WESTLAND HOSPITAL BOARD

Hokitika Guardian, 11 September 1923, Page 4

WESTLAND HOSPITAL BOARD

MONDAY, SECT. 101 li. The Board met at 8 p.m. [’resent Messrs J. J. Breeze (Chairman). G. 11. Blank. W. .Jeffries, A. B. Spiers. T. W. Dull', E. A. "Wells, and G. Davidson. An apology was made for the absence of Mr Morel. The minutes of the ordinary meeting were confirmed mid correspondence outwaid approved. SRECTAL MEETING MINUTES. The minutes of a special meeting of the Board held on Wednesday of last week stated as lollows: After con-

sideration of Dr. I’omnre’s letter, tho Board resolved, that they were quite willing tn be approached by the Grey Board with a view to the erection or an Old I’eoples’ Home adjoining Westland Hospital where there is an excellent site and plenty of room in conjunction with the Grey Board, but will not join issue with the Grey Roani for a combined homo at Greymoutli. Mr Allan (architect) reported that Charles Mills, contractor for Waiho cottage had not- erected the cottage as shown on the . plan, but had put tho front lip the river instead of fronting the river. It was decided to ask Mr (Mills to give an estimate of the cost to place cottage as shown on the plan, i.e. north-west and not nothenst as at present.

It was decided to allow £2 10s for shifting timber to site. A letter was read from Sister Burrell declining with thanks the appointment of matron at Westland Hospital. It was decided to terminate the appointment of Sister Price, and all agreed to the position being offered to Sister Hamilton.

Mr Jeffries asked who authorised the alterations to the plans. He held the Board should not bo called on to pay any extra- expense.

Mr Davidson explained that the Board had authorised the Waiho Committee lo peg the site out. and when the carpenter had been laying out the area, the two representatives of the Waiho Committee had authorised the bimaer to alter the building round, so that now most of the sun would play on the kitchen and not on front of the building. When Mr Alien visited the site a fortnight ago he entered a strong objection and asked that the building bo altered so as to conform with the ground plan ns drawn out by him.

Mr Duff said a substantial amount would be necessary to make a road to the cottage and also a large culvert. Why the cottage was placed away back in the bush as it was he could not understand. A very grave mistake had been made to erect the building where it was.

The Chairman said there was' only one thing to do and that was to pay. That was what tb e Board always had to do in the end. Personally he was sick and tired of the very thought of South Westland. There was nothing but a continual worry and dissatisfac*

tion;over their relations with the southern people. Dir Jeffries said the site was left to the Waiho Committee to select, hut they were not authorised to change the direction the building should face.

Mr Blank said the present position was a reflection on the architect, and ho favored the alteration being made. Mr Jeffries objected to the Board paying oven £’2o to change the building round. Mr Davidson disagreed with Mr Duff as ho considered that the site was a good one. It was chonsen by Air Allen and two members of the )) aiho Committee. The Committee had agreed to clear the site, but they had done absolutely nothing. He was satisfied that it was a good site and the proper position for tlio building. Mr Duff was not in favour of voting funds for the cost of clearing or loading. He thought it would be difficult to get a nurse to live there, away in the bush, lie was convinced that it would have been better to have a cottage at or near the hotel. There was a further expense involved of connecting up with the telephone, lie objected to any further expense.

Mr Wells said it appeared to him that the people at Waiho had not been competent to do what they had promised and the result was the present chaos. Mr .loffri os moved that the minutes he confirmed with the addition of the words;—“That the Hospital Board will not incur any liability in changing the alignment of the building so as to complete it in accordance with Mr Allen’s plan; Mr Mills to be advised that the building he completed as it at present stands. Seconded by Mr Duff.

Mr Blank moved an amendment, that the minutes be confirmed as read. Mr Davidson said lie favored Mr Blank's amendment, but ho thought it would be advisable to let the work go on as it was, as lie was ol opinion that the collage would never be occupied by a nurse. The amendment lapsed. T.ie motion was 11 ion agreed to.

DEPUTATION. Mr W. Robertson of the Otira Committee waited on the Board in connection with tho Board’s proposal to close Otira Hospital. He stated that at a meeting at Otira on Sunday last. 40 persons being present, it was resolved to request the Board to continue the hospital. He asked the Board to give the people a chance. He had a list of 105 names willing to subscribe, and of these only 10 were former subscribers. The Arthur’s Pass people were also prepared to assist and pay in Is a week instead of at present !sd. the other !)<l now going to Christchurch hospital. He asked for the hospital to bo continued for two months to give the people in the district- a chance to show what they were prepared to d> and to give an opportunity for tho railwaymen to approach the- Department for a grant of £30!) a year. The See,rotary .staled the subsidy to tho Otira. hospital at present, end ed next week.

The Chairman considered the propos als made were of a very fair nature and lie favored the request being acceded to.

Mr Dull' thought the proposal a fail one and he would move that the petition of the Oliia Committee ho acceded to and the hospital continued for two months, to enable a further

appeal to be made to the Railway Department for a subsidy, and lading this being received, the hospital be then closed.

Mr .Jeffries said he was in sympathy with the claims of Hie Otira people. Imt they bad to look at the matter limn a purely 'business point of view. They could not carry on the hospital at a loss. He favored the residents having an opportunity to make their offer good. If,, seconded the motion, w liieh was agreed to.

Mr .Roboi'tsou was empowered 1

collier with ihc staff, v it's a i ion Lo continuing to ait for a lurtliv! two months, a nurse to be ■'iranecd. lor when Dr. East’s lerm conclude-. it being agreed to by Mr Robertson tliaL ;tho (supply of a. •certiiidn.ted nurse would meet tbo residents wishes, when Dr. East’s term expires. it was resolved that an endeavor be made at iiiu’e to secure a suitable

Mr Robertson thanked the Board for the consideration and their decision. which he consideied very satisfactoiy, and then withdrew. INWARD CORKESI’OND'ENC E.

From Hon. W. F. Massey, Wellington, acknowledging request for grant of £2,0t)0 for Old Peoples’ Home, and promising consideration. —Received. From! Department c£ Health. i;e ret u in s.—Reec i vod,

Emm Dr. l’oniare. in reference ol plans for Old People.-' Horne, at Hokitika, and suggesting that the Board should confer with the, Grey Hospital Bonsd, with a view to the erection of an Old Peoples’ Home for the joint district at Hokitika.—Received: dealt with at special meeting. From Dr. Vnlintine, notifying the site of Westland Hospital, and other reserves were being vested in the Board.—Received.

From Hon. If. L. Mieliel. in reference to amendments to the Hospital Act in connection with subsidy on contributions.—Received. From James O’Brien, M.P., Wellington, advising delay in making request for grant of ,02.000 for f).P. Homo aL I lokitika.— Received. From Nurse Price, Lit connection with her application as Matron.—Received.

From Nurse Hamilton notifying she would be able lo take up duties as Matron on .Sept. 15.—Received. From Calkin, Galloway and Odder, Dunedin, on behalf of Dr. East, claiming salary up lo the end of January. —Received. From Sister E. Maine, Waikato, enquiring particulars of nurse required for South Westland.—Received and replied to. From Mabel Atkinson, Invercargill, to same effect.—Received. From Miss Ida Lewis, resigning her position as probationer, at Westland Hospital.—Received and accepted with regret allowance io be made for holidays due to her.

From Taiminruniii Hospital Board, asking for information re Otira hospital.—Received. From Auckland Hospital Board, re proposed amendments to the Act.—Received.

From M. Burrell declining offer of appointment as matron at Westland Hospital.—Received. From M. Murphy. Kumara, in connection with prices for meat-, and notifying increased charges.—Received; referred to Mr Spiers to deal with.

From A. W. Peebles. Ross, in reference to medical fund.—Received.

From Registrar of Pensions asking for returns weekly.—Received. From G. Pamment. Kumara, in reference to the Kumara medical fund.— Received. Mr Spiers said there was some difference in the figures, as between the Board and the medical fund. He asked that consideration be held over till next meeting, when (Mr Evendon would come down and discuss the question.

Mr Bruce stated his figures, as supplied were absolutely correct. Fom Chas. Rose. Greyniouth. quoting for coal.—Received.

From Resident Engineer, Otira, in reference to' water supply for Otira Hospital.—Received. The Secretary submitted a list of outstanding accounts and it was resolved that- action be taken against

all unpaid on 30th. Sept., the Secretary iboing authorised to act on behalf, of the Board. REPORTS. The House Committee reported con<l it ions satisfactory. The -Matron acknowledged receipt*; of books from .Messrs .Spence and Schroder, rabbits from Mr T. Ecdesfield and repairs to sewing machine, by Mr Peters. Accounts amounting to £92" 2s 5d were passed for payment. The Treasurer reported—Receipts £1330 11s 8d; payments £lOl7 10s 4d; credit balance £lO 8s lOd; building account expenditure £192 13.5. The Secretary reported, admissions during month as 38, discharges 25.—Received.

The Chairman expressed his regret that the Surgeon Superintendent’s report was not available. The Hoard rose at 10.15 p.m.