OPOTIKI HOSPITAL BOARD

Opotiki News, Volume II, Issue 232, 11 September 1939, Page 2

OPOTIKI HOSPITAL BOARD

HOSPITAL APPOINTMENTS NEW, SUJHSIUJNTKINDENT AND MATH ON (JHAIJIMAN GIVES CASTING VOTE The monthly meeting of the Opotiki Hospital Board was held on Friday afternoon. Present : Messrs. S. .Maxwell, J. 1). Clark, J. McDonnell, G. Neilson, S. Shalloon, C. .1). .Brown, E J. Baigent, G. S. Moody.; Dr. A. J Brass (medical superintendent), and Mr. J'. A. 'l'. Henry (secretary). The .minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed and outward correspond I ,once approved. The Public Trustee wrote stating that no more, funds would be available. from the estate of the. late Alexander Jleid. .Messrs. Bunkall and Murray wrote asking for charitable slid for a woman with four .children, whose husband had deserted her. The Department of Health wrote re the necessity of having emergency liglit.s for the operating theatre at the Opotiki Hospital.— Left- in the hands of tlie chairman and Mr. J. I). Clark. Thci Department of Health wrote in connection with the board's contributions towards the rest of the district nurses.—Mr. Clark referred to an asset of £277 on the pievimis balancesheet, and stated that this was not shown in the last balance sheet. .Mr: Shalloon referred to the question of revenue supposed to be collected by the district nurses. He considered it scandalous that Hie re was none (collected. Mr. .Clark said that the nurses were giving treatment to Europeans and also medical supplies. That should not be allowed to happen in future. •On. the motion of Mr. Baigent the chairman (Mr. Maxwell) and Messrs. Moody, Shalloon and Clark were appointed to go into the question of the cost of running the nurses’ cars. The reports of the acting matron and acting medical superintendent were approved. Letter of CcmmendaMcn. A letter dated July 2 lilt, and highly commending the work oi Dr. JL. J. Mail, was received! from Miss J. Fraser, who was lor a time acting matron at the Opotiki Hospital. The chairman explained that he had received the letter in question,, but. as resolutions dealing with the question had already been passed by the board, lie had not given the letter to the board, as he saw that no good pnrjjo.se ce-uhl ho served by doing

Mr. Clark saidl the letter was addressed to the chairman mid members of the .hoard. The chairman had no authority to withhold the letter. The chairman said that special meetings had been held. His wile got the letter from the post office on either the 27th. or 23th. July. . ,_Mr. .Moody,: U that ; ypuiy msoife, i '.Mr. Ipewiy said ' that Jii ihe,op|inAlr Wai-yent asked d tiie c hairman’s explanation coiildl be recorded in the minutes, and in reply, JVlr. Maxwell said he had no objection. Air. Clark suggested that-copies of the minutes should fie sent to members a few days after each meeting. 1:1 his opinion that would bo much more satisfactory as members had a record of eemmittecs appointed and other matters requiring early attention. He moved that the minutes be sent to members as suggested. Seconded by Mr. Maxwell and carried. A letter was received from Miss -E. M. Wedding, hospital matron, Whangaroa. praising the work dene by Dr. Mail, during her association with him in hospital work. —Deceived. A firm of Auckland solicitors wrote a lengthy letter to that hoard, in the coitrso of which it was stated that- the appointment of Dr. Brass to the position of medical. superintendent wen Id be considered recognition of the allegations against Dr. Mail fin their letter of resignation, and it, was suggested! .such action might become the matter ol legal proceedings by Dr. Mail , against the board. The letter suggested that the board should confer with Dr. Mail with a. view to. coining to a of- the trouble. ' The letter was “received”.