THE HOSPITAL.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 81899, 7 December 1906, Page 2

THE HOSPITAL.

In the annual report, prcseited by tlic chairman of the Taianaki I and Charitable Aid Board Mr 1 eh mentioned that the rate struck this year was !)d in the £IOO Id less than last year. The credit balance that dav was JCUOU. The separation of the Hawciu and Stratford districts had thrown the upkeep and maintenance of a very large block of wooden buildings on a much smaller area, and the Board would have to keep a tight rein on extraordinary expenditure. The Board had now got Into good working order, and had two very excellent institutions under its charge, por medical attention and nursing the Hospital enjoyed a most creditable reputation, while the Old People's Home was well managed, and for cleanliness and comfort stood amongst the first in the colony. The Hospital building had been erected 20 years, and although not so convenient as the more modern hospitals—requiring a larger stall to work it—yet the building was in good preservation, and in a sanitary condition, and with a little attention to repairs would serve tins district for years to come. In the absence of Dr. Lcatham, in England, Dr. Walker was in charge, and everything worked smoothly. There had been a large number of operations performed during the year, and the surgical work done could not be excelled, and the Board was fortunate in having suc|i,a capable matron as -Miss JJrownc, who was very devoted to her work. The Board had agreed to train a .Maori girl probationer, the Government undertaking to pay cost of maintenance. Probably the question of appointing a resident house surgeon will have to be considered in the near future. The permanent stab", and salaries, were:— .Medical superintendent and assistant, £350; matron and 13 nurses, £400; cook, kitchenmaid, housemaid , and warder, £107; gardener, laundress, £lßl. Old People's Home.- Manager and matron. £l7aj assistant, cook, housemaid, laundress, £158; rent of oliice and secretary's salary, £277: total, £1834. Including the stall employed in both institutions, during the year the Board provid-;! f ofu '[ alK i accommodation for over 100 persons for each and every day throughout the year, exclusive! o( outdoor relief, which was ii rapidly increasing item. He had been asked by several women to induce the Board to appoint a woman inspector to report to the Board on charitable aid case. Whether the Board made the appointment or not, members would always be glad to have the advice of women who interest themselves in this work. There were 13 children under the Board's control; live in good homes with farmers, at no cost to the- Board; 13 in homes costing the Board 7s per week. During a recent visit, Jlrs Grace, Neil, Assistant Inspector of Hospitals, was well pleased with the surroundings, and complimented Miss Ovenden on the children's healthy condition and clean appearance. The children of school age attended school. The consumptive annexe had sleeping accommodation for nine patients. Por the iirst ten months the annexe was kept fairlv busy. Over 20 patients were admitted and received ljcnclicial treatment, some with excellent results. During the last live mouths only one person applied for admission, and only remained a short time. The Old People's Home recently received two coats of paint, and the building was in good condition. There were on the Ist of December 3!) inmates in tile Rome—--32 males and seven females. By arrangement, the Hawera Board nowmade a straight-out payment of }2s per week for each of their Inmates, and a similar arrangement was in force with the Stratford Board. The gradual increase of helpless inmates in the Home had thrown much work on Mr and Mrs Farrar, who ut times 'had a very trying time. Yet they did their work well, and did it cheerfully, the care and comfort of the inmates' being llieir lirst consideration, and it would be hard to iind a cleaner and bctte.iv kept home. Other matters were exhaustively dealt with. Members congratulated Mr Tisch on his excellent management of the Board's affairs. Mr Cock mentioned that when the chairman took ofliee there was a bank overdraft of £4IOO. About C3OOO had since been spent in extraordh.iry expenditure, s npl, us new hi'.;:' :■..,, m . H . i, ( ip liril tiis, and so forth. 'J iv rilU . 1,,,,! bi-en reduced by a penny, and yet the chairman could that day announce a credit of over £llOO. It was fair to mention that Om hud been received in a bequest, nnd ;C,2.> from the ladies of the town, but nevertheless the result was a i'l'oof of the manner i„ which [ho ratepayers' intends had been safeguarded. He predicted that '•re long Mr Tisch would oecupv the position of Mayor „f Xew Plvn'muth, «'"! he would d„ ercdit to that or nnv '"her post in which he was placed, lie «■'■- Blii.l to see that il was now prol»«cd to enact legislation i mit the ;el!airiiii„iof a hospilal board could iveei\e an honorarium, and he was sure ■ t "oue would more fully earn' it than Mr hscli.

Other members followed i„ similar I,'''"' ,""' reference was nill| e to Mr J{. Cook's sen ic,s 1,. ;'■««■«<. A resolution - os lias placed on the minutes.