THAMES HOSPITAL BOARD

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXII, Issue 4331, 17 October 1921, Page 4

THAMES HOSPITAL BOARD

MONTHLY MEETING. The monthly meeting of the Thames Hospital and Charitable Aid Board was held on Wednesday. Present: Messrs W. J, McCormick (chairman), W. H. Baker, W. J. Hall,'6. Death, W. E. Hale, J Rowe, H. Johnstone, and P. Brenan. WAIHI HOSPITAL. Letters were received from the Hon. C. J. Parr, and Mr T. W. Rhodes, M.P., regarding the admission of Waihi to the Thames district. The Minister said that he was .obtaining a report on the matter. Mr Rhodes stated that he intended to interview the Minister regarding the proposal. NATIVE NURSES. The Medical Officer of Health advised that District Nurse Walker, who was away on leave, had been Called upon by Dr. Buck to assist with urgent cases in the district where she was spending her holiday. Her return might be delayed, but if any urgent, .cases were reported among the Maoris in this district the nurse in tlie adjacent district would attend to them. The chairman said he thought the nurse should be in the district when an epidemic was He thought the nurse should ibe here to organise matters,. ' Mr H, 'Johnstone moved that the board should write to Dr. Hughes, asking that the nurse should be left | in the district. i Mr Brenan seconded the motion, j Mr Rowe thought that if the De- j partment gave the nurse a holiday they should send someone in her place. FIRE ESCAPES. The superintendent of the Fire Bri- j gade recommended that a fire escape ( should be provided at the front and also at the back of the nurses’ home. | The Chairman : The fire escape was J not overlooked in the plans, but the hospital buildings have no fire escapes, and the architect did not, think they were necessary. It was decided that the letter should be sent on to the architect, ! REPORTS.

The resident surgeon reported that during the month 48 males and 39 females had been admitted to t,he hospital; and 31 males and 27 females discharged, leaving 41 males and 31 females in the hospital. During the month' the number of cases of scarlet fever had increased so much that the old nurses’ home had tp be used to accommodate them., The month had been very heavy for medical cases, averaging 62 cases for the month. The new X-ray apparatus' had been installed, but there was some defect in the transformer apparatus. The report was adopted.. The engineer reported that the inspector of machinery had inspected and passed the boilers. Some work was required on the brick work. During the month 54 tons of coal had been delivered and 45 tons used, The report, was adopted.

The superintendent of the District Homes reported that the grounds

were in good order. Another paddock had been put down in lucerne. He had got through the winter without having to buy any food for stock, and they kept, a beast to the acre. The report was adopted. PATETONGA. Mr J. F. Mayn, hon, secretary of the Pate,tonga branch of the Farmers’ Union, wr.ote : “In reply tp your last query I beg to state that no promise was made or arrangement come to that the nurse’s board would be paid by the settlers, nor was such a settlement inferred.”

The chairman said that there was no chance to get the Minister to build a place and they would not. find the accommodation.

Mr Hall: They won’t help thejrtselves lik,e the Ngatea people.

Mr Hall said .that 30s a week for the year equalled £7B. If Che settlers put up £4O they could have had the nurse. The board had made a very liberal offer. He moved that the board should reply that unless the settlers would find accommodation the board was 'not prepared to sta.tipn a nurse at Pate Conga. MISCELLANEOUS.

The Mpngonui Hospital Board asked if the Board would admit an old man to the District Home.

The request, was granted..

The Kawakawa Board telegraphed asking if an old man flora that district could be admitted, and it w.as decided to grant the application. . Messrs Death and Baker were appointed a homes committee and Messrs Brenan and Hall a hospital committee.

' Accounts amounting tp £1705 7s Id were passed for payment.

The Taumaranui Board wrote regarding an applicant for assistance, who was a charge upon that board. The secretary asked if the applicant was making any attempt to help herself, as ‘otherwise the board did not feel inclined t,o give assistance.

The secretary stated that in a letter

written by the applicant to the Tau-

marunui Board she stated that she intended to take in sewing.

Sister White was granted a month’s vacation. The sum pf £lO was passed for payment to the Hauraki Ladles’ Benevolent Society.