HOSPITAL BOARD.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LI, Issue 291, 3 December 1908, Page 4

HOSPITAL BOARD.

The Taranaki Hospital and Charitable Aid Board met yesterday moruing. Mr. Fred Bellringer (chairman) presided. There were also present: Messrs. G. W. Browne, Andrews, Hill, J. Brown, O'Sullivan, and McDonald. OLD PEOPLE'S HOME. Mrs. M. Farrar, matron of the Old People's Home, reported that from October 19 to December 2 there had be?n three admissions and one departure. The number of inmates at present was 34—2!) males and 5 females. The general health of the inmates was fair. Discipline was good, except with two inmates. "AN ARBITRARY PRACTICE.'' The.following letter, written by the secretary, was read:—"The Chief Health Officer, Wellington. Sir,—lt was a surprise to my Board to be informed that -Mr. A. E. Farrar had been refused admittance to the Cambridge Sanatorium, and 1 was instructed to write you that they consider such a practice most arbitrary, especially wliej a patient lias been advised by a medical mail thai the treatment there wouid benefit him, and hope that you may see your way to alter the existing rule. My Board consider the sanatorium was built for the benefit of New Zealandcrs, and not, as they are led to believe, for tourists.—lours faithfully, C. M. Lcpper. secretary.'' The Acting Chief Ileallii Oliitcr's reply was as liJliows: —"I am in receipt of'your communication of the'2Bth inst. re the case of Mr. A. E. Farrar. 1 can scarcely believe that a responsible public body like the Taranaki Hospital Board intended that you should senu a letter so discourteous and petty in tone." Members failed to see anything discourteous in the letter, and eous.u that the Board had in face of the communication now received, grounds on which to write a strong letter in response. Nothing was done in the matter.

CHAIRMAN'S REVIEW. Tlic Chairman delivered an exhaustivc report of the works undertaken during the year. These included alterations to the isolation ward to terminate objectionable conditions, accommodation for isolation nurses, additions to the nurses' home, the enclosing of a piece of the public cemetery lor the burial of Old People's Home inmates, the providing of a smoking room at the home, and the erection of substantial gates at the entrance to the grounds. He could not go fully into finance, owing to the fact that the financial year was not co-torminus with the term of office. Something over £BOO had been expended on works outside the ordinary upkeep—'expenditure which had not been anticipated when the rate was struck. As there remained some four months before the end of the financial year, he anticipated an overdraft. The present position was an overdraft of £SOB. Against this there was £271 Gs Id owing by the contributing bodies. This when paid, with the addition, of t>ie Government subsidy of £483 10s 9d, would more than extinguish the present overdraft. So far as the administration of the local hospital was concerned, everything had been working satisfactorily under the capable management of Drs, Leatham and Walker and the matron (Miss Brown) and her staff. The hospital had not been so busy as in past years. This was, no doubt, owing to the establishment of hospitals at Stratford and Hawera, Several changes had taken place in the nursing staff during the year. The probationers hail all passed their examinations. During the year a Hospital Sunday and Hospital Ball had been held. He thanked all who had assisted to bring about the success of those gatherings, and he recommended that they should be made animal affairs. During the year the nursing staff had been readjusted to ensure that the Hospital should at all times he in charge of a certificated nurse, Nurse O'lirien and Nurse Campbell lieing appointed assistant matrons. There were ten families at present in receipt of charitable aid. There were at present thirty-live inmates of the Old People's Home. Mr. and Mrs. Far-, rar and stall' had discharged their duties to his entire satisfaction. The way the institution was kept was a credit to them and all concerned. He very much regretted that Mr. Farrar had been unwell for some time, but hop -a he might soon be able to resume his duties. The Board had nineteen children under its control, and for fourteen of these permanent and comfortable homes had been obtained. He expressed his thanks to the members of the Board for their valued assistance and support during his term as chairman, to Drs. Jjeatham. and Walker for their unremitting attention to the institutions, to the matron for the efficient maimer in which she had discharged her many duties, and also to Mr. and Mrs. Farrar for their work at tiic Old People's llome. - He especially noted the excellent manner in which the secretary and treasurer had at all times discharged his varied duties. MEDICAL RICPOKT. Dr. Leatham reported that the "number of patients admitted to the Hospital during November was HI; 3S had been discharged, and there hail been .1 deaths. The number remaining in the Hospital was 33.

MISCELLANEOUS. The name of Miss Olive Katfrarinc Riker, Carrington iio;u) 3 was placed o.i the. probationers' list. Jfiss Grace i l '. Sisley tendered he.r resignation as fourth-year nurse in th-. hospital, having obtained a more lucrative position in another hospital. The head gardener, W. Sadler, was granted an increase of salary of £1 per month. Accounts amounting to £2OO 8s o'.l were passed for payment. The Treasury notified that £2Til 13s 7d subsidy had been paid to the credit of the Board.