Westland Hospital Board

Hokitika Guardian, 17 October 1922, Page 1

Westland Hospital Board

MONDAY, OCTOBER 16th

The Board met at 8.20 p.m. Present —Messrs J. J. Breeze (Chr'rman), G. Davidson, J. Ritchie, W. Jeffries, J H. Blank, W. Burrell, and H. Monk The minutes were confirmed and outward correspondence approvedDEPUTATION. Mr Ritchie introduced Mr D. Nolan, of Okuru, whom he had requested to meet the Board and discuss South Westland matters with a view to clearing the position. Mr Blank asked if the "hole South

Westland trouble was going to lie brought up aguin. Ho for one ol>jectod to it, as he was tired of hearing of the matter. The Chairman deprecated the attitude taken by Mr Blank, and said they would lie glad to hear Mr Nolan as they desired to have matters in disputs brought to a more satisfactory position. Mr Jeffries said he had stated when he came on the Board that he was of opinion that a misunderstanding existed among the people of South West, land. He would like to hear Mr Nolan and felt sure that the air would he much clearer as a result. Mr Nolan said he had been asked by Mr Ritchie to attend that evening and he had agreed if the Chairman was willing for him to meet them. He was very much surprised to hear the attitude taken up by Mr Blank especially ns it was the duty of the Board to provide for the whole district, including South Westland. He thought if n conference was held at Wailio. many of their misunderstandings would he cleared up. Some two years ago when he met the Board, they said if he found £2OO, the Board would erect a residence cottage, not a cottage hospital ax apparently tile members of the Board understood. The Wailio Committee took exception to the erectaou of a cottage hospital and by their action, which he did. not always approve of, the Board was saved an expenditure of £IOOO that would have lieen a failure and was not wanted by the jjeoplo of South Westland. All they wanted and asked for was an expenditure of £6OO not £IOOO. It was not only the settlers who bad made mistakes the Board members were equally to blame The whole question was whether (he Bond would erect a cottage on the south side of the Waiho as they had promised. If they did they would get the £2OO that was collected for the purpose.

Mr Davidson said when Mr Nolan appeared before the Board en a previous occasion, lie made out a good ease, and asked for a cottage hospital at the Wniho. He was present on that occasion and in accordance with the very strong pressure put forward the Board had agreed to erect a cottage hospital. Now Mr Nolan had turned right round and said he did not want a cottage hospital. Tip took - exception to the attitude taken up by Mr Nolan now which was in direct opposition to what he stated when before the Board on a previous occasion.

Mr Nolan said he did not accuse tho Board of squandering. Apparently there was a mistake made in connection with what, was wanted. He had at all times urged that a residence for a nurse lie provided.

Air Blank contended that the AAkiiho Committee have not treated the Board properly at any time. They had collected the £2OO but had not sent it to tile Board. He endorsed Afr Davidson’s statement that Afr Nolan at a former meeting bad asked for a cottage hospital at Waiho.

The Chairman said the South Westland people had promised to find one third of the cost of the cottage at WmTio, but so far they had not sent to the Board one penny. The Board had kept faith with the South people. For three years they had waiting patiently for the South people to keep their part of the bargain. Before the Board could move further they had to obtain the freehold of tho land. The Board had never made one breach of faith with the South people. The Board had put £3OO on their estimates for throe years, but were waiting on the Wniho Committee. Mr Jeffries said that he was quite convinced that the Waiho people were under a misconception. Tie felt that

it was advisable that tho Chairman should go to Waiho. when lie was suro the whole misunderstanding would he wiped away. The Chairman said he did not see any necessity of his going south, and in any event he did not think any good would lie made by the suggested eon-

fere nee. Mr Nolan said what he had wished to convey was that the Board had attempted to do too much. He was not accusing the Board ef breaking fr.itli with tlie .South people. There was some dispute with the Waiho Committoe, but that was not the fault of tho Board, because he recognised that some of (he Wailio Committee’s letters were not courteous.

The Chairman in conclusion asked Mr Nolan to convey to the southern people the attitude of the Board, and to assure them that the erection of a cottage at Waiho will bo carried out in due course.

Air Ritchie moved that the question of tho £2OO with the Waiho Committee be referred to Messrs AT. Jeffries Chinn and Nolan to confer with the AYailio Committee with a view to a satisfactory solution. Second hv AJ> Breeze and carried. A COMPLAINT.

From Andrews Bros., stating that they had the prior right to tho pigs at the hospital, but a number had boon disposed without them being offered to thorn and entering a protest.— Received. Mr F. Andrews waited on tho Board and stated that with their contract for the supply of meat was the right to take tho pigs at the hospital. He had taken six large pigs, and there

were others which had been disposed of otherwise without his having the refusal.

Mr Ritchie stated that the dairyman took his instructions from the speaker, and he. explained his action in the matter.

Tho Chairman stated that Mr Andrews had a right under his contract to the first refusal of the pigs. Apparently they had ibeen some injustice done to Mr Andrews in the past, but now the matter had been drawn attention he could assure him of receiving the proper treatment in the future.

The Secretary (Mr Bruce) mentioned that Mr Andrews had always met the Board fairly, on one occasion paying for a pig taken that had been omitted in the Board’s books, through an error by the then gardener in charge. INWARD CORRESPONDENCE. From Hon. C. J. Parr, Wellington, in reference to supply of meat for Wesll and Hospita I. —R eeeived. From Dr. Buchanan, giving details of the supply of meat and cost of supplies.—Received; The Chairman stated it was apparent- it would not he advisable to obtain their meat through the Mental Hospital. From Dr Frengley, re nurses cottage at Waiho, enclosing draft of a clause for inclusion in the Washing-Up Bill.— Received.

From Same asking for motor ambulance to be insured against fire.—Received; already attended to. From Otaki Sanatorium reporting on an inmate.—Received.

From Sister Gunn, South Westland Nurse, reporting two eases for the month.—Received.

From Master. Old Peoples’ Home. Kumarn, reporting one admission, one discharged and 26 inmates, recommending a number of improvements required and asking for authority for "oiks required; stating that two maids cannot lie done without, in fact another was required Received. From Same forwarding £lO for cows sold.—Received, From Otirn Committee forwarding £4l 11s, voluntary contributions and advising a nival of I)r Gibson’s locum tenons.—Received. Fmnn Dr East, Otirn, asking for information and supply of chemicals.—Received.

From Probationer Kieiy resigning position at Westland Hospital.- Received and accepted with regret.

From Miss Mary Hodgson, caretaker, Ross hospital asking for annual leave. Received and approved. From AY. .Bernhard, Ruafapu Ball Committee enclosing £2 10s, being proceeds of ball.—Received. From AVestland Racing Club stating the Committee had considered the request favorably for a lienefit race meeting and the Trotting Club had also promised to assist and that steps would be taken in the matter.--Receiv-ed.

| From Department of Internal Affairs stating in reply to a request for a totalisator permit to run a benefit hospital meeting in April next, and promising consideration at a later date.— Received. A number of letters dealing with accounts for maintenance were received and dealt with. REPORTS. The House Committee reported that the conditions at the hospital were satisfactory; recommending Air Freitas be appointed dairyman and the carrying out of a number of small matters. —Received. Accounts amounting £'s7l 5s were passed for payment. The Treasurer reported receipts £1579 Is; payments £954 13s lid; debit balance £1413 18s lid; building account receipts £1325 2s lid: payments £1154 16s sd.—Received. Tlio Treasurer’s half-yearly statement was road and laid on tile table Tlie Board rose at 10.10 p.m.