WESTLAND HOSPITALS AND CHARITABLE AID BOARD.

Hokitika Guardian, 12 April 1921, Page 4

WESTLAND HOSPITALS AND CHARITABLE AID BOARD.

MONDAY, APRIL 11th. The Board met, at, 8 p.m, Present— j Messrs R. Wild (Chairman), G. Davidson, W. H. Chinn, J. Ritchie, S. P. Evans, H. Monk. i The minutes were confirmed and outward correspondence approved. The Chairman’s written evidence to be placed before the Hospitals Commission was placed before members. After discussion the statement )vas approved with the exception of a clause dealing with representation of Boards. From Dr Valintine, Wellington, acknowledging receipt of copy of plans of Boards holdings.—Received. From Health Department, circular re loans. —Received. From Hospitals Department, Wellington, asking for evidence to Hospitals Commission to be given in writing. Received. From Same, offering ambulance stretchers at £3 each.-v-Received. From North Canterbury Board, in reference to the admission of a male patient to Cashmere sanatorium.—Received; enquiries to be made.

From Grey Jockey Club, Greymouth, declining permission to collect in aid of Westland Hospital during race meeting at Omoto.—Received. From Kumara, Reefton and Westland Racing Clubs, granting permission to sell art union tickets at recent race meetings.—Received with thanks. From T. West, Industrial Ambulance, Greymouth, re ambulance. —Received.

From T. R. Chesterman, Kanieri, stating be ihad an offer for but at Kanieri, owned by Board. —Received; referred to Chairman, From Hospital Department, Wellington, in reference to paying patients.— Received. From Same, advising inability to supply Defence ambulances at present, and advising Board’s requiring immediate supply to move in the matter themselves.—Received; referred to local Ambulance Association.

From R. Cropper, Araliurn, notifying increase of price of milk for winter season from ,jd to 6)d per quart, April to September.—Received.

From J. McCormick, Kokatahi, expressing appreciation of attention given bis late father in hospital.—Received.

From Health Department, Wellington, notifying population of district under Hospital Act as 7831 and rateable value £849,858 Received. From Otira Committee, enclosing list of requirements of new hospital now nearing completion.—Received. From Same, enclosing £76 for I'ebruary and .March.—Received. From Sister Baker, District Nurse, South Westland, reporting on various matters and forwarding various accounts and statement of charges.—Received. BE BO UTS. From Surgeon Superintendent, Westland Hospital, reporting patients on Ist March, 31. Admitted during March IfJ males, 8 females. Total treated, 39 males, 19 fc-malcs. Discharged cured 12 males, 3 females, relieved 1 male, died ! male, 2 females. Total discharged 14 males, 5 females. Remaining in institution 25 males, II females; total 39.—• Received. The House Committee reported on various matters requiring attention, including supply of adjuncts to the steam laundry.—Received and approv-

In connection with the proposed site for nurse’s residence at Waiho, Mr Ritchie icported that he had waited on tin- Chief Commissioner (..Mr Galbraith) am! that gentleman very courteously informed him that lie bad arranged w.-L’i the .Minister to have the -I acres surveyed in the cattle resting reserve, and that as soon as the survey was completed, tl 10 Board could go ahead with the building.—Received as very satisfactory.

From Finance Committee, recommending payment of accounts amounting to C 1072 18s 3d. — Received and adopted. The Treasurer reported receipts £2,897 17s Bd, payments £1,094 0s lOd, credit balance £2,232 13s lid. —Receive tl. Mr Evans asked the Chairman for information as to the position of the medical officer at Ross, as affecting Ross residents, who had subscribed to the medical fund. He mentioned that when Dr Meade had left it was understood that Dr Bruce Baird was to act as locum tenens, and this he now understood, was not arranged for at all. As a result there had been some eases of hardship. The Chairman said as far as they knew Dr Meade bad not made any arrangement for medical attention during his absence. It was resolved to ask the Ross Committee to supply particulars of the cases referred to and the Board would consider each case on its merits at next meeting, in view of the breach of the engagement of Dr .Meade, but since the eml of bis engagement on 31st March the Hoard could not take any responsibility.

The Chairman reported that with Mr Davidson lie had visited Kumara Home on Saturday in connection with the visit of the Governor-General and he had to commend the Master and Matron on the very excellent arrangements made to welcome the visitors. He was extremely gratified at the manner in which the arrangements wero undo. He moved that a congratulatory letter be sent to Mr and Mrs Batson on the manner in which the Governor-General had been welcomed. —Seconded bv Mr Ritchie and carried. The Chairman moved that a very sincere vote of thanks be passed to the Hon. Minister of Health for the special grant of £IOOO for capital .expenditure. Seconded by Mr Davidson and carried. ■ • ■ BOARD’S ESTIMATES. The Board discussed the estimates on, which to fix the 1921-22 levy on the contributing local bodies, and the following estimates were approved to be forwarded to the local bodies as lollows:

Westland Hospital—Maintenance expenditure, £6,100; capital expenditure £I,BOO-07,900. Estimated receipts £2,344; required from Board £5,856. Otira Hospital—Maintenance expenditure £1,100; less estimated receipts £980; required from Board £l2O. Kumara O.P. Home—Maintenance expenditure £2,500; less estimated receipts £1,300; required from Board £1,200.

; Ross Hospital—Maintenance £100; ! required from Board £IOO. Benevolent grants—Required £750. Sanatoriums—Required £IOO. j South Westland; Nursing—Maintenance expenditure £350; capital expenditure £1,200; required from Board £650. I Industrial spools—Required £IOO. j Public Health—£loo. Doctors Fund, Ross —£70. j Doctors Fund, Kumara—£l2o. | Board and Sundries—£soo. J : Total required—£9,4os. j The capital expenditure is made up i () f Westland Hospital Laundry, £1,000; ! electric light installation, £375; drainage scheme, £425; South , Westland Nursing Home, £1,200 Total. £3,00Q. , £ Required from Board 0405 Special. grant from Minister for , Health IMO , £8405 ■£ s d I Levy on contributing bodies 4360 1 9 | | Subsidy from Government 4044 18 3 ! , .. , £8405 0() Tliis shows a decrease of £441 on last year’s levy. ’ ' The Board rose at 10.50. p.m.