WESTLAND HOSPITAL BOARD

Hokitika Guardian, 13 August 1929, Page 2

WESTLAND HOSPITAL BOARD

MONDAY, AUGUST 12th. The Board met at 8.25 p.m. Present: Messrs J. J. Breeze (Chairman), G. Davidson, J. L. Turner, A. R. Elcock, W. Evenden, E. A. Wells, T. W. Duff, M. Keenan and R. Meharry. An apology was made for the absence off Mr Jeffries. . The minutes were confirmed and outward correspondence approved. MOTION OF SYMPATHY. The Cliairmart', referred to the death of Mr James Meharry, a well-known settler of the district and moved that the Board convey its deep sympathy to Mr Robert Meharry, a member of the Board, in the loss he had sustained. The motion was carried in silence, members standing. INWARD CORRESPONDENCE.

From Dr Valentine, Wellington, asking for returns and notifying visit to Hokitika. —Received and action taken approved. From Hospital Boards Conference, various circulars. —Received. The Chairman -moved that a letter be sent congratulating Mr Keissenberg on his appointment as Secretary for Health. Seconded by Mr Duff and carried. From Grey Hospital Board forwarding report of conference of West Coast Boards with West: Coast Timber Work : ers’ Union.—Received. Dealt with in special report. From C. J. Sellers in reference to lease of railway reserve adjoining section held by Board.—Received. . The Chairman stated it was understood that the reserve was to be vested in the . Board, but as this had not been done, he thought the Board should take over’ the property previously allowed for use free of charge. This course was agreed to and it was deided to give one month’s notice to remove the buildings thereon. From N. Wylie, asking for annual leave. —Received and agreed to. From Hon. Minister of Health (Hon. A. J. Stallworthy) in reference to proposal to erect a doctor’s house at Harihari arid promising further letter later. —Received.

From Mrs McKay, Harihari, in reference to provision of a residence for the medical officer at Harihari and forwarding correspondence with the Minister of Health.—Received.

The! agreement with the Kanieri Electric Ltd. for supply of electric lignt was approved. Accounts amounting to £393 18s 7d were passed for payment. The Treasurer reported receipts £961 0s 8d; payments £787 7s Id; debit balance £6B 16s 7d.—Received.

REPORTS. From Surgeon-Superintendent, Westland Hospital, reporting patients in hospital July Ist, numbered 36. Admitted during July, 21 males, 29 females— 50.v'- Total treated, 46 males, 40 females—B6. Discharged cured—26 males, 18 females—44; relieved—2 males; died—2- females. Total discharged—4B. In hospital 31st July--18 males, 20 females—3B. In hospital for two months —7 males, 2 females 9.—Received.

SUB-COMMITTEE’S REPORT. We have the honour to report having attended the Conference of Boards and the Secretary of the Timber Workers’ Union at Grey Hospital Board’s rooms at 1 p.m. on July 17th, 1929. The Grey Board was represented by Messrs Brislane and Harker; Bullei Board, Hon. Mr Mclntyre; Inangahua Board, Messrs Auld and Nevin. The Hon. Mr Mclrityre was voted to the Chair. He opened the Conference by stating that he would like to see the agreement renewed; Mr Turley on behalf of the Timber Workers’ Union emphasised that prob-ably-a greater number of his members had availed themselves of the scheme during the first year than were likely to do so for the coming twelve months. The Grey representatives pointed out the last quarter of the expired year were the greater figures.

In reply to a question of the proportion of outpatients in Grey Hospital, the Secretary stated the out-patients fees were £9O for the year. Your delegates explained the position of our Board regarding facilities for outpatients. They could only receive outpatient treatment by going to Westland Hospital. After.a very candid discussion on the fees received for the past year, Mr Nevin moved that Clause 3 of_ the agreement be ..amended to read. 30s -(now 20s). 'Also amend same re guarantee to read £ISOO (now £1000). Seconded by Mr Harker. Before the amendment was moved, Mr Turley guaranteed the conference the sum of £1450 for coming year and a further £IOO if total fees exceed the present year’s amount £3821 11s. - Your delegates ( then moved an amendment that the Timber Workers’ Union be accepted as now offered by their Secretary, as it appeared the Union made out it was impossible to give further guarantee. This was put to the meeting and a division called, resulting as follows: For the amendment, Messrs Mclntyre, Brislane, Duff and Bruce. Against the amendment, Messrs Auld, Nevin, and Harker. The Chairman then put the amendment as the resolution and declared it earned, subject to the approval of the various Hospital Boards. A vote of thanks was carried to the chair.

A hearty vote of thanks was tendered to Mr Rouse, Secretary. Grey Hospital Board, and supported by all present.

Mr Harker then asked the Hon. Mr Mclntyre to convey to his Board and the people of their district the Southern Boards’ sincere regret and sympathy in the recent disaster. Mr Mclntyre thanked those present and assured the meeting that they were hard hit. In the adjustment of accounts it Was decided to include Westland Hospital, anaesthetist fees actually paid to their account, viz., £3O 9s for last year, omitting ambulance fees for which patients are responsible. The conference then adjourned to meet His Excellency, Sir Charles Ferguson. The delegates were shewn over the institution, which appears replete with many modern appliances, two features of the operating theatre being a chipped granite floor and adjustable operating lamp. —Received. The Chairman moved a vote of thanks to .Messrs Duff and Bruce for the careful representation. Seconded by Mr Davidson and carried.

The Chairman moved that the arrangement agreed to by the Conference be approved by the Board. Seconded by Mr Duff and earned.

The House Committee reported on various requirements for the institution. —Received. , The Chairman moved that Messrs Davidson and Duff act with the Mayor and Mr Cagney in reference to the earthquake relief. Seconded by Mr Turner and carried. Mr Evenden reported on action taken in regard to repairs to the doctor’s residence, • Kumara.—Received and action taken approved. The Auditor-General forwarded the annual balance sheet certified to as correct.—Received.

The next meeting was fixed for 9th September. The Board rose at 9.20 p.m.