Westland Hospital Board

Hokitika Guardian, 14 November 1922, Page 4

Westland Hospital Board

MONDAY, NOV 13th

The Board met at 8.10 p.m. Present: Messrs J. J. Breeze (Chairman), G. Davidson, AV. H. Chinn, AV. Jeffries, IF. Monk, J. Ritchie and L. H. Morel. The minutes were confirmed and outward correspondence approved. INAA r ARD CORD ESPONDENCE. From Pensions Department, Wellington, in refrenoe to a maintenance account for a soldier patient.—Received. From Postmaster, Hokitika, in reference to the permanent closing of Potter’s Creek telephone office, near AA’ailio.—Received and agreed to. From Otaki Sanitorium, report on condition of a patient.—Received. From Hawkes Bay Board enclosing accounts for maintenance.—Received; referred to patients’ parents for payment.

From- Mrs E .0. Smith. AVataroa, offering her services in that district in any cases of serious illness.—Received and a vote of appreciation of offer was passed. From Kumarn Borough Council forwarding Cf 3s Od.—Received.

From R, C. Irwin, Nelson in connection with a missing letter. —Received and replied to. From M. Andrewes, resigning position us typiste.—Received and accepted with regret, a motion appreciative of past, services to he recorded. It was further resolved that the Chairman take the necessary action to fill the position. From Airs Gibson, Sydney, resigning position as matron at Otira. —Received and accepted. From Otira Committee in reference to saino. and stating Dr Gibson bad returned, and resumed lii.s duties; forwarding £6l contributions. —Received. Mr Davidson suggested that the Chairman endeavour to fix up the troubles cans:d by the medical officer. Tho Chairman said that Dr Gibson was not giving satisfaction, and he moved that lie he asked to relinquish fits position. Seconded by Mr Jeffries and carried • A number of letters dealing with maintenance and other matters "ere received and dealt with. On several letters it w?is resolved to decline to withdraw summonses issued for maintenance. writers being referred to the Board’s solicitors for arrangements. Tho Secretary submitted a report on the finances for .the period.—Received.

In connection with the housing of the motor ambulance it was resolved tlia ttliroe sections in South Revell St he purchased at a cost of £3O. The Secretary reported that the sum of >3B would bo available early next month from tho Motor Ambulance Committee.

It was resolved that the horse ambulance lie sent to South AA’cslland to be stationed where the southern residents agree upon.

Following a suggestion made by Mr Chinn it was resolved to apply to the Defence Department for a wheeled stretcher for South AVestland. Air Clfinn asked what steps wire being taken in connection with the

South AA'estlaiid nurse. Nurse Gunn, lie understood, would not be able to resumo her duties for some months, and the positon ought to be filled, tempor-

arily at least. Mr Davidson said they recognised that the people of South Westland were entitled to a nurse.

Mr Chinn suggested that the services of the South AVestland nurse be discontinued for a, time, until the eoitage at AA’aiho was erected. The money saved could be utilised in suh-uJi-ing any necessary assistance to southern patients. ■

Afr Alonk supported tlie suggestion. Alessrs Alorel and Jeffries also agreed tlmt the engagement should bo cancelled. tho latter stating the present position was very unsatisfactory to the people of the .southern district. Air Chinn then moved that the services of the South AVestland nurse be terminated and that the filling of tlie position fie deferred till tlie cottage at AA’aiho is completed. In reply to a question the Secretary stated that no application lor leave had boon made by Nil me Gunn. After further discussion Air Ritchie seconded the motion which was agreed to.

Afr Chinn looted that tlie Board assist, when necessary in any case of serious illmss in the far South. Seconded bv Air Ritchie anti carried.

The House Committe reported on matters at the hospital at satisfactory and that further application be made for ’.lie promised grant of £S()0 for the infectious hospital.-—Received.

Accounts amounting to £382 12s 9d were passed for payment. The Treasurer reported receipts £1272 11s 7d; payments .£1055 (is Bd. overdraft £1205 16s Od ; expenditure on building account £695 (is 3d.— lie:l ived.

SOUTH AVESTLAND AFFAIRS. REPORT BV AIR JEFFRIES. RE AVATHO GORGE HOSPITAL COALAIITTEE. In compliance with a request contained in your letter of 21st nlto. (tearing on the matter of a conference , with the above Committee, relative to , the liiteli in connection with the cioci lion of a Nurses cottage at the AA’aiho , and the handling over to this Board the funds collected by the southern people for that object I respectfully beg to report as follows: | Accompanied by Air A\’. H. Chinn and Mr D. Nolan of Okaru I atte.nde the conference at the AVailio Gorge Hotel on the evening of the 25th of October and there met the following representatives of South AA’estlantl. Air AA r . D. Nolan representing Okitni and Bruce Bay contributors, ATr Louis Gibb representing AA’eheka. and AVaiktikupn, Air Alex Graham and John Schilling (Secy, to Board Committo), representing AVailio Gorge, Mr James Green and Charles Donovan representing Tatare, Messrs T. A. Condon and ,Ja-s Donovan representing The Forks and Oknrito, Air Frank Gunn, representing Tctaho. Afatniiiiu was not directly represented. The meeting was presided over by Air James Green. The Conference which lasted for three hows discussed, at great length , the site for the nursci’s cottage and the banding over of the foods collect- j od, and I have pleasure in advising that the following decisions were arruu d at. (1) —That tho representatives present arc satisfied that the Board’s delay in the erection of the nurso’s_ cottage on tlie south side of tlie AA aiho has been unavoidable, owing to inability to secure a good title to the chosen situ which difficulty has now been overcome by provision made for same in j the AVn'shing-up. Bill just through Par-: fiament. i (O) That the local Committee now agrees to band to the AA’estland Hos- j pitnl and Charitable Aid Board tlie j funds collected for the erection of the j nurse’s cottage with a request that the ; work bo gone on with as soon as possible. (The amount collected being ap- j proximate!.)’ £200). ! On tho Conference agreeing to the above I personally undertook to om-

mit the Board to the speedy commenceiment of the work mentioned and trust that now the matter has ended amicably boween all parties this work of neetßsity will be gone on with. in regard to the furniture now stored in tlie nurse’s cottage at Tatarc I have arranged on behalf of the Board to allow this to he removed to the AVailio Gorge Hotel. Mr Alex Graham lias generously undertaken to kayo same taken to the Hotel at bis own cost and there stored free for the [Board until such time as it is in a position to have it removed to the new nurse’s cottnge when he undertakes to hand it over in good order and condition. AYith the concurrence of Ah- Chinn I promised the AVailio Gorge* Committee that the horse ambulance would be sent to either AAaiho or Matainui for the use of the people iu urgent ease of accident or sickness if they arrange with one of tin; settlers for .the housing of same, it being understood that the use of same is intended for bringing urgent cases north until nut by the motor ambulance and thereby saving considerable delay iu reaching medical or first aid. I trust tlie conclusions arrived at are now satisfactory to all concerned and I feel that tho Board can count upon the hearty co-operation ol the people south in matters making for the relief of suffering and sickness in that somewhat isolated portion ol the Board’s territory. I would like to record my thanks to Air Graham for liis friendly reception to the Conference and also for providing the meeting-room free. p.S. Tlie following is the motion concerning the above matters. Air I'. Gunn dissenting. That this meeting of delegates in (/inference with tlie AVestland Hospital Board members agree to hand over to the Board the funds collected for the purpose of providing a nurse’s cottage at AVailio Gorge and teat the Board be respectfully urged to proceed with tho erection of such cottage on tho site chosen oil the south side of the AVailio river and that Air Schilling (local Secretary) be asked to advise tho AVataroa delegate of this decision, and if any subscriber to the fund in that district disapprove of the cours; of action decided upon by this Conference lie be allowed to obtain a re fund of such contribution within 14 days from tho 26th Oct.

Tlie motion was moved.by Air John Donovan and seconded by Air Louis Gibb.—Received. Air Davidson moved tho Board record their thanks to Messrs Jeffries and Chinn and that tho Board adopt the report submitted. Seconded by Air Ritchie. Air Chinn endorsed the report, considering tin positon was now satisfactory. Ho pointed out that the misunderstanding that had arisen had not been caused by the Board’s secretary, but appeared to be due to the correspondence sent to the AVailio Committee setting out the facts, not having been brought before the 'southern committee. Mr Alonk enquired n any statement had

been made by the south people as to the tpiota for the furniture. Air Jeffries stated in reply that the matter had not been discussed, but he was quite satisfied that any promise made would be kept, and that the £2OO for the; cottage would come to hand at an early date. The Chairman said lie was glad to know that what had been a very tedious question bad been settled. lln motion was then agreed to. The Chairman then moved that application he made to the Alinister of Health for permission to erect a four roomed nurse’s cotiage on the south side of AVailio. Seconded by Air Jeffries and carried. The Board rose at 10.35 p.m.