WESTLAND HOSPITAL BOARD

Hokitika Guardian, 13 December 1921, Page 4

WESTLAND HOSPITAL BOARD

MONDAY, DECEMBER. 12th. The Board met at 8 p.m. present— Messrs .). J. Breeze (Chairman), Blank, Davidson, Chinn. Burrell, Monk and Ritchie. Tlie minutes were iwiiifirmed and outward correspondence was approved. 'Hie action of tlie town members in accepting the tender of R. F. Cochrane of .2015 19 s. for drainage contract at Westland Hospital wiis confirmed. INWARD CORRESPONDENCE. From Otira Committee enquiring power of Doctor to refuse admission to patient.—Received and reply approvFrom AVestland facing Club granting permission to nurses to collect on racecourse on race days.—Received. From Dr. AVylie, AVellington, enclosing letter from Marine Department approving of plan of drainage scheme I of Hospital Board.—Received. I From Dr. Yalintine approving of proposal for medical service at Ross.—Received . From Department of Health, Christchurch advising invitation to tenderers for drainage contract. —Received. From Pensions Department, AA’ellington in reference to payment of a widow’s pension—Received. From Town Clerk, Ross forwarding two months levies £ls. - Received. From Railway Department. Grev- . mouth in reference to a lease of railway reserve. -Received. From S- Able Otira agreeing to carry parcel of fish overland every week. Received. From .Tames Green Tntare stating a meeting had been called in reference to ■district nurse. Received. From .1. Schilling AA’aiho Hospital Committee forwarding copy of minutes of meeting (already published).-—Re-ceived. From Sister Gunn report for month and enquiring as to increase of salary asked for stating two visits luid been made during the month.—Received. Referring to the letter from the AA’aiho Committee Mr Blank moved the letter lie received. He thought the Board luul been ignored by the Committee sending a eopv of the letter to the Guardian before the meeting, lie thought the Board had done sufficient under all the circumstances.

Afr Ritchie supported. He thought the South AVestland people were not treating the Board in a fair manner and lie agreed with the tenor of Mr Blank’s remarks With regard to the increase of salary he was opposed to it as lie thought the nurse was amply paid at the present time. As to tin* cottage lie understood it was abandoned half the time. It was to be regretted that tin* nurse could not live in it oftener than slu* does as it did not tend to improve the present building. A|i Davidson took exception to one paragraph of the letter in connection with the erection of the cottage hospital. He thought tlie South Westland people did no know what they do really want. Having the cottage there for the nurse the Board considered it would not he wise to go on with the cottage hospital with the nurse liable to receive a call to any part of the district at any time. Hr* thought the Board had gone far enough. If tlie nurse was not going to lie in tlie cottage more than three months in a year he thought they should make other arrangements. He was not in favour of an increase of snlarv.

Mr Chinn said there appeared to be a misunderstanding on the pari of the Smith Westland people. They did not want a cottage hospital but only a residence for the nurse and lie thought they were entitled to it hut he did not approve of the site across the Wailin river. The present nurse was living at this end of the district and that •should not bo. The nurse for South Westland should reside near the Waillo. lie suggested a seetion of land be endeavoured to be procured from ATr Condon for the erection of a residence. Mr I!itchie said there was a suggestion being mooted to utilise the steamer if one was procured t-o trade south for the purpose of bringing patients to Hokitika and doing away with the services of the nurse altogether. Tho Chairman said there had been trouble for the southern people for many years. The Hoard liad been led to believe that, a cottage hospital was required, on the south side of the Waiho. but- if it were there the present nurse would not reside there more than she was doing in the present, residence, lie advised the Board to go slow for the rest of the year. The (lovernment were reducing salaries at present, so lie did not approve of giving a rise in salary at the prosent time. Tie moved that the Board regrets they were unable to grant a increase of salary. Seconded by Mr Ritchie and carried. Mr Cliinn moved that the Board write to the Waiho Committee inviting them to enquire as to the pos nihility of securing an option over four acres of land from .Mr Condon at Waiho near Tataro river for the purpose of erecting a cottage thereon. .Seconded i> v the Chairman and carried. From Inangahtia Board in reference to a patient.- Received. A number’ of letters dealing with applications for assistance and maintenance accounts were dealt with. From Otirs Committee forwarding voluntary contributions £SO 11s 7d Received. TENDERS FOR MEAT.

Tenders for the supply of meat to Wostlnnd Hospital were received from Ziegler and Co., on quantities taken last v olir £4.23 13s 4Jd ; Andrews Bros. £366 4s 4Jd. The tender of Andrews Rros. was accepted. For supply of Kumara Home the tender of J. Murphy, on quantities taken last year £206 16s 3d ; J. Stewart, £204 Ms sjd. The tender of J. Murphy was

accepted. The Westland Hospital House Committee reported the contractor for the the drainage scheme was going on with the work ; the Rand visited the Hospital on Sunday to the decided pleasure of the patients. -Received and adopted. A vole was passed to the Rand for the much appreciated visit. Accounts amounting to £976 16s 2d were passed for payment:. From Treasurer reporting receipts £1379 Is 9d: payments £1342 3s 3d; debit balance £I4OB 2s Bd. Building fund account receipts—£3so (£IOO each by Messrs John Murdoch (Ross), Renton and Co., and Dr Teidhelmnnn, £SO Air vS. J. Preston.)—Received,

A hearty vote of thanks was pass- j oil to tlie donors for their substan- j tial donations. j Tt was resolved 1 to ask tlie Health i Department to provide a medical officer for Kiimara. Tlie Chairman moved that tlie usual Christmas treat be arranged. Hie j Chairman add litembcVs t'o visit AVest--1 iml and Mr Bni'Vell 1 to do likewise at Kiimara Did Peoples’ Home dn Xmas Day. Seconded by Mr Blank and carried.