OPOTIKI HOSPITAL BOARD

Opotiki News, Volume X, Issue 1053, 9 December 1947, Page 3

OPOTIKI HOSPITAL BOARD

REVISED HOSPITAL PLANS ESTIMATED COST £152,000 The liibt meeting of the newly- 1 elected Opotiki Hospital Board was held in the Borough Chambers on fipday last. Present: Mrs. V. 'E. -iJilson, Messrs. T. G. Johnson, J. VV. Kemp, S. Maxwell, J. . • iiedpath, W. Maxwell, Boris Black, J. D. Clark, Dr. 0. S. James (medical superintendent) and Mr. E. C. East 1 (secretary). * At Ike commencement of the meeting; the chair was taken by the secretary who extended a welcome to old and new members. He expressed regret that the board had lost the services of Mr, F. B. Starky (late chairman). Mr. East then called for nominations for the position of chairman, Mr. J. D. Clark in proposing Mr. Johnson said the board had a critical time ahead. There was the question of amalgamation and the big building scheme. ’ In seconding the nomination Mrs. Wilson said it was only the luck of the hat that Mr. Johnson was not . chairman last time. Mr. Kemp speaking in-support of Mr. Johnson’s nomination said he felt they would : not be going through such a strenuous time as the board had for the last three and a-half years. He felt the position was a full-time one. There being no further nominations Mr. Johnson was elected unopposed and took the chair. Jn returning thanks the chairman said he appreciated the honour given him. He congratulated those who had got back on the board and welcomed the new members. He would like to point out that their

duty was a serious one to the people. He considered that, looking after the health of the people was the most important of any -local body. They could do their best with the money at their disposal for the benefit cf the sick and needy. Mr. Johnson then moved that the board convey its thanks to- the late chairman who had spent such a lot of time and money in furtherance of his duty. When Mr. Starky had made a mistake he had admitted it. The motion was seconded by Mr. Kemp and carried unanimously. The board also- decided to write to Messrs. Bennett, Blake and Baigcnt, thanking them for their work during their term of office in the board. The chairman’s honorarium was fixed at £SO. On the motion of Mr. Kemp, seconded by Mr. S. Maxwell, Mr. J. D. Clark was elected deputy-chair-man.

The following were appointed a Finance Committee: The Chairman, Messrs. Clark, Kemp and S. Maxwell. A motion by Mr. Kemp that all sub-committees be given power to act was withdrawn after there had been strong opposition. ' The chairman said lie had been chairman on the works committee for three and a-half years and it was no good unless they had some power. Nothing ever got done. Mrs. Wilson said it was very difficult to know where to begin and where to end. Mr. Clark said there was no need to wait for the monthly meetingOn .urgent matters members could be communicated with and ii a majority was in favour action could be taken. Mr. Clark referred to the building work that had been done. Nobody had been in charge. Mr. Kemp said the committee had no power and the work could have been done much cheaper. Mrs. Wilson said it was the fault of the board if the work cost more than was neessary. Mr. S. Maxwell said the whole board was responsible. Mr. S. Maxwell then moved that a Works Committee be formed and that it have authority to spend up to £3O oil any urgent work. Seconded by Mr. W. Maxwell and carried. The following Works Committee was then appointed: The chairman and Messrs. Boris Black, J. D. Clark, W. Maxwell. Messrs. Boris Black and A. J. "■ Kemp were appointed farm supervisors. . The minutes of the previous committee were confirmed. Mr. Clark referred to the new nurses’ home and said it had been left to him to peruse the documents. Tenders were being advertised. In regard to Mr. Clay’s property lie reported the deal with the board had been completed and the puce for compensation fixed at £IOO., The board approved of Mr. Clark s action. ! , New Hospital- —Correspondence was read in connection with the revised plans of the new hospital. These showed that for a 40-beu general hospital and a 36 nurses home the estimated cost was £152,000 The revised plans show a 1 saving of £43,000 over the concrete I structure. The cost per bed is approximately £3,800. . 1 Dr. McNicklc, Director-General of Health) reported that the'sketch plan of the proposed hospital ruth modifications had been approved and the board could now proceed with .the plans. Mr S. Maxwell pointed out that the Government was bearing all the capital cost and asked why the local body should be asked to raise the pw t «”:t S l,»"the Govern^