WESTLAND HOSPITALS AND CHARITABLE AID BOARD.

Hokitika Guardian, 30 April 1921, Page 3

WESTLAND HOSPITALS AND CHARITABLE AID BOARD.

FRIDAY, APRIL 29. SPECIAL MEETING. The Board met at 7.15 p.m. There were present Messrs L. 11. Morel, G. Ll. Blank, G. Davidson, R. J. Burrell, J. Ritchie, J. J. Breeze, W. Senile and 11. Monk. The Secretary (Mr Bruce) took the chair and read notifications of the appointment of Messrs G. H. Blank and G. Davidson (Hokitika Borough) and R. J. Burrell (combined Kuinara and Ross Boroughs) ELECTION OF CHAIRMAN. The Acting Chairman then invited nominations for the position of Chairman. Mr Davidson nominated Mr J, J. Breeze.—Seconded by Mr Ritchie. -Mr.Morel nominated Mr G. H. Blank. —Seconded bv Mr Monk.

Mr Searlc nominated Mr Davidson, who declined to stand. Mr Breeze said lie felt that as the County found more than two-thirds of the finances it was only right that a representative of the County should fill the executive position. Mr Searle said while they recognised the fact they were satisfied with the management of local residents as Chairman. Mr Morel expressed a similar opinion. The vote for the position was then taken. For Mr Breeze —Ayes: Messrs Davidson, Burrell, Breeze, Searle and Ritchie. Noes: Messrs Morel, Blank and Monk 5—3. , For Mr Blank, the voting was the same, 3—5. Mr Ikecv'.e was therefore declared duly elected Chairman for the ensuing year. Mr Breeze took the chair and thanked members for election as Chairman. He had previously occupied the chair and had done his host for the Board. In the future lie would endeavour to do ns he had done in the past, watch the very host interests of the Board. He wished to emphasise that the most pressing nerd of the Board was retrenchment and lie would endeavour to do his best for the general welfare. He thanked them again for electing him. SUIUiEON SUPERINTENDEXT. Dr Baird waited on the Board hv request to discuss matters affecting the Board. In connection with tho appointment of Surgeon Superintendent, it was stated that the temporary appointment for six months had expired. Dr Baird expressed his willingness to accept appointment. On the motion of .Messrs Blank and Monk it was unanimously resolved that Dr Baird ho appointed Surgeon Superintendent of Westland Hospital at a salary of 6450 pei annum. Dr Baird briefly expressed his thanks lor I lie appointment and confidence expressed. |)r Baird then referred to the necessity of attention being given to the drainage system. Mr Davidson said this had already been under consideration and was in the hands of the District Health Officer. It was resolved to ask Dr Telford to hurry on consideration of his report. Dr Band said lie wished to point out that iii the group of 13 hospitals in which Westland Hospital was grouped, it was slumn that Westland had 3.1 patients per nurse. Practically Westland Hospital was tho most economically stalled hospital in the group. As far as staffing was concerned no criticism couljl he levelled against Wostlaiul Hospital. There was an average of 34 beds occupied, with a staff ol 11 nurses. Members expressed their pleasure at the statement of their medical officer. Dr Bail'd further re lei-red to the prime necessity of Letter provision being made for maternity cases in this district. The most suitable course he considered would he by an addition to Westland Hospital, as it would he the more economical by being in proximity to the hospital. There was also the possibility of the necessity of erecting one or two tubereolosis shelters in the hospital grounds. He recognised that I these matters would not receive the early attention of members, hut he considered it his duty to bring the matters before them. Mr Davidson said the matter of a j maternity home was oi great import-. ance and was a ease oi urgency. Mr taken to put the matter in train. Mr. taken to put the matter on trial. Mr ! Morel failed to see how they could , entertain more erections at the present time, lie was against further expenditure at present. The Chairman stated that at present nothing could he done owing to financial . arrangements. lie thanked Dr Baird, for his attendance and valued inforum- ; lion. j Dr Baird stated ho had received an , urgent call to South Westland. He had j arranged for Dr Teioholmanu to take J up his duties, and asked lor approval | by the Board. The Board gave its j approval unanimously. Dr Baird then | withdrew. j

ELECTION OF COMMITTEES. The following Committees were tippointed : House —Messrs Davidson iChairman), Blank, Breeze and Ritchie. Financt —Messrs Blank (Chairman), Ritchie, Breeze, Monk, Morel, Searle, Chinn, Burrell and Davidson. To sign cheques—Messrs Blank, Freeze, Davidson, Ritchie, Morel. Reserves—Messrs Morel (Chairman), Monk, Searle, Chinn and Burrell. CORRESPONDENCE.

Letters were received from the Westland County Council and Hokitika Borough Council asking the Hoard to reconsider the figufes for the levy with a view to tt reduction of the amount proposed to lie levied.— Received.

Mr Morel said its a representative of the County Council lie wished, to ask the careful consideration of the letter from the County Council. Mr Breeze asked who was responsible for the letter from the County Council. Was it the County Council as a whole or from whom.

Mi Morel said it 'came from the County Council.

Mr Ritchie said as far as he could recollect, there was no motion passed. It would he from the Chairman and Clerk as far as he knew. Mr Morel continuing, said last year the levy was responsible for the County rate being raised by three farthings and it was hoped that this year the rates

would have been reduced. If this levy was carried to-night he felt sure a commission would be set up against it. He thought that the nursing home in South Westland should he allowed to stand over. At present the nurse was comfortably installed at Waiho.

Mr Blank was quite in accord with Mr -Morel as far as the South Westland nurse was concerned. He thought the 61200 on capital expenditure could be held over for a period, and so help to reduce the levy which he recognised was too high and meant a hardship to the ratepayers. Mr Ritchie was entirely opposed to the holding up of the building of the cottage hospital at Waiho. They had voluntary contributions of £4OO and they proposed to collect a further 6200. With subsidy £I3OO would be raised. It would not cost the Board a, penny, ft would get the hacks up of the people of South Westland if this work was not carried out. The Secretary stated that if the South Westland nursing proposal of .61200 was struck out, they had also to strike out 6900 voluntary contributions, as the proposal was only costing the Board .6300. .Mr Ritchie said the money would not lie required for nearly twelve months.

Mr Searle said if that was So then hold over the levy for that period. Mr Davidson said the south people had raised 6200 and had now agreed to find a further £2OO. They would break faith with the south people if they did not erect the cottage hospital. Mr Monk thought the capital expenditure should he spent out of loan and so let those who came later find some of the payments. Mr Breeze said he did not think it was fair to hold up the building of the Waiho building. It would not be keeping faith with the south people not to do so. They were finding the money, and the Board should go on with it. Mr Blank asked if it were possible to raise a loan for capital expenditure. The Chairman replied in the affirmative, and said it was the fairest way of doing it.

Mr Morel made a spirited appeal to mem hers to reduce the amount proposed to he levied.

Mr Ritchie said ho recognised that there would he a great outcry at the levy, hut he had looked into the figures and he considered that all was necessary as set out.

Mr Blank said there was £2850 set out for capital expenditure, and he was in favor of a, loan of 63000 being raised for same. He moved that the estimates he reduced by £2850. Mr Searle seconded the motion, feeling that the South Westland home should he gone on with, hint approving of tin' raising of a loan.

Mr Davidson said if they could not raise the loan they would have to cut out the .£3OOO expenditure. He did not think they had been extravagant in tliwir management hut lie realised that the amount was a large one. Still they should first see if a loan could bei rais-

A general discussion then followed on the best course to he followed, and then Mr Blank withdrew his motion, and moved that consideration of the levy lie deferred until May sth, at 7.30 p.m. the Chairman and Secretary to enquire as to the possibility of raising a loan of £3OOO. Seconded by Mr Davidson and carried. MISCELLANEOUS. The question of the matron’s annual holiday leave was referred to the Chairman of the House Committee to arrange with the medical superintendent. From Dr Bathgate, Otira, asking that his resignation forwarded in December he dealt with.-Received. Air Blank moved that the resignation he accepted and applications be invited for the position. Seconded b.v Mr Davidson and carried. A suggestion by the Secretary tor the erection of an honors hoard for donors of substantial donations, was discussed, hilt no action taken. The Secretary reported that all levies lor last year had been paid except Knmara Borough Council which had 662 5s Id outstanding. Mr Blank moved that the Secretary write demanding payment of the balance of the levy due. Seconded by Mr Monk and carried. A number of matters affecting maintenance accounts etc were dealt with and action agreed upon. Accounts amounting to £1059 7s 3d were passed for payment. A letter was read from Thus P. Sontor, Wanganui, threatening prosecution for trespass if the roadway through his property between the Hospital and Asylum grounds wore used.—Received. Mr Blank moved that no action he taken. —Seconded by Mr Ritchie and carried. MR WILD’S REPORT.

Mr R. Wild reported: I have the honour to report that 1 attended the Hospital Commission at Wellington, as your representative and submitted your

views. While of course the Commission's report has not yet been prepared, I feel that I can safely'assure you that the proportional system of subsidy will he recommended, under which, while the total amount to he paid by Government over New Zealand will average 20/- in j the £l, those boards that have to make j light levies will only get 12s (3d subsidy | while those, of which ’Westland is one, that have to levy heavily will get 28s in the £l. It is to he regretted that of Loose Boards whose levies would he reduced under this System were not broadminded enough to accept so manifestly fair arrangement without oppo- j sit-ion ; but their position was untenable. 1 For instance, their most influential j champion, Sir .Limes 'Wilson, Chairman of Palmerston North Board, contended that distribution of the subsidy in proportion to tin; rate of levy was unfair; But that the heads should be counted and the weight of the levy per head taken into consideration. The Secretary of the Department then showed members of the Commission the following table: Rate of levy in the £l, Palmerston North, .081. Westland .136. Rate of levy per head of population’ Palmerston North 6/6:1: Westland 24/71. It will lie necessary for y< ttr Board to see that the recommendations of the Commission if as favourable as ] anticipate are given effect to next Session of Parliament.—Received. Mi- Davidson moved that a vote of thanks be passed to Mr Wild for the excellent services rendered at the Commission. Seconded by Mr, Ritchie and carried,