WAKATIP DISTRICT HOSPITAL.

Lake Wakatip Mail, Issue 183, 28 January 1865, Page 2

WAKATIP DISTRICT HOSPITAL.

The annual meeting of the above Institution took place on Thursday. The attendance was numerous and influential, and a great amount of interest seemed to be taken.

The business was commenced by a committee meeting, at which there were present—Messrs YT. G. Rees (President), Beetham, Haughton, Bracken, G. Clements, Angus, Richmond, Macindoe, Brown (hon. Treasurer), atd Gordon (hon. Secretary.) The minutes of previous meeting were read and confirmed. The Committee resolved to recommend to the subscribers the election of representatives for the districts of Frankton, Head of the Lake and Twelve-mile, making, with the president, treasurer and secretary, 22 members. The proceedings were otherwise confined to the transaction of merely nominal business, and to the manner of bringing the affairs before the subscribers.

The committee then adjourned sine die, and soon afterwards the general meeting was opened. The president took the chair. He had great pleasure in meeting them on this occasion, as he was able to congratulate them upon the successful position which they occupied. He should read to them the annual report, and afterwards call upon the hon treasurer to read the financial report. He believed that both would be satis, factory (hear), but he would allow them to speak for themselves. He would again repeat that very few institutions of a similar kind could meet the public with such creditable statements, and after the expenditure of so large a sum in relief of the sick be in such prosperous circum* sumstances. The president then made an appeal to the subscribers on the necessity of maintaining the Hospital in its present state of efficiency, and not to allow it to retrogress. The following report was then read by the chairman:— General Report. (To the Subscribers of the Wakatip Hospital.) 1. Your committee in meeting you have to congratulate you upon the position of the Institution, as shown by the treasurer's statements. 2. It seldom falls to the lot of a committee of a charitable institution to present so satisfactory a report as they now have the honor to present to you. 3. The efforts of the committee have been directed to the economical management of the institution, in which they think they have been successful, and they do not regret the time and labor they have expended in bringing the Hospital to its present state of efficiency. The amount of relief afforded since the opening of the Hospital to thA3lst December, has been very large, viz., 348 indoor patients and 301 out-door patients, making a total of 649 that have received aid from the Institution. The committee regret to record this fact, and also that the diseases that have been treated have been generally of a serious nature. 4. The committee have not only been able to afford assistance to these cases, but are also enabled to say that no patient has laid before them a charge against any of the officers and servants, or against the administration of the Institution whilst they were inmates. The general expression of feeling has been one of unqualified approval of the attention and treatment received whilst an inmate of the Hospital,

5. The financial position of the Institution is shown by the treasurer's report, which will be read to you and annexed to this. 6. The cost of treating patients has been much reduced without impairing the value of the Institution. The present cost of each patient has been equal to £ls per month, or, per annum, £l6O for each indoor patient, if he remained a year in the Hospital. But this is now much reduced. At the first establishment of the Institution the cost was double this amount. Distributed over the number of patients relieved, the amount fper head is very low; but this was, till lately, the cost of each patient, should he remain in the Hospital for a twelvemonth.

7. The number of officers and servants have also been reduced, and the Hospital, through the energetic services of Dr Douglas, is managed by a very small staff, consisting of the resident surgeon, the cook, and the wardsman, together with the services of the clerk. The amount expended at the present rate upon patients in the month is £3 4s or £3B 8s per annum. One of the patients, named Charles M'Nevin, has been in the Hospital since its opening. 8. The committee have to acknowledge the receipt of books and newspapers from several sources, which will be duly acknowledged in the year's report, when published. 9. A report of the attendance of the members of the committee will also be published in the report. # # * 10. The list of subscribers will be published in a tabulated form, and under the headings of districts, and the sums by whom collected. The cultivation of the grounds attached to the Hospital has been of great value, and an immense saving to the Institution in a pecuniary sense. 11. The current year ends on the 3rd August, 1865. 12. Two reports have, during the year, been published, and your committee in resigning the trust which you placed in their hands, have at all times made it their study to make their proceedings public, and keep both the subscribers and the public acquainted with the affairs of the Institution. W. G. Rees, President. The report was warmly received and cheered. The president, after a few remarks, called upon Mr Brown, the hon. treasurer, to read his financial report. Mr Brown addressed the subscribers, remarking that the report he was about to read would, no doubt, give them the information they desired, but he should be prepared to answer any questions they might put to him, should anything have been omitted.

Financial Report. The honorary treasurer in presenting his financial report, as per enclosed sheet No- 2, for the annual meeting of the subscribers, has to make the following remarks:— 1. That the financial accounts of the Institution are made up to the 3rd of August of each year, in accordance with the statues of the Hospital Ordinance, an account is rendered to the Government, and all accounts adjusted to that date. This was done last August, when it was found the Government was due £IOOO to the Institution, and £7l 18s Id on improvement account; these have been placed to the credit of the Institution. A copy of that balance sheet is now rendered you. 2. An abstract of the accounts now shown you from that date to the night of the 31st December, does not include any of this year's accounts, beyond subscriptions received, as the January accounts are not payable "till the 3rd February. '3. I am glad to be able to state that the balance sheet has been duly examined, that the Government has complimented us upon the manner our accounts have been kept, and that I have established such a system of cheques that no accounts can go wrong. 4. That the appointment of a new collector has not been of any immediate advantage to the Hospital, and I shall be glad to receive your directions thereon, as it is evident that people look upon his appeals as a mere matter of £.s.d. to him, in the shape of commission. The necessity of some such arrangement as that of the establishment of local committees is earnestly desired for the purpose of keeping up the funds which are now becoming rapidly exhausted. The collector has tendered his resignation for the 28th February, which I recommend your acceptance. 5. The collector's accounts have been duly audited, and found correct to 31st December; they have also been examined twice since that period, and passed. 6. It is your duty to appoint, in accordance with the regulations, two auditors to examine accounts for the past year, and to report thereon. 7. Every care has been taken to work the Institution economically and effectively, and the result you see before you this day. 8. The returns from Moke Creek, Upper Shotover, and Nokomai, are wanting, as these subscriptions are obtained by local bodies, and the returns of the boxes are not included as they have not been given in. 9. The balance sheet shows a balance in your favor of £591 16s 3d, to which has to be added a vote of £SOO, passed by the Provincial Council, making the sum of £109116s 3d, accounts at your disposal. Against this, accounts amounting to about £2OO, are due for the current month, so that your actual balance is about £B9l, a result very creditable to the managment, and upon which I have to compliment you. Further, there is also another sum due to the Hospital, on the pro rata contribution by Government, on money subscribed, thus making your real position on the 31st December, as clear of all liabilities, about £I6OO. These facts speak for themselves, and will bear the strictest examination, and present 'a favorable and happy with other similar institutions. 10. The transactions of the Institution have amounted to upwards of £4OOO. The accounts are very voluminous, and have all to be checked. Tenders, correspondence, drawing up reports, and minutes of meetings have to be taken by the clerk who receives the sum of £lO4 per annum for doing these duties. 11. I have to thank W. G. Rees, Esq., the president, Mr Gordon, the hon. sec., Dr. Douglas, the resident surgeon, and Mr Manders, clerk, for the assistance at all times rendered me in carrying out the arduous duties of an hon. treasurer to such an institution as this. At the same time I have to request you to acknowledge the services of the very able finance committee that has watched over your interests. The members are Messrs Bracken, Gordon, Worthington and Lockhart. The latter gentleman has since left the district. Thomas H Brown, Honorary Treasurer. Balance Sheet of the Wakatip District Hospital, from the 3rd August to 31st December, 1864. Dr. £s. d. £s. d. Oct. 6—To Grant-in-Aid (account last year) - - 1000 0 0 Dec. 31 „ Public subscriptions - 490 0 8 £1490 0 8 Cr. £ s. d. £ s. d. By balance due Bank 314 5 „ „ in last balance sheet - 0 9 0 „ Provisions, groceries, &c. • 112 12 7 „ Butcher's meat - 118 15 2 „ Bread - 69 10 11 „ Firewood - 48 6 8 „ Drugs - 87 1 7 „ Furniture - 28 7 0 „ Advertising and printing - - 18 2 0 „ Milk - - - 20 16 0 „ Stationery - - 4 2 0 „ Sundries - 29 3 0 ~ Labor - - - 11 511 „ Salaries and wages 350 5 5 „ Balance - - 591 16 3 £1490 0 9 Queenstown, 25th January, 1865. H. Manders, Clerk. We have examined the above accounts and found them correct. This sheet only presents an abstract statement from 3rd August to 31st December; as the annual balance sheet being given on the 3rd August this is not presented as the balance sheet of the year. Thos. H. Brown, Hon. Treasurer. W. G. Rees, President. H. W. Bracken. This report was also well received. Mr Rees acknowledged the receipt of £5 17s, I being the amount collected by Mrs Angus with I her money box.

The president now vacated the chair, and asked the subscribers to appoint a chairman of their own to conduct the proceedings. Mr T. H. Brown was elected chairman. Mr Prosser, before proceeding to the election of members of the new committee, would like to have a return of the attendance of members, as mentioned in the report. The same not being forthcoming up to date, the meeting proceeded to the election of two auditors, as required by the Ordinance, for the purpose of examining last year's accounts. Messrs Malaghan and Hallenstein were proposed by Mr Shepherd, but both gentlemen requested that others might be elected. Mr Prosser considered that it would be desirable to have gentlemen connected with the banks elected as auditors. He would therefore propose—" That Messrs Roberts (Bank of New Zealand), and Milne (Bank of Otago), be appointed auditors." This was put to the meeting and carried. - The meeting then adjourned for a short period, so that the statement of members' attendance might be laid before them. On resuming, The Chairman said the return he was now about to read required a word or two of explanation. There had been twenty-one meetings, without speaking of Finance and House Committee Meetings. Several of the members had been absent to town, and were therefore unable to attend all the meetings. He would mention the names of Messrs Rees and Gordon, and himself, as officers amongst the number. Mr Bracken had also been away. The chairman then read the following statement: — Attendance of Members. (Twenty-one Meetings have been held.) G. W. Rees, Esq., President 13 T. H. Brown, Esq., Treasurer 13 H. A. Gordon, Esq., Secretary 14 Dr Croft (left) ----- 9 H. W. Bracken 16 J. O'Callaghan 9 R. Beetham ----- 9 Ch. E. Haughton (out of nine) * - 8 W. C. Mirfin (left) -- - - - 7 W. C. Worthing ton (out of seven) - 6 J. F. Healey (left) 6 C. Williamson 5 H. Richmond - - - - - 4 Dr Douglas (appointed) 4 T. L. Lockhart (left) - . - - 4 L. Broad, Esq. (left) - - - - 4 W. Melody 3 G. Clements (out of nine) 3 R. Harris (out of nine) 3 John Angus (out of five 2 Macindoe (out of seven) 2 Mr Broad begged to propose W. G. Rees, Esq. as president for the ensuing yeai. Mr Beetham seconded the same. "*Mr~Rees * suggested they had better elect some one else as president for the ensuing year, as a change might be desirable. (Loud cries of "No.") Mr Bradshaw read a clause from the Ordinance regarding the number of members to be elected, and pointing out that the president, treasurer, and secretary, should be members of the committee, and that therefore the committee should be first elected. He proposed that the committee consist of twenty-two members, including the president, hon. treasurer, and hon. secretary. Moved by Mr Bradshaw and seconded by W. Bracken—" That the Hospital committee be appointed in accordance with the Hospital Act, and that the number be twenty-two, including president, treasurer, and secretary." Mr Haughton would be glad to second the resolution, as it accorded with the views of the committee. The clerk read the basis on which the committee recommended the subscribers to proceed, viz., to elect six members for the Arrow, one for the Cardrona, one for the Nokomai, one Arthur's Point, one Maori Point, one the Twelve-ihile (Lake), one Head of the Lake, one Kingston, one Frankton, eight Queenslown. Mr Broad then begged to nominate seven members for the Arrow and Cardrona districts. They had held a meeting and the following names had been unanimously selected :—M essrs Broad, Haughton, Melody, Scanlon, Schernikow, Canovan, and two others Seconded by Mr Rees. Mr Shepherd addressed the meeting upon the manner they should conduct the election. The speaker, at some length, explained the Act Ordinance and its workings. Mr Haughton said the committee intended to act in the manner mentioned by the last speaker, and advocated the election of the Arrow nomination. Mr Haughton, at some length, reviewed the report, congratulating the subscribers upon their position, and the adoption of his views as regarded the collector and mode of obtaining subscriptions, as shown in the treasurer's report, and further dwelling upon the services rendered to the Institution by the indefatigable committee. After a protracted address, the speaker set down amidst loud cheers.

Mr Prosser denied the right of any district officer dictating to that meeting whom they should elect. The meeting was properly called and could elect whom it liked, and he hoped they would stick up to the rules. Mr Rees explained that at the first meeting such nominations had been accepted and carried out as an act of courtesy. He thought the Arrow nomination should carry weight, and that they ought to give it due consideration, and not ride rough-shod over the recommendation. Mr Beetham —The subscribers had a redress if they did not approve of the names, by nominating others, but the report presented by Mr Broad said the Arrow, people nad unanimously elected or recommended those names. Mr Broad explained that the parties had been chosen and elected at a public meeting, and the fact was worthy cif some weight. Mr Shepherd was quite satisfied if it was only a nomination and not an election.

The chairman desired to draw their attention to the business they had met for, and though willipg to give them all the time they might require, would ask them to proceed with the nominations. The following names were then duly proposed and seconded:— Arrow (in addition to nomination above)— O'Callaghan and Kichmond. Cardrona ditto—R. Swyer. Nokomai—J. N. Wood. Kingston—Colton. Arthur's Point—John Ryan, J. M'Redmond, J. B. Nether wood. Maori Point—J. Aylmer. Head of the Lake—Phillip Allen. Twelve-Mile—Mr Adamson. Frankton—Mr Doyle. Queenstown —W. G.Rees, T. H. Brown, H. A. Gordon, J. B. Bradshaw, Dr Ryley, R. Beetham, H. W. Bracken, Roberts, (Bank N.Z.,) J. W. Worthington, Milne (Bank of Otago), Worth (Union Bank), Powell, Hallenstein, J. M. Ryan, Shepherd, W. 0. Wright, R. Harris, A Louttit, P. H. Elliot, J. Angus, T. Brookes, G. Clements, T. Driscoll, G. G. Prince. The Chairman appointed Messrs Weaver and ——— as scrutineers aud the election was then taken by each subscriber putting down on a slip of paper the names of those for whom he voted. This portion of the proceedings occupied some time, and the following authenticated account of the polling of successful candidates was handed to our reporter:— Queexstown —Rees, 33; Brown, 27; Roberts, 20; Beetham, 21; Gordon, 17; Bracken, 15: Angus, Id; Rvan, 14< Arrow—Broad, 30; Canovan, 27; Shernikow, 25; Melody, 24; Scanlan, 22; Swyer, 22; Haughton, 18. Nokomai—J. N. Woods, 22. Kingston—Colton, 19. Twelve-Mile—Adamson, 23. Head of Lake—P. Allen 22. Maori Point—J. Aylmer, 23. Frankton—P. Doj le, 22. Arthur's Point—J. M'Redmond, 14. Ths room was again opened, and the chairman declared tho above results. Mr Bracken would like to resign in favor of Mr Powell; but the proposition was overruled as being contrary to the Ordinance. Mr Shepherd thought they should be exceedingly careful in what they did, and offered some practical remarks. Mr Rees was unanimously elected a 9 president, and Mr Gordon as hon. secretary. For the honorary treasurership two gentlemen were nominated, and their respective claims advocated. They were Mr T. H. Brown and Mr Roberts, of the Bank of New Zealand. The meetmg at this stage became excited, and a show of hands being taken twice by the president, gave Roberts 15, Brown 13. Mr Mmiders, as the proposer of Mr Brown, demanded a poll, which was granted, which resulted in Mr Brown being elected by a majority of 2, the poll being Brown 15, Roberts 14. Upon the declaration of the poll being made Mr Bracken made some remarks upon the result of the election, which he characterised as rascally, upon which a scene occurred. Mr Haughron demanded the withdrawal of the term that they were rascals, and after an interchange of personalities, Mr Bracken said that he had noc called them rascals, nor did he intend to do so. This explanation was accepted, and a vote of thanks to the chair terminated the proceedings, which had lasted from two till eight o'clock.