KUMARA HOSPITAL.

Kumara Times, Issue 2601, 7 January 1885, Page 2

KUMARA HOSPITAL.

The ordinary meeliog of the Hospital Committee whs held in the Town Hall last evening; present—Mr A. C. Campbell (chair), Messrs T. Jones, Hannah, G. Watson, Nicholson, Wooldridge, Metcalfe, Payne, Hope, Burger, Nicholas, Ziegler, and Rudkin. There was a large attendance of the public. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. The outward correspondence was read and approved of. The Wardsman's Report for the month of December was read. It showed that the total number of in-patients treated was 16, of which number three became discharged, one died, leaving twelve in the Hospital at the end of the month. Johu Isbester was discharged cured, Samuel Hughston was discharged relieved, aud Susan, Wells

discharged herself. W. K. Chisholm died. Those who remained were—F. Andrews, A. Carlstrom, Wm. Bain, Mary Angus, M. Herlihy, W. Talbot, W. Bezance, J. Lord, J. Martin, F. Thompson, I). Cooney, and J. Keenan. The Report was received and adopted. In inference to the supply of meat to the Hospital, Mr Nicholson (one of the House Committee) reported that inquiry had been made; that the matron had disapproved of some meat which was sent, but that the same had not been submitted to the Medical Officer, who he thought was the proper person to report on the matter. He would move—“ That Mr Murphy’s tender be accepted for the next six months, but that if anything crept up in the meantime, that the Committee deal with it summarily.” The motion was adopted. Mr Nicholson, for the House Committee, also reported having submitted the order for drugs to the doctor, and after deleting from it some small items, he (in the absence of the secretary) forwarded the order to Mr Williams, of Grey mouth ; and the articles had since been supplied. In passing accounts for payment a considerable discussion took place on an account for £2 10s, sent in by Mis Murphy for two weeks’ attendance as night nurse. It was stated that the nurse had been kept on longer than was necessary, also that whereas Mrs Murphy had offered to act in the capacity of night nurse for 20s per week, she had sent in her bill for 25s per week. Mr Hannah moved that as the account had been incurred it be paid. Mr Burger moved as an amendment that the doctor be asked to give an explanation why the extra nurse had been kept on for a fortnight. The amendment was adopted; and on the motion of Mr Nicholas it was agreed that in the meantime Mrs Murphy be paid £2. Mr Nicholson asked from the Treasurer the state of the finances, and whether the Government subsidy of £l24* said at the last meeting to be due, bad been paid.

The Treasurer (Mr Campbell) reported that he had not received anything from the Government since last meeting.

Accounts to the amount of £B7 16s 6d were then passed for payment. Mr Burger wished to know how they were going to hand over the books to the new Secretary (Mr R. E. Wylde).

The Secretary (Mr L. J. Spyer) stated that the accounts would first have to be audited.

Mr Burger now moved—“ That Dr. Monckton be requested to send in his resignation.” He considered the time had come when the motion should be carried out • but he was prepared to act with what a majority might think best. The Committee and the doctor could not pull together; and the doctor was not willing to extend any courtesy to the committee, and he thought the time had come to ask him to resign.

Mr Wooldridge secouded the motion. Mr Nicholson moved as an amendment—" That Dr. Monckton be retained for another twelve months, sabject to three months' notice on either side, and that an agreement be drawn up defining his duties." Mr Metcalfe seconded the motion. He had made inquiries from several members of Friendly Societies, some of whom had said that they would not take out any more tickets if the doctor were discharged on such a frivolous pretext. Mr Campbell must say that a certain amount of animus had been manifested. The motion did not ask the doctor when to resign—whether to-morrow morning or at the day of judgment. It was-merely on personal grounds that the opposition to the doctor arose. Parties were very evenly divided, and be believed it would come to this that the Committee would resign—[Hear, hear, and applause, by committee-men and audience ; and a voice : " That's what we should like to hear."] He would say when they were eqnally divided, as he believed they were, let the public decide.—[Hear, hear.] Mr Burger said he was quite willing, as they say in Wellington, to go to the country. Ml Ziegler had nothing to say against the doctor in his medical capacity, but from the way he had treated the members of committee, himself included, it was impossible to work together. A division was taken on the amendment, with the following result:— Ayes, 5. Noes, 7. Campbell Hannah Jones Watson Nicholson Hope Paid kin Burger Metcalfe Nicholas Ziegler WooUUidge

Mr Payne said that as he was about to leave the district he should decline to vote. The amendment was therefore lost. Upon this the Ayes rose from their seats, and declared each their resignation, viz., Messrs Campbell (chairman), Jones, Nicholson, Rudkin, and Metcalfe. Mr Burger was then called to the chair. He said he was sorry to see members acting in this manner. Mr Hope moved that members resign in a body.

The Chairman suggested that the motion before the meeting be held over for a month. Mr Nicholas then moved—“ That the question of asking Dr. Monckton to resign be held over for one month.”

This was seconded by Mr Hope, and carried. On the motion of the Chairman, the resignation of the five members was accepted.

The Chairman then moved—“ That the Committee draw up a document signing their resignation, and that the same be signed by all members of Committee, and upon signature of same that the Secretary take immediate steps to elect a new committee, and that the present committee hold office until the new one is elected.”

The motion was seconded by Mr Watson, and carried.

It was resolved that nominations for a new committee be received up to Tuesday, the 13th inst., and that the election take place on the following Saturday. Mr F. D. Payne here handed in his written resignation, which stated that as he was about to leave the district he would be unable to to attend to Hospital Committee duties. The future welfare of the Hospital had his best wishes..

The resignation was accepted with regret. Several members testified to Mr Payne’s great interest and zeal in Hospital matters, and how ardently he had worked for the good of the institution. 1] is loss would be ranch deplored. It was resolved that a vote of thanks be recorded on the minutes to Mr Payne for his past services. Messrs Ziegler and VYooldridge were appointed on the House Committee, vice Messrs Payne and Nicholson resigned, and will act with Mr J. Hannah.

The Chairman drew the attention of the House Committee to some irregularities of visitors to the Hospital. A time was appointed for the admission of visitors, which should be adhered to. Mr Hope drew the attention of the Committee to the advisability of having a polling-booth at Greenstone j also that Mr Spyer act as Returning Officer at the election.

Mr Ziegler was appointed Treasurer (vice Mr Campbell resigned) until the election of the new Committee. The Chairman stated he had received a donation from Mr Corby, being portion of a sum of money which he had acquired somewhat easily in the wrestling matches at the Christmas sports, and had resolved to give £2 of it to the Hospital fund. The donation was acknowledged with thanks, and ordered to be recorded in the minutes.

The Chairman also acknowledged 30s each from Messrs F. Draper and S. Gellert, for maintenance whilst in the Hospital, Mr Nicholas reported that Mrs Wells was in a very bad state of health, and wished to regain admittance to the Hospital. It was resolved that the House Committee inquire into the case. This concluded the business.