WAIPIATA SANATORIUM

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24418, 2 October 1940, Page 11

WAIPIATA SANATORIUM

MONTHLY COMMITTEE MEETING The monthly meeting of the Waipiata Sanatorium Committee was held last Wednesday, all members being present. Messrs Adams Bros., solicitors, Dunedin, and Hospital Boards’ Association, Wellington wrote regarding the recent legislation authorising joint committees, with the concurrence of the contributory hospital boards, to pay chairmen an allowance not exceeding £IOO in any year, by way of remuneration for their services.—lt was decided that the chairman’s honorarium be fixed at £IOO for the current financial year subject to the approval of the contributory boards. The medical superintendent, Dr A. Kidd, reported that six patients had been admitted during August, seven were discharged, two had died, and 131 remained at the end of the month, the majority of whom were doing well or improving. He reported on his visits to the different centres in the committee's district during September, and recommended as suitable for admission to the sanatorium Seven patients from Southland, four from South Canterbury, and one from Vincent—a total of 12. The National Electrical and Engineering Company. Ltd., Wellington, advised that the Diesel electric engine for the generating plant was being forwarded by the manufacturers, but the alternator would not be to hand for some time. — Received.

The Director-general of Health, Wellington, wrote asking if the committee would agree to afford British children free outpatient treatment, and this was agreed to. The secretary. Hospital Boards' Association, Wellington, wrote asking for the committee’s opinion as to whether it is considered that a general increase of 5 per cent, in salaries and wages retrospective to August 12 should be granted to the nursing staff and others not covered by the Arbitration Court Order increasing the minimum rate of wages under awards by 5 per cent. —It was resolved to adjourn consideration for one month until the contributory hospital boards have arrived at their decisions. Mr A. C. Ford, architect, Invercargill, forwarded tenders for the painting work at the institution, and these were held over until an estimate of the cost was obtained. —Mr Ford also forwarded a plan of the proposed drainage and septic tanks, and it was decided to call tenders for the work. The secretary reported that at September 25 the associated beards had patients in the institution as follows;—Southland 65, South Canterbury 25, Ashburton 14, Waitaki 13, South Otago 12, Vincent 3, and Maniofoto 3—a total of 135. Since the previous meeting 13 patients from 4 hospital districts had been discharged. He also submitted a waiting list of 16 patients from 3 districts. The farm manager, Mr B. Ritchie, forwarded his returns of milk and meat supplied to the institution during August, and advised that at the end of that month he had 85 cattle, 790 sheep and 59 pigs on the farm. Account sales totalling £lO 6s 9d had been received during the month.

The report of the Farm Committee was approved. The treasurer submitted statements of the committee’s receipts and payments for August, showing that at August 31, 1940, there was a credit balance of £367 7s lOd. He also submitted statements of receipts and payments for the five months ended August 31, as compared with the amounts estimated for the period. The actual maintenance receipts were £IBB 2s 5d less than the estimate, and the actual maintenance payments were £BIB 19s 5d above the estimate. The schedule of accounts and salaries totalling £1959 14s lOd was passed for payment. It was decided to hold the next meeting of the committee at Dunedin on October 29. The question of making application to the Post and Telegraph Department for providing money order and savings bank facilities at the sanatorium was left in the hands of the medical superintendent and the secretary, as was any building alteration should the application be granted.