HOSPITAL BOARD.

Otaki Mail, Volume XXIII, 10 December 1920, Page 2

HOSPITAL BOARD.

MONTHLY MEETING. The monthly meeting of the Palmerston. North Hospital and Charitable Aid Board was held yesterday; present: Sir James Wilson (chairman), Messrs W. Murdoch, L. McLean, W. G. Bramweti, J. H. Vincent. J. K. Hornblow, J. A. N.ish. M.P., S. J. Broadbeh, F. Penn, H. W. Smart. D. Collis, M. A. Moody, Mrs Z. S. Gill, aid Dr. L. G. Whitaker.

The secretary reported that the electric light plant was now in operation, the batteries having received the first charge during last week. It would be necessary for the Board to lay down instructions as to the maintenance and care of plant. He suggested that some arrangements be made for the charging plant to be maintained for a short period by some reliable local firm, in anticipation of this, he was asking the contractor who fitted the accumulators to give the Board a price for three months' maintenance. lie was satisfied the Board now had a plant which gave every promise ot reliable service. The engineer reported favourably en the installation of the plant. An offer from Mr !S. Kirklaud to cany out the maintenance lor three months for £23 was received. The matter was left in the hands of too chairman and secretary, with power to act. A letter was received from Messrs Criehtou ami McKay, architects, roughly estimating the cost of erecting twenty additional bedrooms, with the necessary bathrooms and other conveniences, to the muses' home, would be £6BOO. They considered the accommodation would be best placed as an extension to the western wing on the southern end of the building. Beferred to Finance Committee. In committee the Board considered its financial position, and it was decided, fin Mr Smart's motion, when the Board came into open meeting, that a finance committee, consisting of the chairman, the treasurer (I)r Whitaker) and Messrs Nash, Hornblow and Bramwell, should be set up to hold office until the end of the financial year. It was also decided, on Mr Bramwell's motion, that the chairman be authorised to sign an application for -,„ overdraft at the bank to cover the amount of levy on the. local bodies (£5000).