THAMES HOSPITAL.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVI, Issue 4853, 15 July 1925, Page 4

THAMES HOSPITAL.

MONTHLY BOARD MEETING. The monthly meeting of the Tnames Hospital and Charitable Aid Board was held at Thames on Monday, the chairman (Mr W. E. Hale) presiding over the following: Messrs J. W. Danby, W. J. Hall, G. Death, A. R. Robinson, P. E. Branan, W. C. Kennedy, H. Li. Berney, J. H. Lange, J. Rowe, and the secretary (Mr G. Tonge). OVERDUE LEVIES. The acting Director-General of Health advised.that the Minister for Finance had approved of per cent, as the rate of interest payable for the current year on overdue levies to hospital boards. In answer to Mr Kennedy the chairman said that it was an unhealthy sign to learn that the rate of interest had been reduced. It was only tending to. allow local bodies to delay payment. Mr Danby pointed out that it. would allow local bodies to sit back and let the board act as bankers, but he wondered what would happen if the board could not arrange for an overdraft. The chairman said he hoped that such a position would never arise. GRANTING OF RELIEF. The secretary of the Hospital Boards’ Association wrote with regard to the recommendations of. the recent conference in the matter of section 72 ol the Act. Mr H. Poland, M.P., also wrote on the same subject and advised that the matter had been placed before the Minister and a reply was expected at an early date. Mr T. W. Rhodes, M.P. forwarded a similar reply. ADDITIONAL LEVY. The Paeroa Borough Council wrote advising that it agreed to the estimated contribution of interest • and capital towards the cost of erection ■of an isolation block and steam laundry. Mr Danby said that the letter displayed a very fine spirit, and it was gratifying to know that the council was prepared to treat the matter as one of. urgent district need. The chairman agreed. Mr Kennedy suggested that it would not be policy for the Paeroa Borough to object to a levy. The Thames Borugh Council also wrote on the subject, and stated that at a recent meeting of the council comment had been made on the large amount levied thiis year, by the board, and also, the manner‘in which the assessments had increased each year. The council had resolved to enter a protest against the steadily increasing cost of maintenance of the Thames Hospital. The chairman intimated that the matter was out of the hands of ttie board. DISTRICT NURSE. The District Health Office, Auckland, advised that Nurse J. M. Jarrett had been granted annual leave. Should there be any urgent need’for a district nurse’ts services the board was asked to commuincate particulars to Auckland. FRIENDLY SOCIETIES.

Mi' Danby intimated that the Waini board had withdrawn the privileges to friendly society patients,' and ne thought that- the ffical board should advise the societies that iji future the usual contribution, would not’be 'sufficient at Waihi. . Mr Kennedy considered that the action of the Waihi board would tend to influence friendly society patients to receive treatment at' Thames. The chairman said he believed that the Waihi board had come to the end of its tether, and the steps. wtere taken as a last measure. Mr Kennedy said that the board should notify the Waihi bo.ard that it would not be responsible for the payment of any fees unless the cases were certified to as requiring urgent treatment. BENEVOLENT! SOCIETY. The Hauraki Ladies’ Benevolent Society forwarded, accounts. ; totalling £l4 10s 9d and asked for the board’s usual donation of £lo'.—Granted. COMMITTEES- ' The following committees for the ensuing month were (set up - Hospital, Messrs Hall, Robinson; and Berney; Homes, Messrs Kennedy and Lange. . TENNIS COURTS.. As a member of last month’s hospital committee Mr Lange said that he had been approached by Dr„ Smales and the nursing staff with a request that the board 'grant permission artd afford some assistance in providing al tennis court at the institution. Mr. Death thought that the board’, should do what it could to assist. Aftre a brief discussion- the matter was referred- to a sub-committee to meet the staff and Wring down a report at the next m’ecting. -DEFAULTERS’ LIST. Mr Haji produced a letter which he had received from the Thames County 'Council objecting to the payment

of the additional levy made for the erection of an isolation block and steam laundry, and generally taking exception to the increase made in local body contributions, by the board. The council also asked the board to supply it with a defaulters' list. In answer to Mr Danby Mr Hall said that the letter had been sent to him as the Thames County representative on the board. The chairman said that the board was becoming a target, for local bodies suffering from lluanclal straits. Admittedly the hoHpllnl contributions had incroasod of rocont. yearn, but so had the price <j.r ovorytblug Incroaped. The additional levy oil t'onlrlbulorv local bodies had cairned a 10l of tnlli, but the buildings wore itbuol uloiy necessary olid In the bout needs ol llio whole district. Further, tho dopui'lment had instructed that the buildings liad to bo erected. As to the request for a. doljiulloru' list, the chairman said that If the Thames County was supplied with one other local bodies would make similar requests, and the Lime of the secietary would be occupied for weeks compiling ■such lisfis. He failed to see how the lists would help very much. The board was the best judge of what patients could pay, and the department. had expressed satisfaction with the methods adopted by the secretin y and the success met with in the collection of fees. Mr Brenan moved to the effect that the board regretted that it could not sec its way clear to supply a defaulters’ list, but that the chairman or mcrabens of the county council could, by arrangement with the secretary, inspect the list of outstanding fees at the board’s office. Seconded by Cr. Robinson and carried, four members voting against the resolution. KEREPEEHI HOSPITAL SITE. In connection with an application from Mr H. K. Peterson to lease the hospital site at Kerepeehi, the chairman reported having interviewed the applicant, who had expressed willingness to clear the site, plough the area, crop it, and sow it down in grass provided the board would lease it for two yeans. The chairman said that the proposition appealed to him, and he would recommend that a lease, at a peppercorn rental, for two years, conditional on the area being sown down in grass at the end of the term, and that the lessee pay rates, be granted.—Approved of.