HOSPITAL AND CHARITABLE INSTITUTIONS ACT.

Kumara Times, Issue 1089, 27 March 1880, Page 3

HOSPITAL AND CHARITABLE INSTITUTIONS ACT.

The conference of delegates of the various municipal and other bodies to consider the Hospital and Charitable Institutions Act, 1879, for the purpose of making suggestions thereon, was held in the Town \H all, Kumara,'on Wednesday last. The following are the institutions represented, and the names of the delegates for the same : Westland County Council—H. W. Sandle, Esq., and Joseph Lang, Esq., Chairman. Grey County Council—A. It. Guinness, Esq., Chairman. Hokitika Borough Council—The Mayor and Cr. Peake. Greymouth Borough Council—Richard Nancarrow, Esq., Mayor. Ross Borough Council—J. Grimmond, Esq. Kumara Borough Council—J. S. Pearn, Esq., Mayor, and A. C. Campbell, Enq. Arahura Road Board —R. J. Seddon, Esq., Chairman. Hokitika Hospital Committee—Mr Peake. Greymouth Hospital Committee—John Arnott, Esq. Totara District Hospital Committee— - Rev. E. C. Chambers, President. Kumara Hospital Committee—Mr S. Agnew. Kumara Benevolent Society—Rev. E. A. Scott. Greymouth Benevolent Society —R. Nancarrow, Esq. Hokitika Benevolent Society— M'S. W. Jack, Esq.. The Mayor of Kumara presided, and Mr Wylde acted as Secretary throughout the proceedings. After many amendments and suggestions had been made, the following repott was unanimously adopted : Report. That a conference has been held and representatives of the various local bodies in the Westland Provincial District attended, and, after considering the provisions of the proposed Bill, they arrived at the following conclusions, Which may be summarised as follows : 1. That all hospitals receiving Government aid be brought under the operation of the proposed Act. 2. That the members of Hospital Boards should be elected by the local contributing bodies and contributing committees. 3. !piat contributing committees be elected! by persons subscribing ten shillings and upwards per annum. 4. That any person contributing ten shillings or upwards per annum shall be eligible to beGome a member of the Hospital Board. 5. That contributing committees should be empowered to vote at the same ratio and in like manner as that prescribed under clause 10 for contributing local bodies.

6. That power should be given to make bye-laws for the formation, election, and guidance of contributing committees.i<*< •*

7. That the maximum amount to be paid by persona receiving relief be fixed at thirty shillings per week. 8. That in lieu of levying rates, as prescribed by clause 63, local bodies be empowered to impose a special tax, not to exceed ten shillings per annum per adult male.

9. That no branch hospitals be established.

10. That twenty persons, each contributing ten shillings per annum, or five pounds as a donation, may constitute themselves as an association and be brought under the operation of the Act. The foregoing recommendations are made as being particularly applicable to the West Coast goldfields. If considered unsuitable for other parts of the colony, then that special legislation be made for the West Coast.