medioal officer to visit the schools and make a medical examination of the children.

APPOINTMENT OF COMMITTEES, On the motion of Mr Clifton, the previous committees were cancelled ind the following appointed:— Finance—Messrs Clifton, Blank, Brace, Breeie, Grimmond and Wild [Chairman). .

Huuse Messre Blank, Bretze, Normal), Roberta and Hutchison (Chairman). Sign cheques—Messrs Wild, Blank and Cbairma". Benevolent —Messrs Blank, Grimmond ar.d Roberts, . Mr Wild moved tb*t application be made to the Hospital Department for permisa on to obtain supplies for which the Board had no contracts, thiongh the Mental Hoßpual—Secorded by Mr Norman aud carried. KEPORTS. From Surgeon Superintendent Westland Hospital reporting there were 45 patients od Ist April. Admitted during mouth 9 males, 8 females. Total treated 41 males 21 females—64. Discharged cared 3 males, 6 female?, relieved 2 males, 1 female, died 1 male 1 female, Total discharged 6 malee, 8 females —14. in hospital 80. h April, 35 males, 13 females —48. lo hospital for two months 24 males, 5 females—29.— Received.

The Westland Hospital House Committee reported on some alterations to the sleeping apartments of the staff —Received ; referred to Hon.se Committi e. It was resolved to write to the Chairman of the southern district Committee asking for oo?tr.butioDS towards payment of the South nurse. Mr Bruce moved that the Board intimate to the various outlying districts that it was prepared to accept contributions towards a mea;cal fuLd for the piovisicn of a medical officer. Seconded by Mr Wild and carried. The Board rose at 9.30 p.tn.