HOSPITAL AND CHARITABLE AID BOARD.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXXXII, Issue 98, 22 May 1900, Page 2

HOSPITAL AND CHARITABLE AID BOARD.

The Hospital and Charitable Aid Board met on Monday. Present: Messrs. Corkill (chairman), McDonald, Sutton, Smart, Dingle, Stewart, McCullum, Lepper, and Wilkinson. The Hawera House Committee reported that the plans prepared by Mr. Warren for the additions to the Hawera Hospital were very satisfactory; that the thanks of the Board were due to the Postmaster for fixing an electric bell from the fever ward to the main building; that felt slippers be provided for the nurses as at New Plymouth Hospital; that trees be planted in the grounds where necessary. In moving the adoption of the report, Mr. Sutton explained that fresh trees were needed to replace dead ones. He suggested that the porter should lay out a portion of the ground and sow box thorn seed, with a view to planting a shelter hedge—the only shelter that would stand. j The report was adopted, and the matter of shelter hedge was left in the hands of the Hawera Committee to deal with. A claim made by Messrs, Curtis Brothers in relation to the estate of the late Mrs, Ward was referred to Mr. Hannah. Miss Meta O'Brien's request to be placed on the list of probationers was complied with. The New Plymouth House Committee recommended that effect be given to the suggestion of the medical staff' that an additional fireplace be put in at the east end of the large ward for men. After some discussion the report was adopted. A further report from the Committee recommended that Nurse Oldfield's resignation be accepted, and that a suitable testimonial be given to her; also that a capable nurse be appointed for a month from the list of probationers, and that another probationer be appointed ;' that the present system of taking on probationers in priority of application be altered in favour of selection; that the Chairman's action in guaranteeing payment of fees in respect of a patient at the Thernal Hospital be confirmed. The letter of resignation sent by Nurse Oldfield was read, stating that she had received an appointment at Masterton Hospital, and that her resignation was in consequence of the injustice done by placing a junior over her head.

The Chairman said that he was sorry Miss Oldfield had stated her reason for resigning. The matter had been left to the Hawera Committee, and he had no doubt they had good reasons for their action. The medical staff had suggested that Nurse Cunningham should be appointed, as the nurses were averse to advertising for a stranger. There were two ladies on the stall' in their third year, so that the gap could be | filled up and another probationer taken on. As to the present system of en-, gaging probationers, he thought it was preferable to pick out the likeliest and give her a trial, and, other things being equal, the possession of an ambulance certificate should turn the scale. The doctors had spoken very feelingly against the present system, and it was those gentlemen who had to deal with the duffers, not the Board. Mr. Lepper opposed the change, on the ground that it might lead to favouritism.

Mr. Wilkinson thought the proposal was one that took a business-like view of matters, and had for its object the securing of the best possible nurses. He would like to have the opinion of the Board on the question, and therefore moved that the proposed alteration come into force at once. Mr. Sutton seconded the motion,

A point of order was raised as to whether a notice of motion was not necessary, but the Chairman ruled the motion in order. Mr. Stewart moved as an amendment —" That the present system be continued until the list of probationers (16) be- exhausted." He considered it would be unfair .to those applicants already on the list if the alteration were made, as it had been publicly notified that probationers would be chosen according to priority of application. After some further discussion, the amendment was put and carried on a show of hands.

The remainder of the report was then adopted. A letter was read from the Patea Hospital Board asking for co-operation in an effort to induce the Government to allow tobacco supplied to the old men to be free of duty.—No action was taken.

The Special Committee appointed to deal with a site and obtain designs for a new refuge reported that an eligible [site on the western side of the hospital grounds had been negotiated for and the interest acquired. The property belonged to the School Commissioners. who had advertised for tenders for same, and the committee re-1 commended that the Board authorise a] tender to. be sent in. Plans drawn by Mr. Sanderson were submitted, and if j carried there would be a building which I would be a credit to Taranaki. Ac-1 commodation was provided for 39 men and 20 women. If a reduction were necessary the accommodation could be reduced to 29 men and 13 women, and the carotakers' portions be left out. They recommended that alternate tenders be called for on the original aud reduced scale.

I Mr. Sutton expressed an opinion that the retention of the caretakers' apartments was such a vital point that sooner than cut them oft it would be better to drop the building scheme altogether, and he moved that alternate plans be called for the building as a whole and for a building reduced by cutting oft" a wing from each of the portions al otted to men and women.—This was carried. The Chairman was authorised to take the necessary steps to recure the site. Tenders for the additions to the Ilawera Hospital were opened, and thai ot Mr. Thos. Pacey (£375) accepted. 1 lie other tenders were.' —Messrs. Ulliot and King ,£395 and Mr. F. Yearling, ,£424. Accounts wore passed, and the Board rose.