HOSPITAL BOARD.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXIII, Issue 8, 7 May 1912, Page 4

HOSPITAL BOARD.

MONTHLY MEETING. The montlily meeting of the Stratford ilcsp.tai and onaritabie Aid Board uus iieia to-day. inere were present: Messrs. E. Marfell (chairman;, j. McAllister, A. Mereditn, W. itogers, J. Cliristoffel, E. Hine, and «L bUlltll. ' . A Case cf Destitution. 1 Correspondence was read concerning a case 01 destitution, the facts being tiiut an uule-oodieu man, with a wire and s.x or seven children, living at W-uuiigainoiiioiia, iva» not providing sufficient mnds to support his family. J±:s wire moved to New i'lynioutn, wliere siie and iier children became a, ciiarge on tne local <Uliaritable Aid Boaru. Hie secretary of tlie New I'lymoutn institution wrote to tne Stratford 13card informing them tliat the family was quite destitute. They.wire living, lie said : , m a cottage wheretliere was no ued clothing, except straw en tiie floor, and no rood until tlie neigiibours provided some. He had given temporary relief, but asked the .ncard to take some steps to make the man realise h.s responsibilities. "A doctor and nurse,' food" and clothing, for a woman and six cmidren, costs money," added the secretary. It was stated by 'the secretary that the husband had ueen written to, and it was a fact that tne man was in receipt cf good wages, and also that he had. been in that nappy state for some time past. It was oovionsly strange tiiat a man in tnot position should have a destitute family, if by Tilesday the Board had not received from tlie husband the money for the maintenance of the' family the Board would take the proper steps to deal with the case. In 1 endorsing 'the secretary's statement, Mr. Cnristoffel said that the man had been earning good money. He understood that the wife was one of those unfortunate women who had no control over their expenditure, and , she would live up to £iOOO a year if slie were allowed. However, he considered that it was necessary to do something to make the man "toe the line." ■ Other members considered that "toeing the line" should be accomplished by a short spell in a gaol, in addition to having to keep his family. It was pointed out that the man could be proceeded ag&unst by his wife for maintenance, but that the Board had little power, to do anything, though it had to keep the destitute family. The Chairman and Secretary were empowered to consult the solicitor and take steps to compel the man to contribute to the support of his wife and family. REPORTS. Tlie Sanitary Inspector reported favourably on the hotels of the Stratford Licensing District. Gardener's Report. The gardener (Mr. Officer) reported that tne cottage garden was ■ well stocked, and likely to be for a time. Ho was at present busy in the front cleaning paths and cutting hedges. Mr. McAllister paid a tribute, which was endorse by Mr. Smith, to the energies of the gardener, and said they were very lucky indeed to have the benefit of Mr. Officer's services. Medical Smperitendaint's Report. The Medical Superintendent, Dr. Steven, reported that at the beginning of April there were fourteen patients in the Hospital. During the month thirteen were discharged, ten wore admitted, and there were no ' deaths. Six operations were performed under anaesthetics. The name of Miss Ann Murphy, of Huiroa, was placed on the probationers' list. The statement of receipts and expenditure showed receipts £52 7s 3d (£2B 15s being from patients aiid £26 lis 3d from local bodies). The expend dituie was £172 13s for Hospital and £45 lis Gd for charitable aid. The balance on the 12th of April was £724 12s Gd, and there was now a credit balance of £515 15s 3d. Financial Matters. A statement was read giving particulars of financial matters. The rateable capital value of the Stratford Hospital and Charitable Aid District at March 31st was £2,857,812, made, up as follows:—Stratford County,-'' £2.042,517; Whangamomona County, £181,151; Stratford Borough, £331,144 TV e roptributx-nn to bo levied by the Hospital Board from the local bodies during the current year are as follows, last year's figures being given in parentheses :—Stratford County, for capital expenditure £302 2s 4d (211 13s), for other than capital expenditure £67l_ 10s (£655 14s), in monthly payments of £55 19s 2d; Whangamomona County Council £7l 12s 2d (£sl 0s 6d), and £159 3s (£142 10s Gd), in monthly payments of £l3 5s 3d; Stratford Borough, £4B 19s 6d (£37 10s 6d), and. £163 17s (£lO4 17s) in ir.cniMy payments of £<> Is sd. The capital expenditure levies are required to be paid before 31st May. The local bodies' contributions for tlie vear total £939 10s, tliis year, a 3 against £903 Ir Gd last year. And the capital expenditure totals £122 lis, as against £323 Is last year. Accounts amounting to £717 were passed for payment.