KUMARA HOSPITAL.

Kumara Times, Issue 2690, 6 May 1885, Page 2

KUMARA HOSPITAL.

The ordinary meeting of the Hospital Committee was held in the Town Hall last evening; present—H. Burger, Esq. (Mayor) in the chair ; Messrs Yoysey, G. Watson, Ziegler, Wildridge, Rudkin, J. Hannah, Wooldridge, Metcalfe, and Nicholson. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. The outward correspondence was read and approved of, and the inward read and received, as follows ; Letter from the proprietor Kumara Times re charge for advertising fete balance-sheet.—lt was resolved that the sum of £2 he passed for payment instead of £1 as resolved at last meeting. Letter from Robert Smith, Wangaratta, Victoria, who, before applying for the post of Hospital Surgeon, would like to hear some particulars concerning the district, <fec., and how many medical men there are.—Received. Telegram from the Hon. R, Stout, Premier, stating—" If Hospital Committee will send Carlstrom to Rotorua and pay for maintenance there, he will be treated as a Government patient, without charge for medical attendance.”—Received, and Secretary instructed to write to the Premier inquiring probable cost of maintaining Carlstrom at Rotorua, &c. Letter from Thomas Oliver stating that there was a balance of £8 11s 6d due to him for extras in connection with the building of the new addition to the Kumara Hospital, As the work had been done about two years, he intended taking legal proceedings unless a settlement was effected immediately, Mr Nicholson remembered the work. Oliver was paid the contract price. The sum applied for was for extras, which were disputed by the overseer of the work, Mr Campbell. The matter had been entirely forgotten. He believed there was a certain amount owing to Oliver. Mr Burger said that as far as he remembered Mr Campbell, who acted as architect, had distinctly said that Oliver was not entitled to it. The matter was referred to the House Committee. [At this stage Mr Nicholson retired.] Letter from Mr W. M. Purkiss, Solicitor, Hokitika, re dismissal of Dr, Monckton, &c., as follows :

“ The Chairman and Members of the Kumara Hospital Committee.

“ Gentlemen—Referring to the notice dated the 3rd March last which you delivered to Dr. Monckton, dispensing with his services as Hospital Surgeon as from the 3rd June next, and to your having called for applications to fill his post, I have to inform you that should you persist in so terminating the agreement under which the doctor acts, he has instructed me to institute proceedings for damages in the Supreme Court against all who are parlies to such a course.

“To say nothing of the absence of any valid grounds for your action in this mutter, I may point out that not only was the resolution dismissing the doctor carried without notice of motion in that behalf, as it should have been in accordance with your Standing Order of the 22mcl January, 1884, but the doctor being a yearly servant is entitled, under lug agreement, to three

months’ no'ioe, which must expire with the current year of hiring, as in the case of a yearly tenancy from year to vear. Now, your notice does not so expire, but expires about the middle of the current year of hiring. “I have pointed out these matters to you somewhat more explicitly perhaps than I am justified in doing, but I have done so in order that yon might be made aware, at an early stage, "of the position the doctor tabes up, and also in order to afford you an opportunity of considering the subject before it is too late, believing as I do, that all who *re parties to what in my opinion would be an illegal act, render themselves personally liable for the consequences of such act.

“I have the honor to be, “Gentlemen, “Your obedient servant, W, Morton Purkiss. “ Hokitika, 4th May, 1885.” The letter was received, and, on the motion of Mr Barger, seconded by Mr Ziegler, ordered to lie on the table. The Wardsman’s Report was then read. It showed that during the month ending 30th April, the total number of in-door patients treated was 13, of which number 6 were discharged, leaving 7 still in the Hospital, viz., Frederick Andrews, school boy, suffering from a diseased bone in the leg; Andrew Carlstrom, miner, paraplegia; Wm. Bain, miner, fractured skull; Michael Burke, miner, fractured leg; James Brayshaw, bronchitis and dropsy (since died); Carl Carlstrom, miner, fractured leg; Wm. Fvans, dislocated ankle; Michael Herlihy, suffering from the effects of a crushed foot, became discharged at his own request. Mary Angus, fractured leg, was discharged cured; Busan Wells was discharged relieved; and James Tait, with a fractured leg, Charles Rymning, suffering from bronchitis, and James Daw, of a scalp wound, were discharged* convalescent. In reference to absent members, Mr Wooldridge moved “That as Messrs Hannan and Garguilo have been absent from three consecutive meetings of this committee, their seats he declared vacant, and that steps be taken at next meeting to elect two gentlemen in their place.” The motion was seconded by Mr Yoysey, and carried, Mr Ziegler reported that the House Committee considered it advisable to have the outside of the Hospital buildings painted; and that F. Thompson (lately an inmate of the Hospital) had offered to do the work as a set-off against the amount due by him for maintenance.

The consideration of this matter was held over till next meeting. Accounts to the amount of £lO9 19s were passed for payment. Applications for the office of SurgeonSuperintendent were then received from the following : Arthur Watson, M. 8., M.D., C.M., L.M., Edin ; Roxburgh, Otago. Henry Greenwood Mahon, L.R.C.S., L. and L.M.K.Q.C.P., Ireland ; Wellington. Egbert Florance, M.D.: Bungendore, New South Wales. D. J. Canny, L.R.C.P., Edin., M.R. C.S., England; Port Stephen’s District, New South Wales. J. Ziehlke, M.D. ; Junee Junction, New South Wales. Jno. A. Pybus, L.R.C.P., L.R.C.S., Edin., L.S.A., London, F.R.G.S.; Bowral, New South Wales. Lyster A. Nolan, L.K.Q.C.P., L.M., L.R.C.S., Ireland; Mornington, Victoria. Henry M ‘Dalton, M. 8., Aberdeen? Condobolin, New South Wales. James Ashburner, Sydney (late of Armidale). Herbert L. Oorxis, L.R.C.P., L.P.P. S.Gr., andL.S.A,, London; Bathurst Hospital, New South Wales. T. G. Davy, Oxford usual degrees; Kinloch, Lake County, Otago.

Most of the applications wore accompanied by excellent testimonials; but three were unaccompanied by recommendations ; and on the motion of Mr Watson, seconded by Mr Voysey the names of Messrs Florence, Ziehlke, and M‘Dalton were struck -off, they having sent no testimonials.

On the motion of Mr Voysey, seconded by Mr Rudkin, the list of applicants was then reduced by ballot to four, which resulted in the names of of Messrs Mahon, Canny, Nolan, and Ash burner being struck off. A further ballot resulted in the striking out of the names of Messrs Pybus and Cortis, leaving but two—• Messrs Watson and Davy. Mr Ziegler proposed that Mr Davy receive the appointment. Seconded by Mr Voysey, Mr Wooldridge proposed an amendment—“ That the Secretary ascertain by telegram the ages nf M Davy and Watson, also as iu whether they are single or married men; and thajj

this meeting stand adjourned till Thursday, at 8 p.m., to allow of an answer being received.” The motion was seconded by Mr Watson, and carried. Keceipts were handed in as follow : By Mr Wooldridge, £1 10s; by Mr Watson (at previous meeting), £l,