HOSPITAL AND CHARITABLE AID BOARD.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXIII, Issue 215, 17 September 1901, Page 2

HOSPITAL AND CHARITABLE AID BOARD.

TjQE Hospital and Charitable Aid Board met on Monday, Presont: Messrs Sutton, Oliver, McDonald, Wilkinson, Lepper, Stobr, Makay, Stewart and McCullum.

In the absence of Mr. Corkill through indisposition, Mr. Sutton was voted to the chair.

The New Plymouth House Committee reported recommending that Miss G. Davies should be appointed a pro-1 bationer in place of Miss Rolfe resigned. On the motion of Mr. Mackay, seconded by Mr. Sutton, a resolution was passed regretting Mr. Oorkill's absence through illness, and expressing a hope for his speedy recovery.

The . Hawera House Commit* ee handed over Move's old age pension, which they stated would in future be paid in New Plymouth. They reported what had been done as to planting, and suggested further trees being obtained' The police report on the caso of an old native in distress was read. It appeared that he was living alone end was in receipt of rent (less than £34 a year) which would not prevent his getting the old age pension. A neighbour named Steer occasionally looked after him, but the native was in need of blankets. Also that the Maori's sister visited him on pension day and by illtreatment got the money from him. Mr. Sutton stated he bad supplied two blanket) l , and suggested a way of ensuring the native's future comfort.

The Matron reported that Misses Cox and Stoddart had romplet<>d their terms of probation, and were recommended to be retained in service at the Hospital. Agreed to. The Board's solicitors (Messrs Govett and Quilliam) reported on a case of a patient with reference to his claim for compensation for an accident.

A letter was read from Mr, Richmond relative to exchange of land. Mrs. Appleyard applied for a rebate of rent. It was decided to leave ■matters as they were. The Audit Inspector sent a memo relative to the 2s 6d stamp on the declaration attached to the travelling expenses vouchers. He stated that it was illegal to omit the stamp or to pay the fee out of the' Board's funds, Dr. Westenra sent a certificate of health in relation to Miss Hefferzmn, whose name was thereupon placed on the list of applicants for probationsbip, as was also the name of Miss Nora McAllum

It. Webber, contractor for meat at Hawera Hospital, wrote stating he had sold his business to Messrs Adimson, who were willing to take over the contract. The matter was referred to the Hawera committee to deal with.

Thos. Edwards, Inglewood, wrote expressing willingness to adopt Cissy Savage. Agreed to.

The Auckland Board wrote with reference to a patient from Awakino, stating that Awakino was not in that Board's district. The clerk was directed to make inquiries as to what hospital district Awakino belonged Jto. The Auckland Board sent an account of £1 12s for treatment of the case of Jas. Bolton, who had gone to Auckland from Hawera. On the motion of Mr. Lepper, it was decided to pay the account and place the matter in the hands of the police with a view to the recovery of the money. The chairman's action in stopping the allowance to Mrs. Buecoe, Stratford, owing to her husband's return, was confirmed.

Mr. Sutton moved tbat the salary of Nurse Oummins, now at Hawera, be raised to .£45 per annum as from July Ist. Seconded by Mr. McDonald and ca'ried. An extension of time till the next meeting of the Board was granted to the Bye-laws Committee to bring up its report. . Several charitable aid cases were dealt with. The chairman's action in transferring two children to Mrs. Merrit's care was confirmed. Mr. Sutton moved that the question of procuring a stretcher, to be placed in a central and suitable position at Hawera, be referred to the Hawera committee, with power to act. Mr, Stewart seconded, and the motion was carried. Mr. Mackay said that there were other places besides Hawera that required such appliances. He reminded the Board of the resolution previously passed urging the Government to provide proper horse and hand ambulance appliances, which be considered should be supplied by the Department. By passing Mr. Sutton's motion the Board would be establishing a dangerous precedent. The Clerk read the correspondence, in which it appeared tbat the Minister approved of the vote for appliances being placed on the Estimate?. Mr. Mackay moved that the s"cre,tary write to the members of the Houso and Legislative Council representing this district urging on them the advisableness of seeing that provision is made on the Estimates for the present year for a properly equipped ambulance service to meet the requirements of the outlying districts of the colony.

Mr. Oliver: Do you think a proper hors i ambulance service could be provided for £100?

Mr. Mackiy: No, I do not; but we ought not «o turn up our noses at £IOO, especially as if the vote of £IOO is pa?ssd it recognises the principle. The motion was carried. Oa the motion of Mr. Stewart it iwas decided that a detailed statement of the cost to date of the new Refuge be laid on the table at the next meeting. I

Accounts were passed :—New Plymouth Hospital, £217 ; Oharitible Aid, £834 5s sd; Hawera Huspitul, £Bl llsßd.

Tbo Board then, on Mr. Sutton's motion, wont into committee on a matter relating to a bequest. Oa resuming the Board adjourned.