WESTLAND HOSPITAL BOARD

Hokitika Guardian, 19 November 1929, Page 2

WESTLAND HOSPITAL BOARD

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 13th. The Board met at 8 p.m. Present: Messrs ,T. ,T. Breeze (Chairman), G. Davidson, J,.ylij. Turner, R. Meharry, AY. Jeffrie's, W. Evenden, M. Keenan, and T. W. Duff. Tl:e minutes were confirmed and outward correspondence approved.

DEPUTATION.

A deputation from Hibernians and Druids waited on the Board, consisting of Messrs W. Robinson,'J. Burns,- F. Groufsky, J. Fox, and C. J. Sanders. Mr W. Robinson addressed the Board requesting that members of the fiiendly societies be granted full hospital treatment at 10s per. annum. It was pointed out that .there were about 110 Druids and 50i Hibernians who would come under the- scheme. The members of the societies were medically examined before admission to the Society. It was also mentioned that though the Board granted charitable aid totalling £4OO, members of the friendly societies did not receive any.

Mr J. .Burns supported the statement generally outlined. Mr Turner .urged the Board to accept the offer of the Friendly Societies to pay 10s per year. Mr J. Fox appealed from a humanitarian point of view to favourable consideration of their request.

Mr TV, Evenden mpved that the Board grant the request of the deputation.

Mr Jeffries did not think the deputation came before them fully informed of the financial position. It was a question whether the Board could legally accept the offer of 10s per annum. Before any decision is'tome to it is the duty of the Board, to fully consider the financial position and give an answer at next Board meeting. He moved that the deputation be thanked for their attendance and that the Board’s reply be given at next meeting. Mr Duff seconded the motion. He thought, the position : needful careful consideration. Mr Turner/' thought the-'deputation had made out a yery good case, and he saw no reason for the Board not granting the request. ,

Mr Keenan objected to references made in regard to timber workers. The Chairman thought 10s per annuni was. top. little and that the friendly societies should come into line .at the same amount as the timber workers.

. Mr Burns stated the 10s a year was a,basis for negotiation. The friendly societies were prepared to meet the Board as they thought fit. The motion was agreed to;

The 1 Chairman thanked tile deputation for their attendance, Mr Robinson replied and the deputation l withdrew,

The Board later discussed the request of the deputation. Mr Duff considered the deputation had-made *o.ut a-fair case but the sum of 10s per year was not sufficient. Mr Turner thought the offer was a very fair one, and that the request should be granted friendly societies. Mr Keenan thought friendly societies shbMd ’pay the' 1 same as timber workers'! *

The Chairman thought that, the friendly societies wanted the benefit at a reduction on what the timber workers

were paying.

Mr Jeffries quoted figures of what were pjaid in other centres, from 10s to 35s per year. The Board could not from a financial viewpoint consider any reduction* to the charges made to timber workers. The Chairman moved that friendly societies be admitted at the .same terms as timber workers. Seconded by Mr Keenan. 1 .

Mr Turner, moved that friendly society members be admitted at 10s per year. Seconded by Mr Evenden. The amendment was put and lost, Messrs Turner and Evenden voting in favour. The Chairman’s motion was then put and carried.

IMVARP CORRESPONDENCE. From Minister of Health, Wellington, various letters in connection with the proposal to erect a doctor’s residence at Matainui, referring to deputation that waited on him at Hokitika, in connection with- the provision of a residence for the medical officer in South Westland; stating he was being urged, by South Westland residents to bring the matter to an early issue.— Received.

From Dr Bell, Harihari, advising that the cottage at Waiho is not a suitable location for a residence for the medical officer, and referring to a conference with the chairman.—Received. From Dr Valintine, Wellington, stating he considered the best location for tl:e medical officer’s residence was at Waiho.—Received. The Chairman said he had distinctly told the Minister that the Board could not find the .£SOO. Mr Jeffries said the Board in the past had found the major portion of the money for the erection of a cottage at Waiho, but it was now unused for that purpose. Now they wanted the Board to find £SOO to erect a doctor’s residence. There was no obligation for the Board to find a residence for the medical officer. . He thought, that the Board should reply to the Minister stating the' position of the Board. Mr Dayidson said at the deputation to the Minister the question of guarantee of payment was made, hut there was no promise made to the Minister that

the Board would guarantee the raising of a loan.

Mr Jeffries said the Board agreed to find the salary for the doctor, but there was no liability whatever to find a residence.

Mr Duff supported this position. After a further discussion it was resolved to write the Minister stating the Board considered Waiho the most central position, and that the use of the Board’s cottage there was offered, and to write to Dr Bell on similar lines. From Hon. A. J. Stallworthy (Minister of Health) stating advice oi amount of grant for maternity home would be supplied ns soon as the Public Works Department reported.—Received.

From Sir A. P. Xgata (Native Minister) in reference to payment of fees in a deceased’s native’s estate.—Received.

From Hospital Board’s Association on same subject.—Received. From North Canterbury Hospital Board in reference to agreement in reference to treatment of tuberculosis, as agreed to at a recent conference. Received.

Mr Davidson reported on the conference at Christchurch which he attended on behalf of the Board. The Canterbury Board had made a very generous offer in connection with the movement which the delegates unanimously accepted. He moved that the Board approve of the agreement .submitted. Mr Keenan seconded the motion voicing his appreciation of : the veny) complete manner in which the institution was being carried on. The motion was agreed to. *

Mr Evenden moved a hearty .vote of thanks to Mr Davidson for so. ably representing the Board at the .conference. Seconded iby' the' chairman -and‘canned. From Canterbury Hospital Board in I‘eference to the movement for a cancer campaign in New Zealand, and suggesting that the subject be locally brought before the general public. Received; the Board resolved to give every support to the movement. From Westland County Council applying for permission to take gravel from the Board’s gravel pit on Arahura road.—Received and request granted. From fit/' Burke, resigning position as second assistant in laundry.—Re-, ceived and accepted.

From Red Cross Executive thanking Board for allowing Matron Lloyd to examine Sputli West,hand . candidates. — Received. i .

j., REPORTS.

From Surgeon-Superintendent reporting on 30th September there were patients in the hospital—2l males, 19 -females—lo; admitted during October 27 males, 19 females—46; total treated, 48 males, .38 females—B6; discharged cured, .26 males, 26 females; relieved, 1 female; .died,. 2 males, 1 female. Total discharged, 23 males,. 28 females —56. Remaining in hospital at 3lst October 20 , males, 10 females—3o. Patients over two months—B. —deceived,

Thb Sub-Committee (Messrs Davidson and Duff) reporting on enquiries in reference to. nurses holiday hours, recommended that an extra probationer nurse be. provided, and thereby enabling a nurse a holiday once a fortnight and that the annual leave be reduced from six weeks to four weeks. —Received. Mr Meharry moved the report be adopted. Seconded by Mr Keenan and carried. The House Committee reported conditions at the hospital were fairly/satisfactory.—Received and approved. Mr Davidson also reported that, a man in a car from Greymouth had caused a disturbance by driving up to the hospital near midnight the previous night. He had careered round the hospital in the car and then had entered the 'staff residence and opened the door of a bedroom, being ordered out. He then left in his car but returned later and rang the front dooi - hell, causing annoyance and disturbing the patients. The police had been ’phoned for,, but did not arrive till an hour later when the man had disappeared. He urged that the Board take steps to prevent a recurrence of the annoyance. The staff and patients should have every protection that the Board could possibly give. Mr Keenan moved that the police be written to and asked .to take action. Seconded by Mr. Meharry and carried.

Accounts amounting to £373 2s were passed for payment. , The Treasurer reported receipts £1357 19s fid; payments £1127 14s 2d; credit balance £IO3B 2s 10d.—Received. Tenders for painting at the maternity home were received from G. Hnussnrann £37 ss, A. Howe £49 18s fid. Consideration was deferred. The Chairman moved that all overdue accounts unpaid on 31st December be sued for. Seconded by Mr Jeffries and carried.

The meeting terminated at 10.20 p.m