HOSPITAL BOARD.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 317, 17 February 1910, Page 7

HOSPITAL BOARD.

MONTHLY MEETING. The monthly meeting of the Taranaki Hospital and Charitable Aid Board was held yesterday. Present: Messrs. F. C. J. Bellriiiger (chairman), Maxwell, C. Andrews, J. R. Hill, J. Brown, C. O'Sullivan, and D. H. McDonald. The names of Rafeliel Spear, Wellington, and F. G. Mac Lean, Feilding, were added to the outside probationers' list. THE HOSPITAL. Dr. H. B. Leatnam, medical superintendent of the hospital, reported that during the 'past four weeks 44 patients had been admitted, 35 had Been discharged, 2 nacl died, and there were 35 remaining. Sixteen operations had heen performd. OLD PEOPLE'S HOME.

The matron i-n charge of the Old People's Home (Mrs. M. Farrar) reported that two persons had been admitted during the four weeks, and one inmate had left, leaffag 32 inmates (27 males and 5 females) in the Home. Discipline had "been good. ELECTION OF NEW BOARD.

The Inspector-General (Dr. T. H. A. Valintine) notified that the first meeting of new boards under the legislation of "fast year wouiu be held on April 1, the day after the termination of the old boards' term of office, so that there should be no interim. Dr. Valintine stated that the election of boards under the new Act would be he'd on March 16; that in framing regulations with regard to the appointment of representation, he had, as far as possible, arranged for the same number of members as with boards under the old law, except where the boards had been composed of all the members of a county council and borough, which made a large and unwieldy board. Personally, he woufrT rather see a small than a large boant, of 8 or 12 members. The Act, however, provided that a board should consist of not less than 8 or more than 20 members. Where there was a great number of local bodies it would naturally be. difficult to have small boards, i Dr. Valintine proposed to apportion the | local bodies in this district, so that the j board would consist of 12 members'. Bei fore definitely deciding thereon, howI ever, he would like to have the Board's : opinion at the earliest possible date.

The secretary stated that in reply to Dr. Valintine the chairman Sad replied, suggesting that the board consist of nine members, apportioned as follows: Clifton County, 1 member; Taranaki County, 3 members; New Plymouth and Fitzroy, 2 members; Inglewood and Waitara, 1 member; Egmont County and Opunake Town District, 2 members'. In reply 'Dr. Valintine wrote that the correct apportionment of members would be as foMows:—Clifton County, 1 member; Taranaki County, 4 members; New Plymouth and Fitzroy, 3 members; Inglewood and Waitara, 1 member; Egmont County and Opunake Town District, 2 members —a total of 11 members.

The chairman pointed out that this representation gave the Taranaki County, with New Plymouth and Fitzroy, seven representatives on the hoard, a majority vote. This should not be.

Mr. Maxwell considered that the grouping of representation was' excellent, but the apportionment very bad. The chairman's suggestion of nine members, and his apportionment of them, were very good. The iiicrease in the size of the board was only piling on expense.

Mr. J. Brown remarked that if the Government would "have eleven members it would have them, and it was no good "kicking against the pricks."

On the motion of Mr. Maxweit, seconded by Mr. oTSullivan,0 T Sullivan, the board passed a resolution regretting that its' recommendation had not been agreed to, and expressing the. opinions that the representations given to New Plymouth and the Taranaki County were too large, and that a hoard of eleven members was also too large.