WESTLAND HOSPITALS AND CHARITABLE AID BOARD.

Hokitika Guardian, 30 April 1920, Page 4

WESTLAND HOSPITALS AND CHARITABLE AID BOARD.

THURSDAY, APRIL 29th

The Board mot at 8 p.m. Present: — Messrs R. Wild (Chairman), J. Came ron, J. J. Breeze, G. Davidson, E. A. Wells, L. Morel and T. R. Chesterman. An apology was made for the absence of Mr Blank. The minutes were confirmed and outward correspondence approved. MOTION OF SYMPATHY. The Chairman moved that the Board place on record its sense of the loss sustained by the district by the death of Mr G. Scott-Roberison, nnd convey to the widow and relatives its sympathy and condolence.—Seconded by air E. A. Wells and carried. INWARD CORRESPONDENCE.

From Dr Bathgate, Otira, asking for requirements for hospital—Received; to be arranged for. From J. Cameron, Araliura, thanking Board for letter of sympathy in illness. —Received.

From T)r Fletcher, asking for disinfection work to be carried out at Blue Spur.—Received. From Board of Trade, Wellington, promising to send supply of sugar.— Received. The Chairman moved- that the Board regretted to find that- the Board of Trade and Health Department combined were unable to supply in a month’s time half a ton of sugar for the requirements of the Old Peoples Home, and urge that a stronger effort to supply same be made.—Seconded by Mr Wells and carried. From Engineer-in-Chief, Wellington, notifying plans for new wing bad been posted.—Received. Mr Cameron moved that the plans be referred to the Superintendent and Matron to peruse and that a special meeting be held on Thursday next to deal with them, members to visit the ground to see what alterations were necessary to arrange for the removal of the old buildings, the site of the new structure to bo previously pegged off.—Seconded by Mr Davidson and carried.

It was resolved to approve of the beating of the new ward by hot water apparatus. From Defence Department, notifying tents were available for use in case of outbreak of any disease.—Received. It was resolved to ask for a loan of twenty tents. From Dr Valentine, Wellington, in reference to coming Conference.—Received ; referred to Chairman who will be representing the Board. From Telegraph Department, stating that through communication could not be made from the Old People’s Home, Kuniara and Hokitika, after hours, but an extension bell could be placed in the private residence of the postmistress at Kuniara.—Received; referred to the Chairman to interview Chief Postmaster at Hokitika. From F. Turley, Secretary Timber Workers Union, drawing attention to the necessity of supplying a medical officer for Ross district.—Received. From a Ivumara resident, thanking members for attention received at their hands. —-Received. The Board expressed its appreciation of the attitude taken by the writer. From Master (Mr W. R. liaison), Old People’s Home, Kuniara, reporting on matters in connection with institution. —Received. It was resolved to invite, tenders for the supply of meat.

From J. Jackson, resigning position as secretary to Otira Committee.—Received and accepted with regret, a vote of appreciation of past services being recorded. From N.Z. Educational Institute, re moving pictures and inviting opinion of Board on subject.—Received. The Board resolved that it was injurious for children to be allowed to pictures as shown ; that the Education Department should act as censor, and that if properly censored there was no necessity to differentiate between adults anil children; congratulating the Institute on its movement.

From Dr Tcichelmann, reporting two cases of diphtheria at Hau Halt.—Received ; all requirements attended to. From Dr Tcichelmann, thanking Board for increase in salary.—Received. From Master Old People’s Home, Ivuniara, enclosing report and application for annual leave by cook.—Received. Mr Breeze was added to the Documents Committee. REPORTS. From Surgeon Superintendent, Westland Hospital, reporting for March there were patients in hospital, 17 males, 17 females ; admitted 8 males, 1 female ; total treated, 25 males, 18 females—43. Discharged relieved 11 males, 4 females ; died 1 female, 2 males, relieved 1 female. Total discharged 19. In hospital 31st March, 18 males, 6 females —24. In hospital for two months 10 males, 1 female—ll.—Received. The limit of overdraft for the year was fixed at £1,600. The House Committee reported in favour of provision of three oil heaters for nurses rooms, and the supply of sevtral hand grenades for fire extinguishing.—Received ; referred to Chairman to attend to.

The resignation of Mr Blank as Chairman of the House Committee was accepted, and Mr Davidson was appointed in his place. Mr Breeze was appointed Chairman of the Finance Committee. The Finance Committee recommended payment of accounts amounting to £1233 Is lid for payment.—Received and agreed to. The Treasurer reported receipts £1325 8s 3d, payments £1313 3s lid, debit balance £1045 12s 7d.—Received. FIXING OF LEVY. From Hokitika Borough, Ross Borough, Westland County Councils, approving of levy as notified.—Received. From Valuer General, Wellington, notifying valuations of Westland district as follows: Westland County £604,363 Hokitika Borough 201,431 Kumar a Borough 23,732 Ross Borough 19,533 Total £845,081 Estimated population of the district, 7,656. —Received.

The Chairman moved that the levy as drawn up at last meeting be formally adopted.—Seconded by Mr Breeze.

Mr Davidson said lie wished to refer to the criticism that had appeared in the local paper after last meeting of the Board wherein it was stated that at an earlier meeting when referring to the retiring Chairman it had been made to appear that the Board had a surplus. That as entirely wrong. No such thing was mentioned as a matter of fact at that time there was £BOO of an overdraft. Fortunately for the Board they had members who could see ahead a-. | their actions had proved. They had j been accused of allowing a leakage to go on without any attempt to stop it. In , reference to voluntary subscriptions it was known that the members of the J Board cannot go out with the lint. Another suggestion made was that they I should have raised a loan. There have . been several unforeseen works found necessary to carry out involving sub- ! stantial amounts, including the nurses new quarters that had been unexpected. To show the somwsault that the writer of the article had made, he rend an extract from the “Guardian,” published after last meeting. This he held showed a complete somersault from a previous attitude, and was full of misstatoments. He did not think that members who

have.made such saprificos to attend t:-e btisinoss of the Board deserved such attacks. There were three sitting members of the Council on the Board, and fie was surprised that they allowed the Clerk to dictate to them as to how they should run the Board. Tlie County ratepayers stand in a very good position as regards charitable aid payments as they bad not to pay a special rate, and there bad not been any increase in the general rate till now. The whole of the blame for tlie increase seemed to be thrown on members of the Board. He objected to the complaint made by the Clerk as to the raising of voluntary subscriptions. He considered that members have done everything that the Board can do to carry on its work in the interests of all. He considered that the levy was the fairest way to reach the ratepayers and not by subscriptions as had been collected in the past. Why should the paper show such disrespect to them and make such unfair criticisms which he considered idiotic. If his services were not any better thought of than by the writer .of the article then it was time he thought of resigning his seat on the Board.

Mr Cameron supported Mr Davidson’s attitude, and said the Westland Board was not unique in having to increase its levy, the Otago Board having also increased its levy by 50%, while Palmerston North had also made a very substantial increase. The voluntary subscriptions in the past were obtainegd by false pretences. The editor should start a subscription list and bead it with £5. The members of the Board cannot go round and ask for donations. He was sorry the paper had taken up the attitude against members that it lias done. He was not gratified at being criticised and such misstatements made. Mr Breeze said wliat the paper says is. true if right, but a lot of tilings said were not true. There never was a time when more was given in voluntary contributions than at the present time, the sum of nearly £SOOO having been raised for the building fund. The Board have never got the credit for what they have done, but they should take the criticism for what it is worth. The most hostile criticism he had ever had was ill the Charitable Aid Board, but be had always done his best for the Board and Westland Hospital in particular.

Mr Wells said he had only had three years on the Board and that was nearly enough. He recognised that public men must be prepared to accept criticism. They knew the rise in prices was the cause of the extra levy. They bad done blieir best and would have to put op with a little criticism. Mr Morql said be could conscientiously say he bad carried out bis intentions to do his best for the ratepayers and local bodies. He had thought that at the end of the year the position of the Board would have been far better than it was, but in face of the high prices, he considered they have done well to finish up as they, had done.

The Chairman said no member of the Board had done more than Mr Davidson for its advancement. The “Guardian” bad done some good if it assisted to put a little tougher, bide on him to enable him to withstand unfair criticism. He (Mr Davidson) does not d - things for applause. He sympathised with him for his feelings at unfair and unjust fault-finding. That criticism was unfair and some of the statements were inaccurate. And what a farcical side there was to the complaint that the funds for the building should not be raised by voluntary contribution but by loan. The writer of the criticism was responsible for the first donation for the rebuilding of the institution. The members were giving to the best of their ability to carry out their work, and the community had every reason to be grateful for the work they are getting done. They must not forget that the Board in past years was not in the best of odour and they must not forget that the same newspaper sat silent about the scandal that was going on. We don’t forget and the community does not forget. The motion for the adoption of thclevy was then put and agreed to. ROYAL VISIT. Mr Breeze mentioned the approaching visit of the Prince of Wales, and it. was resolved to arrange for a display in connection with the decorations, the sum of £lO being voted for the purpose. The Board rose at 11.10 p.m.