THAMES HOSPITAL

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXIX, Issue 5298, 11 July 1928, Page 1

THAMES HOSPITAL

MONTHLY MEETING. ROUTINE BUSINESS. The monthly meeting of the Thames Hospital and Charitable Aid Board was held on Monday last, the chairman (Air W. E. Hale) presiding over Messrs. C. W. S. Flett, P. E. Brenan, A. R. Robinson, E l . L. Walton, J. Lange, C. W. Kennedy, J. W. Dauby, C. W. Parfitt, and the secretary (Mr G. Tonge). NURSE TO NATIVES. The medical officer of health at Auckland wrote suggesting that it it was desirable for the board to take over entire control of the district nurse for Maoris in the district. Nurse Jamieson wa,s .not a permanent officer of the department, and' the department was not making any more permanent appointments to its staff for such purposes, it being, desired that hospital, boards should in future make such appointments and control the nurise, being an officer entirely of the hospital board. The nurse should become a contributor to the hospital board’s superannuation fund; the board to pay the nurse’s salary and obtain a. refund from the. department of the full amount of the salary, provided, naturally, that such salary was in accordance with the scale laid down. The department would also pay the board £lOO per annum towards other expenses, such as transport, travelling expenses, rent, etc. The department desired to know if the board approved of the proposal.

The chairman said that, it was another, piece of unloading on the department’s part. However, tlhe terms were not so bad.

The secretary said that the expenses amounted to ;a,bout £lOO a year. The superannuation would, be about £3O a year, of which the board would be expected to pay £lB. Air Lange suggested that the department had better keep the nurpe.* The chairman .said that probably the letter was the outcome of the board’s representations to the department for assistance towards providing a car for the nurse. After further discussion Mr. Walton moved that the matter be referred to a special committee comprising the ■chairman and Mr Danby for a report on the position. PROTEST AT COSTS. . The Thames County Council wrote with reference to the board’s statement of estimated revenue .and expenditure for the year. 1928-29, which had been considered by the council. Tlie council viewed with alarm the ever-increasing levy made by the board on the ratepayers, of the Thames County, necessitating another increase this year in the hospital rate. The council also wished to point out that it ' fully supported the stand made by the board against th© unwarranted and uncalled-for order by the Health Department to erect an hospital at Paeroa at the present time. Mr Walton asked if the statement was in accordance with fact? He understood that the ra.te levied was less than that of last. year. The chairman explained that the Thames County had 1 recently enjoyed a frehh valuation, and to that oedy it meant ;gn increased hospital rate. Probably the Ohinemuri County would be in a similar position next year. HQ failed to see how the board could help the council. WATER SUPPLY; FOR HOMES. The Thames Borough Council advised that it was proposed l to. provide ap improved water supply scheme for Tararu at. an estimated cost of £10'67. The matter, of water charges had been reviewed and. certain increases were fixed, including the district homes, to £2's per annum, and 1 to the hospital at £4O per annum. The improved scheme, would provide better facilities for fire-fighting purposes. In answer to Or. Brelian the secretary said, that the present charges for the hospital and homes amounted to £3B, as against the proposed increase • to £65. The chairman said lie failed to see why the hospital rate should be increased because the main had been enlarged to Tararu. Mr Lange thought that the increase ed. charge was not exorbitant. The matter was referred to the chairman and deputy-chairman to look into. ENDOWMENT. The trustees for the Thomas E. Smith’s, estate wrote acknowledging the board’s proposal that instead of endowing a bed at the hospital a sunporch be erected and offering to meet representatives of the board to discuss the matter on a da.te to be arranged. The matter, was referred to the chairman and Messrs Danby an I Walton. with power to act. RECIPROCAL ARRANGEMENT. The Coromandel Hospital Board wrote agreeing to a.ccept the board’s proposal for a. reciprocal arrangement at. the rate of 6s a day, -with a right to collect fees, BENEVOLENT SOCIETY. The Hauraki Ladies’ Benevolent Society forwarded accounts amounting to £lO 14s and asked for the board’s usual donation of £lO. which was granted. HELP FOR SETTLERS. A letter, was received from Mr M. L. Miller. Hikuai, 'acknowledging receipt of a stretchei- and first-aid appliances for the use of the Hikuai settlement. The sincere thanks of the settlement, was tendered to the board. And also to Mr T. !W. Rhodes, M.P.