WESTLAND HOSPITAL BOARD

Hokitika Guardian, 17 May 1921, Page 4

WESTLAND HOSPITAL BOARD

MONDAY, MAY 16th.

The Board met at 8 p.m. Present— Mjessrs G. H. Blank (voted to the chair in the absence of the Chairman, Mr Breeze), J. Ritchie, H. Monk, AV. Burrell, G. Davidson, and L. H. Mord INWARD CORRESPONDENCE. The Board met the parents of a child requiring attention to discuss the question of upkeep, and an offer of £2 per month was agreed to. Mr J. Drake waited on the Board asking for reconsideration of the cancelling of contract for laundry building. The Board, after discussion resolved not to alter its former decision. From Dr. Valintine, Wellington re medical inspection of school children. Received; referred to medical superintendent for report. From Dunedin Board, re account for maintenance.—Received and referred

back for action. From Dr. Bathgate, Otira, asking for testimonial. —Received; to he supplied. Froim Otira forwarding £3l 11b. 4d. contributions; stating Miss D. Mcßea had been resigned and Miss Smith had been appointed in her place as houstfmaid. —Received. From Canterbury Board, re maintenof an inmate at the sanatorium,— Received; It was to give notice of nonliability for patient, after the end of May. From Grey Hospital Board, asking if Westland Board would be prepared to combine for the erection of a central old peoples home for the Coast < t Greymouth.—Received consideration deferred to next meeting. From Dr. Valintine, Wellington re filling medical officer position at Otira. —Received. From F. G. Dunn, Christchurch, o [ coal.—Received. From Westland County Council conveying resolution declining to accent levy on contributing bodies.—Received; Mr Blank moved the letter lie received. The members of the County Council see mod to think that the members of the

Board were not able to carry out the business of the Board. He took exception to the remarks of a member of t e Council as to the. financial ability cf members. He spoke as a business man and he did not have to receive the financial assistance of his wife to carry on. He considered the remarks made at tiie Council table ft slur on the Board. As for the levy it has been struck ajid confirmed, and especially with a small Board present they could not deviate from the previous decision. If they found the levy was excessive at the end of six months they could then reduce the levy if thought necessary. The Council had their remedy, as they can apply to the Minister. It rests with the Minister to reduce the levy or not as he thought fit or to appoint a- commission to consider the levy. He moved that the letter he received and that no action he taken. Air Davidson seconded the motion. Air Morel said Air Blank should mt blame the Council for the remarks of one member. As a member of the County Council he would still like to see a reduction in the amount of the levy. Ho would move an amendment that a conference be held as asked for. The amendment lapsed for want of

a seconder. Mr Ritchie supported the motion. He {bought the matter had been gone into sufficiently. With regard to he payments he would be in favour of extending the payments from 9 to 12. > Mr Blank admitted that fixing .f the payments was not given'due consideration. He recognised that it wn a hardship on the County Council. Tt was the Borough Councils that .they l - sired to get at to hurry up the pay-' incuts. Tim Hokitika Borough Troisurcr does not pay over promptly, so as to save interest for the Borough but then the Board had to pay interest instead, while the County Council h’d paid up their levy promptly every month . The motion was then agreed to, Mr Morel dissenting. Mr Blank said he would give notice of motion for next meeting to rescind the motion carried at last meeting in reference to the payment of the levy »r 9 payments. A WITHDRAWAL. Mr Davidson said with the permission of the Board lie wished to make an explanation in connection with his remarks at last meeting. The Board li.vl met on April 11th., and the County Council on the 12th. He was under the impression at the time lie spoke that the Board’s levy had been before the Council on the 12th. He had since found that the Board’s letter was not received by the County Council till til • 15th. He resented anything unfair, and therefore took this opportunity ol withdrawing the remarks be had male as the County Council had not had time ti deal with the letter. He therefore wished to withdraw his remarks thereon.

From North Canterbury Board, Christchurch, notifying admission of patient from Westland.—Received.

REPORTS.

The Treasurer reported receipts £589 12s 8d; payments £1059 7s 3d; credit balance £1737 10s Id.—Received.

The House Committee reported conditions at the Hospital were very satisfactory ; and recommending a number of minor requirements be supplied. Received and adopted.

The Finance Committee recommended payment of accounts amounting to £535 1 Bs. 3d.—Received and adopted. Mr Davidson reported that the tender of Mr Stevenson for the erection of Hie laundry building bad been accepted at £1056. —Received and approved. MOTOR. AMBULANCE.

Mr J. Hewer, representing TTari Hari settlers waited on the Board. He stated that the residents of South Westland heartily approved of the proposal to provide an ambulance. Thev favoured three being purchased at a oost of about £4OO or £SOO each and place one at Otirn. or somewhere in Hie north, one at Hokitika and one in South Westland. He bad no doubt rs to the raising of funds for the purpose The Hari Hari medical fund would willing to take charge of the motor there, bouse it, and look after its upkeep. He asked for an opinion of the Board as to the suggestions made. (Mr Hewer has since received advice that a Ford motor ambulance eomplrt?, with extras can be landed at Hoki‘i ca for less than £450.) The Board generally spoke in wboli r(

hearted support of the proposals, but stated that the whole question of motor ambuldneO was in the hands of a i special committee of St. John’s Ambulance Brigade and the general publ'c The Board rose at 10.30 p.m.