KUMARA HOSPITAL.

Kumara Times, Issue 2792, 2 September 1885, Page 2

KUMARA HOSPITAL.

Tha first meeting of the newly-elected Hospital Committee was held in the Town Hall last evening; present—Mr G. R. Rudkin (in the chair), Messrs G. Voysey, Burger. G. Anderson, W. Morris, Ziegler, C. Burgess, H. Hope, Jno. Wildridge, and Jno. Wooldridge. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. CORRESPONDENCE. The outward correspondence was read and approved of. lb consisted, of one letter only, addressed to the Colonial Secretary, stating that the Government subsidy for the quarter ending June, 1885 had not yet been, received ; and as the Committee were paying interest on an overdraft, it was desirable the subsidy should be at once paid. The inward correspondence was read and received, and considered. A letter was read from Messrs Callan and Gallaway, solicitors, Duuedio, to the Secretary, Hospital, Kumara, stating that they were anxious to obtain information which, would lead to the discovery or prove the death of one George Washington Montgomery, late of the 3rd Waikato Militia, who had not been heard of by any of his relations in Victoria or elsewhere since the year 1865. If the records of the Hospiial contained any such name, they would feel obliged by being furnished with any information in his (the Secretary's) power. The question was raised as to whether the letter could refer to the late James Montgomery, who died in the Hospital here, of consumption, on the 22nd July last. One of the committee inquired fiom Mr John Caldwell, who was present, and who appeared to have been familiar with the late James Montgomery ; but the inquiries went to show that the deceased conld not be identical wish the person about whom Messrs Callan and Gallaway desired information, and the Secretary was instructed to make further inquiry and reply to the letter. A letter was read from Dr. Davy, commenting upon the return of Mr Patrick Caldwell as a member of the new Committee, and, after giving reasons, stating that, on the whole, he doubted whether it would be possible either to woik with him in that perfect harmony and with that good mutual understanding which he believed to be established between himself and the rest of the Committee. It was resolved to hold over the consideration of the letter till next meeting. ELECTION OF COMMITTEE. Mr Burger said, before going on further with the business it was desirable that the Secretary (Mr R. E. Wylde), who was made Returning Officer for the occasion, should make some statement to the Committee concerning the result of the recent proceedings relative to the election of the new Hospital Committee.

Mr'Wylde then read the notices he had received from nominees who had withdrawn their candidature for membership on the new Hospital Committee, viz., from Messrs James Metcalfe, George Haymes, Charles Harris, Charles Stockman, and the Rev. Richard Heffernan; Mr Charles Burgess also withdrew from candidature, but the same evening also withdrew his resignation again. It was afler this that he received Mr HefFernan's resignation, by post from Greymonth. There being then—Friday, the 21st August (the day before the day ap pointed for taking a poll) only thirteen—the required number, of candidates left out of the eighteen originally nominated for membership, he, on Friday evening, the 21st ult., declared and publicly notified the thirteen remaining candidates, viz., Messrs George Anderson, Henry Burger, Charles Burgess, Patrick Caldwell, John Hannah, Henry Hope, William Morris, George Robert Rudkin, George Watson, John Wild ridge, John Wooldridge, George Yoysey, and Lonis Ziegler to be duly elected members of the Hospital Committee for the ensuing term. In doing this Mr Wylde stated that he had nothing in the Hospital Rules to guide him, and therefore conducted the election in terms of the "Local Elections Act." Mr Burger said there had been an impression abroad that an attempt was made to cut Mr Heffernan out. Some controversy ensued as to the propriety or legality of Mr Burgess withdrawing his resignation. Mr W. Morris moved—" That Mr Burgess be elected a member of the Committee." The motion was not seconded, several members holding that Mr Burgess had been duly elected by the declaration of the officer appointed to conduct the election. Mr Burgess said that if it were held that he was not legally elected, he would retire. Mr Burgess then retired. Further remarks upon the subject were made, Mr Burger expressing the opinion that so long as a quorum of candidates became elected it was competent for the quorum (five) to fill the other vacancies. Mr Morris said he held the same opinion on the subject. The matter then dropped, it being an open question whether it wonld be brought up again at the next meeting or not. REPORT ON STOCK OF DRUGS AND INSTRUMENTS. A letter was read from the SnrgeonSuperintendeut of the Hospital recommending the keeping of a drug stock book, as follows : " To the Chairman and Committee Kumara Hospital. "Gentlemen—With the assistance of Mr Ross, your highly-competent Wardsman, I have completed a list and valuation of the drugs now contained in the Hospital Dispensary. I propose, with your permission, to keep a Stock Book, which shall exhibit the expenditure of drugs during each quarter, and an account of the drugs acquired from time to time. I believe that such a book will be a valuable check on waste; and when once begun will cost very little trouble and time to keep in order. If such a system be supplemented by insisting on preserving continually the same source of supply, and that only, it will remove many difficulties and annoyances, and I believe that a great economy will result in its adoption. " The drugs at present in stock are of good qnality. About a yard and a-half of bad diachrylon plaster, and two lumps of bad plaster were condemned as useless. "The only serious deficiency lies in the absence of antiseptic dressings, of which a small quantity might with advantage be kept in the Hospital. "The stock of instruments is imperfect and their quality is not very good ; but I am perfectly willing to supplement them from my own small armamentarium as occasion may require. Their estimated value, together with the various appliances, is £6l. The value of the drugs is £93 2s lid. The total value is £154 2s lid. We took our data for this valuation partly from a catalogue of the goods supplied by a well-known wholesale firm at home, adding 100 per cent, to their published prices, a fair estimate enough. I transmit to you a specimen page of the proposed drug stock-book, and remain, gentlemen, " Yodr obedient servant, " T. G. Davy. " Kumara Hospital, "September 1, 1885." Mr Morris thought the suggestion of Dr. Davy was a very good fine. On the motion of Mr Buiger, seconded by Mr Morris, the suggestion

was adopted, and a drug stock book ordered to l>e obtained. wardsman's report. The Secret;! i y then r<-ad the; "Wardsman's Report. It showed that, the total number of in-patients treated during the calendar month of August was 14, of whom five were discharged, relieved or cured, and nine remained in the Hospital. A. Carlstrotn, Mrs Kelly, J. Rouse, Marshal M'Cahon were discharged relieved; Wm. Dee was discharged cured ; and Mesdames Hannab, Hope, and Caldwell, W. Bain, Nicholas Oalvi, Patrick Skehan, Joseph Johnson, John Murphy and Thos. Lamason remained in the Hospital. The report was received. Mr Burger said that some time ago a resolution was passed by the Committee that it should be shown how patients had been admitted. This was not done in this report, and he would move that the Wardsman's attention be drawn to the omission, and that he be requested in future to add in the Monthly Report how patients had been admitted. Mr Ziegler seconded the motion, which wis carried. ELECTION OP OFFICERS. Mr L. Ziegler was appointed Treasurer for the ensuiug twelve months. Messrs W. Morris, G. Anderson, and G. R. Rudkin were appointed to be the House Committee. FINANCE. The Treasurer reported an overdrnfb of .£7O at the bank; subsidy due on June 30, £lB7 16s 3d. Accounts to the amount of £B3 15s were passed for payment. On the motion of the Treasurer, it was resolved that all subscription books be called in. REVISION OF RULES. Mr Burger gave notice that at next meeting he would bring forward a motion having reference to a revision of the Hospital rules. This concluded the business of the meeting.