HOSPITAL BOARD.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 59, 11 March 1914, Page 2

HOSPITAL BOARD.

MONTHLY MEETING. The monthly meeting of the Hospital Board was held yesterday morning. Present: Messrs J. McAllister (chairman), W. Rogers, J. Smith, J. c’hristoffel, E. Walter, E. Hine, A. Meredith and C. .1). Sole. i | For the Backblocks. | Mr Smith moved, in accordance [with notice, that the matter of procuring a building site at 'Whangajinomona for the future erection of a •cottage hospital be considered. Mv Smith said it was part of the duty of the Board to look alter the wants of the out-back settlers. He had always dolt that a cottage hospital was necessary, and now that a resident medical man had been appointed at Whangamomona he thought the time was Opportune for its erection. Mr Sole said the motion would open up a. big question—that of a district J nurse. If there was a cottage hospital there would have to be somebody m charge of it, and the Board would have to apply for the services of a | district nurse. The cottage hospital '.would not be so much for the needs of I the residents of the township as for i cases from further out. These small hospitals tended to become expensive and the cost would not fall on the outback people only, but on the whole of the Board’s ratepayers. However, he felt sure that the Whangamomona people would be willing to help themselves in this respect. He seconded the motion pro forma. ' Mr Smith said the question of building and staffing should not be discussed at the present moment—all he desired was to have the site procured. He was sure that when the time came the residents of the district would rise to the occasion. His idea was to endeavor to get the Government to set aside a piece of land for a site.

Mr Meredith said a difficulty lie Foresaw was the difficulty of getting a site near Whaugamomona suitable for a hospital. There were excellent sites for the purpose at Kohnratahi, a few miles further on. He would be pleased to bring the matter before the Whangamomona County Council.

Cr. Siiiith said he*' had no desire to tie the hands of the Hoard as to the locality of the site.

Mr Walter thought it was hardly wise to choose a site until the Board was prepared to go on with the build-

The -motion was carried with the addition of a provision that the site be at or near Whangamomona and that Mr Meredith report to next meeting on the question, after inspection and inquiry. Hospital Extension. The Inspector-General of Hospitals wrote: “f am in recept of your letter of February 11th, together with plan with regard to the erection of additional accommodation for nurses at the Stratford Hospital. As far as I can remember, the existing two-bed-ded building for nurses is on the western side of the female ward, and. if my memory serves me correctly, would he in the way of any extension of that ward if such should lie considered necessary. Before, therefore, approving plans for the erection of a building which necessitates a certain degree of permanency, I would be glad if you could make matters clear on this point. It is possible that I shall be in the Taranaki district about the end of this month and I may have an opportunity of visiting your hospital and discussing the matter with your Board.” The secretary stated that ho had replied that the proximity of the public street precluded extension westward, and if any extension were undertaken it would be in a northerly direction. He had pointed out that it was desirable to make an early start with the work.

Mr Sole said the building would take three months to complete. He moved that tenders be called. No doubt, he said, the tenders would close about the time of the Inspector General’s visit.

It was decided that tenders be call-) ed, tenders to be dealt with by the Visiting Committee with the approval of the Inspector-General. Reports. \ The Medical Superintendent (Dr. Steven) reported as follows: —During February 13 patients were admitted, 14 were discharged, and 11 remained at the end of the month. Five operaions were performed under anaesthetics. Dr. Robertson was in charge during my absence from February 11th to 19th. The matron, Miss O’Brien, left on February 20th on holiday. The gardener reported: I have nothing special to report. The vegetables are plentiful and look very well. The bottom part of the vegetable garden is now cleared and planted. The gravelling is finished. On behalf of the Visiting Committee, Mr Sole said ho had visited the Hospital on one or two occasions. Everything seemed to bo going on satisfactorily. The Matron had reported no requirements. Mr Smith said he was quite satisfied with the gravel put down. The Sanitary Inspector reported: Infectious Diseases; No infectious diseases were notified during the past month. Disinfection was carried out after a death from consumption at promises in Stratford Borough. Stratford Borough ; An old building in Rosalind Street is being repaired as recommended . All the butchers’ small goods rooms and pickling rooms have been made to comply with tin new regulations, except one. The marts, fruit shops and fish shops were inspected. Forty pounds of bananas and six pounds of grapes were condemned and caused to be destroyed. Stratford County; Two butchers’ shops

were inspected. Whangamomona County: Three butchers’ shops were re-inspected in connection with recommendations made under the new regulations. Two have been made to comply, and in the other case the work has not been completed. Three nuisances were abated and one occupier of premises was asked to abate a nuisance. Three boardinghouses, two bakehouses, one fruit shop, one school and live stables were inspected. The secretary reported two cases of infectious diseases, reported to him that morning, and stated that the Sanitary inspector would deal with the premises concerned in the afternoon. To be Sent Bach. In the case of a married coupl* ht indigent circumstances and with six children, the husband being a semiinvalid, it was decided to pay the family’s fares back to the Wellington district, where they have friends. — The chairman said that the man had been sent to Taranaki by the Wellington Board in the hope that the climate would improve his health.