HOSPITAL BOARD.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 7074, 21 February 1893, Page 3

HOSPITAL BOARD.

The monthly meeting of the South Canterbury Hospital and Charitable Aid Board was held at the Hospital this morning. Present—Messrs J. Jackson (chairman), R H Rhodes, Graham, Sherralt, and J. M. Barker, An apology wa> received from Mr Talbot. The chairman a'ated that there was not much to do. Everything was moving along smoothly and satisfactorily. There was no unusual strain upon their funds, and casual charitable aid was less than this time last year There were one or two families which would be a drain upon them, but the chari table aid was leas than for some time. The finances at the present time were in a satisfactory condition. There was £1759 12s 3d in the Bank, accounts to pay £336 Os lid, leaving £1423 lls 9d to credit ; a better position he believed than this time last year. In accordance with the decision of the previous meeting three designs had been prepared for a shelter shed for tho doctors’ horses and vehicles, but he was sorry to say tho prices were beyond the limit proposed by the Board, ranging from £63 5s to £lO5, It would be for tho Board to say whether any of these designs should be carried out. They should also toko info consideration the erection of a fence on the Queen street front, estimated to cost about £6O. Tho Board must prepare its estimate next mouth, and it was for them to say whether these works should be included. There were five patients who had been in the hospital beyond the lime allotted by By-law 53, their terms being respectively, 383, 223, 92, 73, and 67 days A letter from Dr Lovegrove, senior member of the medical staff, stated that the staff wore willing to abide by tne decision of the board and accept £25 per annum each, as remun?ra,iion for their services at the hospital. Some correspondence was read concerning the refusal of the Colonial Secrttary to pay the subsidy, £l7 10s, on the Raeaell bequest dividend, which has been paid for some years The Law Officers had given their opinion that income derived from bequests is not eubsidisable, though direct bequests are.— It was resolved to communicate with three other hospital and charitable aid boards who are also recipients of dividends from the same bequests, asking their co-operation in protesting against tho refusal of the subsidy, and demanding its payment as heretofore. The secretary staled that be bad sent out a number of accounts to late hospital patients, but bo far no money bad been received.

The resolution parsed at a previous meeting that £25 be spent on a shelter shed was rescinded, and £4O directed to be put on the estimate for the purpose It was stated that the cost of the shed could be reduced within that sum by omitting from the cheapest one the concrete floor.

A letter was read from Mr B. Richardson, enclosing cheque for £2 12s 9d, fines paid by shearers.

It was decided to place a sum on the estimates for new fence on Queen street. Mr Jowsey said an iron fence had been suggested by Mr McLaren, he himself thought a brick wall would cost very little more and would make a bettor jab A number of letters relating to charitable aid cases in iha country were read. The Board ratified the action of Mr Talbot in arranging for the boarding out of a motherless infant at 5s a week for a few months, until the father got a little over bis difficulties

Mr Graham asked for an increase on the 50 rations allowed to a Wairoafce woman with four illegitimate children, the woman being now sick.—lt was agreed to increase the allowance by one-fifth for the present

Two charitable aid cases in which women, deserted wives, were recklessly adding to the population and to the liabilities of the board, were discussed in pretty strong language, and it was remarked that this class occasioned the heaviest drain upon the charitable aid funds. Accounts as above-mentioned were passed for payment and the board rose.