KUMARA HOSPITAL.

Kumara Times, Issue 2626, 5 February 1885, Page 2

KUMARA HOSPITAL.

The ordinary meeting of the Hospital Committee was held in the Town Hall on Tuesday evening : present—Messrs D. Hannan (in the chair), "Voysey, Wataon, Wildridge, Gargnilo, Hope, Wooldridge, Rudkin, and Metcalfe.

The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed.

The outward correspondence was read and approved of, and the inward read and received.

The Wardsman's report for the month, of January was read and adopted. It showed that the total number of patients in the Hospital at the end of January was 14, of whom 3 were discharged and 11 remained under treatment.

Mr Burger drew attention to the namn of one of the patients. Mr D. Hannan, as one of the Visiting Committee replied that there was no power given by the Rules to the House Committee to do more than report such cases to the Medical Officer. This had been done, and the patient was thereupon discharged. Mr Hope said that he met the patient in the street who told him that the doctor had said that any of the patients who were well enough could attend the Marionette performances. He further added that the patients spoke well of the doctor because he allowed them to go to balls and entertainments.

The Secretary read a report from the Visiting Committee relative to certain charges made by Mr Andrews against the Matron. The report stated that the committee, after taking evidence, did not consider the charges sufficiently substantiated to warrant their taking any action in the matter.

The report was received and adopted. The report of the sub-committee appointed to compare the Hospital Committee election rolls with the ticket books was received; and, after some discussion, on the motion of Mr D. Hannan, seconded by Mr Voysey, was referred to the Secretary to report at next meeting.

In considering the accounts, the question of order for printing the halfyearly balance-sheet, was raised by Mr Burger, as he said it was not customary to print the half-yearly balancesheet, and he asked upon whose authority the order was given for its publication. Mr Janion, proprietor Kumara Times, was present, and was asked who furnished the order. Mr Janion replied that the order was given by Mr Spyer, then Secretary, who said that although he knew it was not customary to publish the half-yearly balance-sheet, yet this being in all respects a statement of the affurs of an out-going committee, as well as the completion of his own tenure of office, it was of as much importance as any annual balance-sheet.

The account was then passed. Messrs Hamian, Rudkin, and Burger were appointed a Printing Committee.

Accounts to the amount of £62 19s were passed for payment. The Secretary reported credit at the Bank £4O, and subsidy due £6O. Receipts were handed in as follows :- By Mr FTope, 10s; Mr Wooldridge, £1; Mr Metcalfe, £1 • Mr Burger, 10s; the Wardsman, 7s; total, £3 7s. The Secretary was instructed to write to the various insurance companies, asking at what rate they will insure the Hospital buildings.

The motion by Mr Nicholas, passed at the meeting of the committee on the 6th ulfc,, was theu brought up : it was " That the question of asking Dr. Monckton to resign be held over for one month." In accordance with this resolution Mr Burger stated it was now merely a formal matter. The question as to whether the present doctor should be retained or not had been decided by the ratepayers. He therefore moved that the matter take effect, and " That Dr. Mo nekton be asked to send in his resignation by next ordinary meeting." Mr Wooldiidge seconded the motion.

Mr Hannan said he had nothing to goby but what he had seen in° the papers. He thought a formal investigation was necessary, as he had not seen sufficient to warrant such a course being taken. A charge in writing should be made, and an investigation follow. &

Mr Metcalfe suggested that as there were several new members of committee present, the various minutes in reference to this matter be read. This was done.

Mr I-lannan moved us an amendment—" That the matter aow uades

consideration be postponed for three months." He instauced how the charge against Mrs Cooper had broken down after investigation. Mr Metcalfe seconded the amendment. A division was called for which resulted as follows:—Ayes, 2—Messrs Hannan and Metcalfe; Noes, Messrs Burger, Voysey, Watson, Wild ridge, Hope, Wooldridge, and Garguilo. Pairs—Messrs Rudkin and Ziegler (who were both absent). The Chairman declared the amendment lost. Mr Voysey now moved a further amendment—" That the matter be held over for one month, and that the Friendly Societies be asked if they are willing that the doctor be asked to resign." Mr Hannan seconded the motion. Mr Burger said it was ridiculous to think of asking the Friendly Societies what this Committee should do. It would be placing the Hospital Com. mittee in a very awkward position, and the doctor could come upon the Committee for damages. The doctor might suit the Friendly Societies, and yet not suit this Committee, and vice versa. The amendment was put and lost, and the original motion carried. Mr Burger stated that it was desirsble that steps should now be taken for making arrangements for the annual Easter fete for the Hospital, and moved—" That the Chairman, Messrs Rudkin, Hope, Voysey, Nicholson, and Metcalfe be constituted a sub-commit-tee to arrango about the Easter fete. The motion was seconded by the Chairman, and carried. It waß also resolved that the Secretary write to the various societies asking them to send delegates to meet this committee this day week. Me Watson here moved—" That in the event of Dr. Monckton not sending in his resignation by next meeting, that he be given three months' notice." This motion was not seconded. On the motion of Mr Burger, seconded by Mr Voysey, it was agreed that the subcommittee be requested to consider the advisability of having a refreshment booth on the Recreation Ground on Friday and Saturday next, the proceeds to go towards prizes for sports at the Hospital Easter fete. On the motion of Mr Hope, seconded by Mr Wild ridge, it was resolved that Messrs Voysey, Wildridge, Burger, and Metcalfe wait upon the clergymen in the district, asking them to set apart a Sunday for collections in aid of the Hospital.

This concluded the business of the meeting.