WESTLAND HOSPITALS AND CHARITABLE AID BOARD.

Hokitika Guardian, 16 December 1919, Page 4

WESTLAND HOSPITALS AND CHARITABLE AID BOARD.

MONDAY, DECEMBER 15. The adjourned meeting of the Board was held at 7.30. p.m. Present—Messrs H. Norman (Chairman), J. Cameron, G. Davidson, E. A. Wells, R. Wild, L. Morel, and T. R. Chesterjnan. A CHARGE REPLIED TO. Mr Wild moved:—“This Board ' deplores the way in which Mr James O’Brien, Labour candidate for Parliament, has thought fit to make an unjustified attack on it in repeatedly stating in his public addresses that the Kumara Old Men’s Home is the limit; that the Westland Charitable Aid Board ought to be made to sit up; and-that the Kumare Old Men’s Home •is a positive soandal.” .

These statements were abteoluitoly without foundation in fact inasmuch as the board had in person visited the home, referred to, within a month previous to the assertions being made, and found the inmates entirely comfortable, and contented. Of 43 inmates there was only one complaint made and .that a trivial qne most of the others making a point of expressing their satisfaction and appreciation of the institution.

Air Wild said it was difficult ,to understand why these remarks were made seeing that the creed that the political aspirant professes is presumably for the people to control their own affairs, yet if there were neglect or harshness shown ,by this hoard it would be by a wholly locally elected body not interfered with by Government or any political party, and the speakers thought would seem to be that the people are unfit to manage their own affairs, the control of which would have to be in the hands of assumedly some .superior race. The malignant reflection cast upon the members of this, board comes with particularly bad grace from this person who, as far as this district at all events, is concerned has neither in his own person, nor that of any of his prominent supporters taken up any of the unpaid harrassing public duties of local bodies. Contrast the record of such a man with those he sees fit to malign. Our late Chairman, Air Breeze, who took his duties so seriously and found anxiety and the work so strenuous that his health was giving way and he had to give up or with Mr Davidson who has repeatedly taken His own car with members to this very institution, or with our chairman, Mr Norman who has devoted practically half of his time to the, board’s service or Mr Alorel who has travelled as much as 70 miles at no cost to the board to visit tliiß same home. , I will not continue, as every member of the board lias and is making sacrifices in what they oonsider to he a duty to themselves and the community. As far as the home at Kumara is concerned it was established by the Board in Kumara as a matter of right to that District although inconvenient and expensive, but it it to be made a source of vilification by irresponsible self-seekers, then the board will have to take into consideration shifting the establishment and centralising at Hokitika. Every member of tbe Board is a worker and it is remarkable that this attack should come from an individual seeking to represent workers. The Chairman seconded the motion, . ( cndorsing the mover’s remarks, and stating the members had given their services freely in the work of the Board. He resented with other .members the remarks made. It was only a week or two ago he had gone to Kumara to open the Doctor’s residence there to assist ill accommodating the overflow at Westland Hospital. He strongly resented the charge made. Air Davidson felt the remarks made were an insult to' the Board members, ab trustees of the institution. All members were out to do their utmost for the welfare of the institution.

Mr L. Alorel said he was very much hurt to read the remarks of the candidate, in the paper, which he felt were not worthy of replying to. Air Cameron supported the motion. He had been surprised at the attack, but he did not think the ratepayers would take the remarks seriously. Air Chesterman supported the motion Expressing disapprobation of the remarks.

Mr E. A. Wells supported, stating he had not taken the remarks seriously, considering the man who had made them. The motion was agreed to. The minutes were confirmed and oiit ward correspondence approved. INWARD CORRESPONDENCE. From Dr C’hesson, Christchurch, reply re Board’s responsibilities of administering Public ileadth; enquiring lor cases of tuberculosis in Westland; asking for addresses of undertakers and Medical men iu district.—Received. From Secretary of Health Department re capital expenditure lor 1919. —Received. From Secretary, Canterbury Board, conveying rsolution re V.D. cases.— Received; proposal for notification to be approved. From Sergt Folley, forwarding amount in the estate of Charles Hopewell. —Received. ' ‘ From Dr Macpherson resigning position as anaesthetist at Westland Hospital.—Rueeicived add aooeepted with regret. From Drs. Mcßreariy and Tedokalmaiin reporting cases of diphtheria at Kumara.—Received. From Secretary, Grey Board, notifying admission of diphtheria case to their hospital.—Received. From Secretary, Inangahua Board, re scale of salaries for Probationers. — Received. From Nurse Holford, Dunedin, acknowledging receipt of £lO 10s collected at Nurses Memorial Service.—Received,

From Eevd. Fraser, acknowledging letter of thanks.—-Received.

From W. Ritchie, Bruce Bay re Plunkett Nurse.—Received.

From W. Joyce, Greymouth, on behalf of a client, disputed account for maintenance.—Received; consideration deferred.

From Master O.P. Home, Kumara, reporting position at hospital satisfactory.—Received. From Health Department, Wellington asking if the district had a sufficient medical service.—Received; Mr Davidson moved that a reply he sent pointing out the necessity of further medical assistance for the district. Seconded by Mr Chesierman, who con-

sidered the district fo large that

further medical assistance was necessary.

• From Dr McGill, Wellington/ notifying changes in administration stating Westland would be included in district with headquarters at Nelson, while Inangahua and Grey would remain under Canterbury Board. —Received ; Mr Davidson moved that the Department be asked to include Westland in the Canterbury district, in(dtead, of Nelson. ’Seconded by Mr. Cameron and carried.

From Otira Committee, fn connection with accounts for maintenance and |ne«oo nimending action.!—Rjeoeivjed and acceded to.

From Otira Committee enclosing £22 8s 9d receipts.—Received; It was resolved to have roof of hospital attended to, as recommended. From Matron Bowie, Otira, asking for usual holiday, Nurse Moynihan to take charge; and also for testimonial. —Received; left to Chairman. From Dr Chesson, Christchurch enquiry what mid wives were in the district.—Received.

From Dr McGill re supplies of medical necessities and forwarding an account for blankets taken over at the time'of epidemic.—Received. From W. D. Nolan, Okuru, reporting having fixed site for Nurse’s Berne South Westland, and stating it was deoided to .at onoe endeavour to raise £2OO for purpose of building.—Received Mr Wells moved and Mr Morel seconded that applications returnable in a week be called for district nurse for South Westland to be stationed at Waiho Gorge, the application be dealt with by two members. —Carried. From Secretary Health Department, Wellington, reporting having visited the Board’s office and found books kept correctly and returns furnished in proper manner and suggesting that a typist be engaged to assist the Secretary and thereby relieve him for more important outside duties.—Received. The opinion was expressed that the office should be at the hospital. Mr Wells moved and Mr Chesterman seconded, that consideration be referred until preparing the new estimates.

Mr Davidson moved and Mr Wells seconded that Dr Chesson be asked to send a qualified expert to set out the best system of drainage for Westland Hospital.—Carried. It was moved by Mr Davidson, seconded by Mr Wild that the road approach to Westland Hospital bo improved and fences shifted, and the roadside paddock be grassed.—Carried.

An account for locum tenens at Kumar a wa s referred to the master for pay ment.

Moved by the Chairman, seconded by Mr Cameron that Sister Harris be granted a week’s leave of absence, and expenses paid to Waiho.—Agreed to. VISIT TO KUMARA. Mi* Davidson reported that on the Ist November, a sub-committee of Messrs Davidson, Morel, Wild and Cameron visited Kumara Old Men’s rtome and raised the cook’s salary by £lO a year, engaged Miss Hawkes to replace Mrs Thompson and appointed a boy at 5s a week to look after the cow. Instructed a door be placed in the medical ward for safety of exit in case of fire. Aranged with the master to cooperate with the fire-brigade to train tlie staff in fire drill and put the equipment in order. Found the milk supply highly satisfactory and economical. Instructed that the paddocks be fenced and put in order .Arranged with an old veteran of the Crimea to be given big outstanding pension. Inquired into a quarrell and divided the blame between two inmates. After conferring with local business people agreed to getting supplies locally as before so long as the cost does not exceed 10 per cent, more than at Westland Hospital. Inmates made no complaints, but there were many expressions of satisfaction. Investigated installing electric light, but found water supply too irregular. A local case of distress was visited and arrangements made for relief. As there is no resident of the locality now on the Board, Mr Robert Burrell was approached and consented to act as visitor and correspondent for the Board. On the motion of Messrs Wild and Davidson, it was resolved that the Board contribute 23 per cent, to contributions by the staff to the National Provident Fund. It was resolved that the usual Christmas cheer for the inmates of all institutions be arranged.

From Treasurer, reporting receipts £1123 10s lid, payments £1622 17s sd, bank overdraft £lll2 14s 7d, outstanding cheques £llO3 3s 3d, debit balance £2215 17s lOd, building fund credit £407 0s 9d, receipts since Ist Dec. to 15th £1798 4s 7d, bank overdraft £4OO 11s Id, cheques outstanding £532 12s 6d total debit balance £933 3s 7d.—Received.

The House Committee reported hav_ ing visited the Hospital and found conditions satisfactory; some requirements were authorised and small alterations approved. —Received. Mr H. Norman wrote, resigning his seat owiing to his leaving the district.— Received.

Mr Morel said the Board were losing a very valuable man, and felt it.

Mr Wells said Mr Norman was a loss that was going to bo Marlborough’s gain.

Mr Davidson had found at the time df the epidemic that Mr Norman had a warm heart, and his able and courteous conduct of the affairs of the .Board had earned their admiration.

Mr Cameron was deeply sorry that they were losing Mr Norman, who was an enthusiast in the Board’s offairs, and had thoir warmest regard, and wished him and his family success and happiness in their new home.

Mr Chesterman had known Mr Norman for 30 years, and was not surprised at the very high credit he had earned, for he knew from long experience how good and thorough he was in all he undertook.

Mr Wild was not behind any of them in his appreciation of their Chairman, and all that he had done.

Mr Norman; in reply, deeply felt all that had been said, which was valued because the members were all workers themselves who had not spared themselves or grudged inconvenience and loss to carry out their work. He would continue to take interest in the work, and before the new wing was finished would again show assistance in a practical way.

It was indicated that mothers wished to give a token of remembrance, and