THAMES HOSPITAL BOARD

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXIV, Issue 4596, 10 August 1923, Page 4

THAMES HOSPITAL BOARD

MONTHLY MEETING. qhe monthly meeting of the Thames Hospital Board was held on Wednesday afternoon. Present: Messrs W. E. Hale (chairman), J. W. Danby, D. McKay, H. L. Berney P. Brenan, W. J. Hall,, W. Kennedy, A. Robinson, W. Baker, and the secretary, Mr J. Tonge. An apology was received from Mr G. Death. DISTRICT NURSE. The Medical Officer of Health, Auckland, wrote advising that the Department had no objection to the district nurse for natives being stationed at Paeroa instead pf Thames. The nurse would arrive about the 18ui instant. He asked whether the board would consider purchasing a horse for the nurse’s use. The chairman said that the nurse had left on June 1 on 14 days’ leave. SLo had been temporarily appointed matron of an hospital in Auckland. Members remarked that it was strange that the department should do this without notifying the board. It was decided that a letter be sent to the Health Department protesting against its action. It was decided to purchase a horse for her use, and the matter was left hi the hands of the chairman. appreciation. Mr G. H. Taylor, Paeroa, wrote expressing his thanks to Dr, Ritchie for the skill and attention given to his daughter, and also to the sister and nurses of the surgical ward foi their unremitting care and kindness shown during his daughter’s stay in the hospital. The chairman said that it was nice to receive letters of appreciation such as this. COAL SUPPLIES. M. Verran and Son, coal merchants, wrote offering to deliver coa,l at 37s 6d a ton net. The chairman said that this mai had taken over the agency for the Glen Afton collieries and desired to work up a connection. Coal from Pukemiro was costing 37s 8d a ton, but a great deal of difficulty had been experienced in obtaining regular supplies. At present there w f is a shortage owing to stop-work meetings delaying fulfilment pf orders. Mr Brenan moved that Mr Verran's offer be accepted for twelve months or longer,, at the discretion of the board, the contract to be terminated at one month’s notice on either side. The motion was seconded by Mr Kennedy and carried. REPORTS. The resident, surgeon, Dr, J. Ritchie, reported that during the month 38 males and 23 females had been admitted and 31 males and 27 females discharged, leaving 31 males and 23 females in the institution. Twenty-nine male and 5 female outpatients had received treatment, and 14 operations had been performed on males and 12 on females. He also reported that the new dark room for the X-ray was nearing completion, and was a very great improvement. The superintendent of the district homes at Tararu, reported that the number of inmates was unchanged. Seventeen men and four women were in the institution, and their conduct during the month was very good. Everything in connection with the institution was running nicely, and the inmates appeared to be doing well. Very little cultivation could be done on the farm during the month. All the stock were looking .well, and there wcnld be plenty of feed. The farm products sold totalled 3% tons of hay and two tons of mangolds. The chairman said that he had been out to the homes and found everything in order. The district nurse, Patetonga, reported that she had visited, twelve patients during the month. The reports were adopted. HOSPITAL CONFERENCE, The clerk* reported on the visit of the chairman and himself to the recent hospital conference held at Wellington to consider the taking over from the Health Department the sanatoria at Pukeroa and Otaki. The conference had decided not to take over the sanatoria, and Dr. Valintine had remarked that he had not expected that they would, but nothing could be gained without asking. The report was received and the delegates thanked for attending. VISITING COMMITTEES. The following committees were appointed: Hospital, .Messrs Brenan and Danby ; homes, Messrs Kennedy and Berney. BOARD MEETINGS. It was decided that in future the regular meetings of the Board should be held on the second Monday in the month. MATERNITY HOME. Mr Allsop, the Board’s architect, waited upon the Board and discussed alterations to the plans, of the maternity home. It was suggested that a verandah, a pantry, and other minor details be omitted. Finally it was agreed on Mr Brenan’s motion that a contract be let to the lowest tenderer on the lines suggested ny the architect.