KUMARA HOSPITAL.

Kumara Times, Issue 2558, 3 September 1884, Page 2

KUMARA HOSPITAL.

The ordinary meeting of the Hospital Committee was held in the Town Hall last evening; present—Mr Campbell {in the chair), Messrs Nicholson, Burger, Metcalfe, Wooldridge, Ziegler, T, Jones, Hannan, and Rudkin. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. The outward corrrespondence was approved of. The Wardsman’s Report for the month ending 31st August was read and received. The total number of inpatients treated during that time was eight, of which number two were discharged (cared or relieved), and six remained, viz., Frederick Andrews, a schoolboy, suffering from a diseased bone in leg; Andrew Carlstrom, John Dixon, William Cain, John M'Pherson, and John Isbester, miners, suffering from various diseases. A letter was received from the Sur-geon-Superintendent to the Hospital, and the consideration of same held over till next meeting, the Secretary to notify same to every member of the Committee, requesting their attendance. A report from the House Committee was then read : To the Kumara Hospital Committee.

Gentlemen—We beg to report as follows ;

(1.) Having visited the institution on several occasions, we found things in general in a very satisfactory condition, particularly the inside of it, which presented a very clean and comfortable appearance. The underground drain is just about completed, which will greatly help to improve the back portion of the Hospital grounds. (2.) In reference to the garden, we find, on making inquiries, that all the gardening has been done by the Wardsman up to the present, and he informed us that he was quite willing to continue doing so. We also found it necessary to have the back part of the garden fence renewed, as it was completely rotten, and in doing so, we have caused another small portion of ground to be taken in, which will greatly improve the size and appearance of the

garden.

(3.) Re enlargement and glazing part of verandah, as suggested by Dr. Monckton in his last report to the Committee, we beg to state that we cannot recommend the alteration, for several reasons, the greatest of which is that it would interfere with the lighting and ventilation of the female ward, which said ward is already the gloomiest ward in the institution ; but, in place of this, if the Committee’s finances would at any time allow it, we would strongly recommend the erection of a verandah in front of the main building, facing Main street, as this is facing the noonday sun, the wards in consequence are very oppressive in the summer time.

(4.) In conclusion, we beg to recommend the Committee to authorise the purchase of a few door mats to be used at each entrance to the institution. Yours respectfully, H. Burger, G. R. Rudkin, James Metcalfe, Members of House Committee.

The report was received and adopted, save that the question of the construction of a verandah be a subject for further consideration. Sums of £4 5s for fencing and £7 for tunnel were ordered to bo paid upon completion of work. Messrs Nicholson, Campbell, and Burger were appointed a Printing Committee, Accounts to the amount of £7l 12s were passed for payment. The receipts were as follow:—By Mr W. Nicholson, from Easter fete, £1; by Mr Wooldridge, £5 10s; by Mr Ziegler, £2 10s; by Mr A. C. Campbell, 10s; by donations from visitors, £1 Os 6d; by Government subsidy, £239 15s.—Total, £254 15 s 6d. The record of these concluded the business of the meetim-, o