WESTLAND HOSPITALS AND CHARITABLE AID BOARD.

Hokitika Guardian, 21 November 1917, Page 4

WESTLAND HOSPITALS AND CHARITABLE AID BOARD.

TUESDAY, Nov. 20tli. Tlie Board met at 7.30 p.m. Prosent:—Messrs «1. J. Breeze (chairman) J. Cameron, (J. H. Blank, 0. Davidson, R. Roberts, H. Norman, L. Morel, 11. Williams and J. A. Murdoel). A WELCOME. The Chairman (jktoiuloil a welcome to the new members, expressing the hope that they would all work harmoniously together for the general good. Messrs ' Williams, Cameron, Davidson, and Morel replied piomising tlieir best assistance to advance the best- interests of the Board and district

Air. Murdoch then took his soa^

The Chairman extended a welcome to the table to Mr. Murdoch. He also moved a vote of thanks to the retiring members Messrs Clifton, Hutchison and Wild, and that a letter of thanks for past services be forwarded tb them. He paid a tribute to the excellent services rendered during their term of office.

Mr. Williams seconded the motion. As a new member, he could hardly appreciate all the work they have done, though he recognised their lengthy ser-

The motion was agreed to. Mr. Murdoch thanked the Chairman for his welcome. He could look hack confidently on the work done in the past, and he endorsed the remark that the retiring members had done their best. Great difficulties have had to be overtaken in the past. He desired to contradict a statement that some members had retired because they wanted to escape the coming storm. That was not so. They did .not leave the Board because trouble was coming. He associated himself with the Chairman in his remarks to the services of the .retiring members, particularly the reference to Mr. Clifton, for bis long and faithful service and in a' lesser degree to Mr. Wild and the other gentlemen, who had done excellent services, which deserved and he thought would receive the approbation of the district.

THE MINUTES. The' minutes were read and confirmed and outward correspondence approved. INWARD CORRESPONDENCE.

From D. J. Evans, County Returning Officer notifying election of Messrs Cameron, Davidson,’ Norinjin, Morel, Williams and Murdoch to represent the Westland County on the Board.—Received.

| From Treasurer reporting receipts £1713 Is Sc! ; payments £1,122 9s 2d bank debit balance £602 11s odd. outstanding cheques £6so.—Received.

I In reply to Mr. Wil!iam s as to the .indebtedness of Kumara Borough, the Secretary stated on 31st October, Kumara Borough owed £35 10s 6d, four months levy. Ross was usually in credit. A short discussion ensued as to financial matters, and the usual course of laying the business before the Board, the secretary explaining the procedure for tl le benefit of new members. From To tarn Committee enclosing accounts £2l 11s 2d and receipts ..£lB 3s 2d; stating the housemaid (.Miss Hende) wa s 'incapacitated as the result of a severe scalding; thanking Board for courtesy shown during his term as secretary of the Committee— Received.

i’roin Master Totara Hospital, reporting patients on Ist Oct totalled 11, admitted 2, died 1, discharged 1; remaining on 31st Oct. 11.—Received.

From J. ,Grimmond| .Ross, recommending’ that an endeavour be made to retain the services of Mr. Peebles as secretary of the Committee. —Received.

From District Health Officer, Christchurch asking for particulars as to shortage of lint etc.'—Received. Fromm Matron, Westland Hospital asking for a new meat safe, and asking assistance during temporary disable ment of the wnrdsman.—-Received; referred to incoming House Committee. From IV E. Phillips, Master Kumara Hospital forwarding £lO 2s fid, and referring to a number of details of institution.—Received.

From Mrs Pereiva'l, District Nurse South Westland, report on operations during month. Deceived.—lt was resolved to make no charge on a soldier’s wife, who had received treatment. It wa s resolved to pay travelling expenses to Westland incurred, subject to the nurse staying twelve months in position. From OtirA Committee enclosing accounts and hospital returns.—Received. From It. Wild, stating as the adjustment of representation entails a retirement of one. Borough representative, he resigned his position on the Board.— Deceived.

From F. Tlenham, forwarding £2 towards settlement of his account for maintenance.—Received and accepted in settlement.

From lnangahua Board stating they were not liable for maintenance of arecipient of aid in Hokitika and giving particulars of residence in lnangahua district.—Received. ,

The action of the Chairman was approved, the secretary to continue to make enquiries.

From A. P. Hondo withdrawing application for positoin of Secretary.—Received.

From Sisters, Magdalen Home, acknowledging receipt of £OB towards maintenance of indigent children.—Deceived.

From Chief Postmaster, Hokitika stating a reply to Boards application for telephone communication from Boss and Kumara and Dr. Teichelmann after hours would he given is due course. —Deceived.

Froim Miss McLean, Inspector of Hospitals asking particulars as to the appointment of District Nurse.—Received and replied to. From Police officer, Doss, reporting on position of applicant for aid.—Deceived; £1 per month was granted.

Two notifications of infectious disease were received; already attended to. From Otira Committee re obtaining admission of a patient to a sanitorium —Deceived; the Secretary reported action taken. From Dr. E. Teichelmann (letter read at last meeting and deferred for consideration by the Now Board.) —Received Mr. Norman moved that no action be taken until 31st. Marcn, Seconded by Mr. Blank and carried after a general discussion on the subject.

THE SECRETARYSHIP. Applications for the position of Secretary were opened from the following:— John E. Dawson, Hokitika. Thomas W. Bruce, Ross. John Peake, 'Wellington. The applications were reduced bv ballot to two, tho'voting being ns tollows: Bruce 0. Dawson 6. Peake 3. Tlie final resulted ns follows: Bruce 9. Dawson 0. Mr. Bruce was therefore declared tin I v elected to the position. REPORTS.

From Surgeon Superintendent Westland Hospital reportin£ patients on 30 September was 38. Admitted during October 9 males, 10 females—s 7. Discharged cured 9 males, 3 females, relieved’2 males, 3 females; died 2 males, 2 females. Total discharged 13 males, 8 females—2l. .In hospital 31st. October 24 males, 12 females—36. In hospital for two months 15 males 5 females—2o—Received. OH/AIRMAN’S REPORT.

Gentlemen, —I have the honor to report on the financial position of tlie' Board as on the 31st of October last.

At the beginning of the present, year ive commenced with a deficit of £1950 carried forward from the previous year, and to carry on the estimated expenditure for the current year the sum of £11,620 was fixed by your Board. Against this expenditure we had the estimated revenue over all our Institutions amounting to £4,221,and the balance, viz., £7,399 was apportioned as follows : —By levies on Contributory Local Bodies £3,771, Government subsidies on same at 19/3 in the pound, £3,628. Up till October 31st last the amonnt expended over all our institutions amounted to £B,4'>7, and the amount of revenue received £7,062, leaving a deficit of £1,345. The deficit, showing on the seven months transactions is some £530 more than it should be if the Bonrd is to reach the end of its financial year without a deficit. If the expenditure and receipts continue to average the same for - the next five months there will be on the 31st of March next a deficit of £9lO.

The position of our various institutions are briefly as follows : -- Westland Hospital.—Tlie expenditure on this institution for the past seveu months amounts to £3,040

compared with £2,675 for the corresponding period for the previous year which averages an increase of £32 per month. The reason of this increase is apparently the increased cost, of supplies especially drugs, dressings, etc., which in many cases have increased over 300 per cent. However as this hospital is now treating the whole of the medical and surgical cases of our district the amount of drugs, etc. used must necessarily increase. The revenue derived from this institution remains the same as for the previous year, viz., an average of £132 per month. Kumara Old People’s Home. This institution is now used 'entirely for the accommodation of chronic eases and for the three months it has been used exclusively as an Old People’s Home the cost of maintainance is £454 compared with £763 for the same period last year. There is ample room in this institution for all the old people of our district requiring only the accommodation of a home, and as the * present staff could deal with a much larger number cf patients I would respectfully advise the Board to utilise the home to its 1 fullest capacity. The revenue from this institution also shows a slight increase compared with the previous year, and 1 am of opinion that the increase will be maintained throughout the remainder ot the year. Altogether the change effected in this institution is giving complete satisfaction and might be improved if tlie Board sees fit to use it to its fullest accommodation.

Totara Hospital.—This hospital is treating an average of eleven old age pensioners who could all be accommodated in the Kumara Home at considerably less expense to the Board. The cost of this institution for the year will be about £6BO, and the revenue £3BO, leaving the Board to find the sum of £3OO. There does not seem any x’eason for keeping this hospital .open for the treatment of cases who could all be accommodated at Kumara and the Board would be wise in considering seriously whether the result justifies the expenditure over the Totara Hospital.

Otira Hospital : —This hospital calls for no comment, it being practically self-supporting. The cost for maintenance for the past seven months is £4lO and the amount of revenue received £460. This includes the Public Works Department's subsidy amounting for that period to £75. Charitable Aid and Indigent Children : This branch of the Board’s administration is practically a direct charge on the ratepayer, there being rarely any chance of recoveiy from the people assisted. The cost to the Board will be, Charitable Aid grants say £620, and Industrial Schools and indigent children £l5O. All these cases receiving assistance have been very lately reviewed by the Board and in some few cases slight reductions were made in the grants, but most of the cases were certainly in need of assistance.

Tubercular Shelters, Cashmere Hills:—These Shelters which are conducted under the management of the North Canterbury Board are an item in the Board’s expenditure and this year the cost, will reach the sum of £250, £ 160 for buildings and £l4l for patients maintenance. This last amount will he passed on to the patients concerned, but it is doubtful if the Board will recover the full amount. These Shelters are a very necessary Institution and so far all the patients treated have completely recovered their normal state of

health. At the present time the three Shelters are occupied and in each case the patient is progressing satisfactorily.

District Nurse, South Westland : There has been installed lately a district nurse in South Westland and this will also add to the expenditure of the Board; for the seven months under review the cost of maintenance of a nurse in this district has cost tlie Board £7B and the revenVie received amounts to £7. This district is however, badly situated as regards medical attention and no doubt the nui'se is a great boon to the southern settlers, They might in consequence subscribe a little more generously to the fund and so ease the position financially. Reviewing tlie whole circumstances of your Board, I think that the financial position will require careful handling to enable the Board to conclude a satisfactory year. The present condition of things hardly merits the opinion that the expenditure will materially decrease during the next ' five mouths. Under any circumstances the Board should turn down any proposition which will add to the expenditure during this financial year. I feel sure a saving would be effected if the Board would close Totara Hospital, if only for the time being, and have only one Old Peoples Home at Kumara. The measure might seem a drastic one, but. these, Gentlemen, are drastic times and this change can be effected Without impairing the efficiency of your Institutions.

THE REPORT DISCUSSED. Mr. Williams asked if tlie report could be discussed. The Chairman replied in the affirmative. Mr. Williams then moved that Totara Hospital he closed, in accordance with the Chairman’s report. Air. Cameron seconded tlie motion as lie considered a saving would be effected. Mr. Murdoch said it was usual to move on the Chairman’s report without a notice of motion. He rose a point of order. 'flie Chairman said he wanted a full discussion at the same time he doubted whether they could legally close Totara Hospital. After discussion the Chairman said he upheld Air. Murdoch's contention, and Mr. Williams said he would give notice of motion for next meeting. NOTICES OF MOTION.

Air. Murdoch gave notice of motion that correspondence he placed on the table between Ministers and Boards in connection with the closing of the Kumara. and Ross hospitals. Also thftt. Kumara-and Ross Committees he authorised to advertise of a cost not exceeding £5, for a Aledical offi eer for the joint hospitals . Mr. Davidson gave notice to move that the Secretary supply at| each meeting a list of the several classes of patients at each institution. COMMITTEES.

I The following Committees were appointed. • Finance—r All members with Air. A\il- , Hams as Chairman.

i Westland Hospital—Messrs Davidson Alurdoch, Cameron, and Blank. (Chairman).

; To sign cheques—Messrs Davidson Blank and AVilliams. The Board rose at 9. 50. p.m.

j The worst roads can’t ‘chew up’ Clincher Dreadnought Motor Cycle Tyres. They are made the other way. Oversize 26x2* j heavy 28x3. Ask any live dealer. Misses Addison have received their first consignment of ladies costumes coat frocks, and sports coats which are now on show. —Advt.