HOSPITAL BOARD.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume L, Issue 61, 22 October 1907, Page 3

HOSPITAL BOARD.

At the ordinary monthly meeting of the Taranaki 110-pital and Charitable Aid Board yesterday there were present: nosers J. Jl- Parker (chairman), F. Bcllringer, C. Andrews, J. Brown, C. O'Sidlivau, and D. 11. McDonald. STAFF SALARIES. The House Committee recommended a re-adjustment of salaries, as follows: Dr Walker's, increase from £IOO to £125, bead nurso .€7O, second nurse £OO, third nurse £SO, change nurse £45; other nurses to remain as at present.' The Committee further suggested that the secretary be allowed an extra £lO per annum for clerical assistance. They also asked authority to have the isolation ward and the hospital interior painted where necessary. Mr McDonald considered Dr Walker's salary should be increased to £l5O, and moved to that effect. Mr Andrews asked if Dr. Walker had asked for tins increase.

The chairman replied that the matter was one of old standing. Dr Leatiiam bad mentioucd some time ago to the Board that lie considered Dr. Walker .underpaid. Possibly the latter had been aware of thai, and bad-made no application. The committee had (bought the suggestion would c.mie with more grace from the committee than an amplication from Dr. Walker himself. Mr O'Sidlivau seconded the amendment, ti-""'"isna 1

' ilr Brown opposed the amendment. The committee had very carefully considered the matter, and thought they were treating the surgeons and nurses liberally. The Board should bear in jnind that the hospital district had been considerably reduced, and he could not see how the doctor's work could have increased. Mr McDonald said the work was increasing despite the curtailment of the boundaries. They were getting more patients now than ever. He pointed out that the hospital had a stall' that would do credit to any hospital. An increase of ,{SO a year was none too much.

The amendment was put and lost, and the. committee's report adopted. CHAU.MAN S REPORT.

The chairman reported, inter alia, thai new books for the hospital library had been procured as authorised. Towards the end ol last month a local gentleman had oll'ciod to pay the expenses of one 01 the Houio inmates to ms iiaiids in Australia. The old mail absolutely declined llie oiler. Another iuuiate had come into an income of ,£2O a year, and this would be payable to the Hoard. Ihe husbmd of a chantable aid recipient had come into a legacy of nearly £SOO, and had already signed the money over tu a publican. Some action would probably be taken. The wardsman was ill, and a man temporarily engaged in lus place. OLD PEOPLE S HOME. The manager of the Old Peopled Home (ilr A, G. i''arrarj reported there liad been during the month one departure, lour admissions, and four death-.: —Tiichard John Chambers, aged 113; Barbara Omauski, aged U7; -urn l'uwcr, £ged 1)3; and Jlobeit (Jill, aged 53. Discipline was good, and UTe health of the inmates much improved since last report.

MEDICAL KEPOitT. Dr Leatham reported that 20 patients had been admitted to the hospital driug the month. Thirty-two were discharged, and live had died. . There now remained 23 in the institution. AN LNDESUIABLE INMATU. -Mr 11. llulliwell wrote asking the Board to readmit to the Old People's Home a man named Coutts. It was not necessary to keep him at the Porinu Mental Hospital, and an Old People's Home, though perhaps not the proper place, wits the only place suitable in his case. The secretary reporting |thiit the man had been committed to the asylum on the certificates of the necessary medical men and a magistrate, the Hoard could not accede to the request. GENERAL. The Treasury notilied payment of £325 Ids Ud to the Board's credit. The Stratford Hospital Board forwarded cheque for £llO 10s. The Auckland Board declined liability for cost of treating Patrick Molloy in the New Plymouth Hospital. Dr. Leatham forwarded a donation of .Co 5s to the hospital funds. Accounts amounting to £502 17s Od wore passed for payment, being hospital £3.% 8s lid, and charitable aid £lO7 Ss lOd.