WESTLAND HOSPITAL BOARD

Hokitika Guardian, 9 October 1923, Page 1

WESTLAND HOSPITAL BOARD

-MONDAY, OCT. 3th

The Board met at 8 p.m. Present: Messrs .1. J. Breeze (Chairman), T. W. Duff, 0. Davidson, 0. 11. Blank, IL Meharrv, A. B. Spiers, E. A. Wells. Apologies were made for the absence of Mr .Morel. The minutes were confirmed and outward correspondence approved. INWARD CORRESPONDENCE. From I)r Yalintine, Wellington, approving of appointment of Sister Hamilton as Matron of Westland Hospital.—Received. From Same, enclosing copy of Mi Allen’s report in reference to Waiho cottage. Received. From Minister of Health, approving of proposal for erection of old People’s Home at Hokitika.—Received. From Dr Yalintine, in reference to maternity hospitals, and enclosing re-. port of Committee of Board of Health on same.—Received ; consideration deferred . From Commissioner of Crown Lauds, notifying the vesting of laws in Westland Hospital Board.—Received.

From D. J. Evans, District Coroner, notifying the delay recently in the securing of the services of the motor ambulance, and suggesting that other arrangements he made with a view to securing quicker attention when necessary ; also eulogising the services of the nursing stall' at hospital on the occasion of a recent accident.—. Received. It was resolved that the suggestion to have keys of the motor ambalance shed placed in the. hands of police with authority to use ambulance when necessary on securing it competent driver, when the usual drivers are not available. From Ross Borough Council, forwarding monthlv levy C'ii 10* 3d.—Received. From Master, Kumara Home, in roferetire lo renting doctor’s residence at Kumara.—-Received. The Secretary had replied ami had received rental on terms offered, for three months in advance. From Same, applying for annual leave lo take effect from Nov Ist. Received and request granted. From ,1. Murphy, Kumara, in reference to meat supply for Kumara Imho. -Received. Mr Spiers said he had asked Mr Stewart il he was prepared to supply on the prices i hey wore paying Mr Murphy and lie had agreed to do so. Mr Davidson said he understood ilia) Air Spiers M‘as to obtain tenders for the meat supply. The Secretary pool i lie minute which -tati-d the mattr r uas referred to Mr Spiers to arrange. Mr .Murphy lists present, in eoiir.eetion with the matter, and expressed his surprise at the action taken by Alt' Spiers in placing his prices before another firm. 'lhe Chairman said the matter had been referred to Mr Spiers and that ended the matter as far as the Board m;is concerned. Mr Spier* said the prices offered by Air M.urphy Mere placed before .Mr Stcivart ivlto agreed to supply on those terms, mouth about with Mr .Murphy. .Mr Davidson said the feeling of the Board ivus that tenders he called. The Chairman moved that the action of Mr Spiers be approved.—Seconded by Afr Meharrv and carried. From I’icton Board, conveying resolution in favour of maternity bonuses.—. Received. J

From .M.ntron Head. Kumara. asking for animal leave.—Received. The Cliairnian stated he luid authorised the leave as a suitable snh-tiiiuc was available.--Approved. From Dr lie.ml. applying for annual leave. Received and granted. Dr Teiehelimtiin acting as locum Uncus. From Matron, in reference in annual leave for other members of Ihe -1 a ft.— R ecei veil.

From .Mabel Atkinson, eiU|iiiring as to requirements for district nurse in South West.la in I. — ilo eived and l.g-tl. Froili Chairman Matron Little mmit tee, applying for permission to erect a meiiioriui to the late Mata in Little in front of the hospital buildings.—Received and refinesl granted.

From Residetil Engineer, Giryliunilll. slating subsidy to Otirn ITospiial was granted to end of Nepi.-m----her.—Received. The Chairniati stated that nothing definite hail been received in eennert.ion with (At ii n Hospital and he an: led that if the subsidy from the i’advay Department was not forthcoming inei; the Otira Hospilal would elo-e as p > i('solution of tlk' Poanl. Ree -. v-d. It was resolved that Mairon Dren- !,,- appointed Matron at Ofiia r, r two months. From Tims. Xolan. offering io lake insurance eivcr on Waiho collage.— Received. From John Friend, Wanganui. in reference to statutes. — Received and copies to he obtained. after Messrs Dull'. Davidson and Spiers had \oied against. DEPCTATTOX. Mr W. F.vcmlen waited on the Hoard in connection with the account oi the Kumara .Medical Committee and Hie Poanl. The question a I issue was whether they should pay for the period when there was no doctor available at Kumara. Tie held that the Committee should not 'he charged when there was no doctor available.

Mr Spiers asked what would lie done with the money when there will’d doctor.

The Cliairnian said the money would he paid into the Hoard.

.Mr Plank said the Hoard had to iind CKO per annum, towards the doctor.

Air Kvenden said if they had to find the difference between tKili Jan and May Oth. 1922. when there was no doctor, then there would he the difference in their accounts with the Hoard, to which they were taking exception. He asked the Chairman whether the Kumara Commil too had to find the £-12 odd in dispute. Xow he was there he would also ask as to the future. They intended to hold a public meeting at Kumara to decide as Vo future action, and would like to know what the Hoard would be prepared to do. Mr Duff sail! if the Hoard found more it would mean extra levies. The Chairman said it would he hotter to hold the matter over till the Hoard discussed the question; and Art Evonden agreed that this course would he advisable. The Chairman said the Hoard was in sympathy with the Kumara people and he felt that the Hoard would favourably consider the writing off of the £l2 in dispute. Aft- Hlank said the host course

M’oultl be for the Kumara people to hold a meeting and decide on the course of action. The Chairman'.said the Board would assist in every possible manner. Air Evcnden then withdrew. REPORTS. From Surgeon Superintendent, Westland Hospital, reporting for September there were in hospital on 01st August, .31 patients admitted, 19 males 11 females. Total treated 3G males 25 females—Gl. Discharged cured, 9 males, 11 females; relieved 3 males, 3 females; died, 4 males. Total discharged, 1G males. 14 females—3o. In hospital 30th Sept., 20 males, 11 females—3l. In hospital for two months 10 males, 2 females—l2.—Received. The Bye-laws as drafted were approved and confirmed and the tender of YY. E. Richards at €l3 9s accepted for printing same.

The Chairman moved a very hearty vote of thanks to the. ladies who had made such a success of the Hospital Ball.—Seconded by Air Duff and carried. The .Secretary slated the net result was €143 2s fid.

The House Committee reported that the new wing Mas incomplete owing lo the ivindow sashes not being completed ; that the Alanson ward balcony requires painting;, recommending that the concrete stoarge tank he proceeded with. —Received.

Mr Davidson moved that: application he made to the Minister for permission to erect a wnier Mower. —Seconded by Mr Wells and carried. It mots resolved Lo refer to Afr Allen the tender for €l3B for the erection of the tower. Accounts amounting to €Bl2 9s 10d ivere passed for payment. Air Jeffries took his seat.

The Treasurer reported receipts €1095 5s Id, payments €1339 3s 3d, debit balance .€299 9s Od, building account payments .0519 Is sd.—Renoir-

Mr Davidson moved that Mr .Stevenson be instructed to commence the fiei-tion of the Old People’s Home by day labour, as quickly as possible. Afr Davidson said Mr Stevenson had made a splendid job of the new wings, and these wore being erected at a very sutMfaelory cost.—Seconded by Afr Duff and carried. The Board rose at 10 p.m.