HOSPITAL BOARD.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 279, 17 April 1913, Page 6

HOSPITAL BOARD.

MONTHLY MEETING. The Taranaki Hospital and Charitable Aid Board met yesterday afternoon, the chairman (Mr. F. C. J. Bellringer) presiding. Other members present were: Messrs G. W. Browne, W. Cutfield, E. Maxwell, M. J. Mcßeynolds, D. McAllum, J. R. Hill, J. Brown, A. H. Halcombe and G. W. McDonald. THE STAFF OF LIFE.

'Reference was made by the chairman to tlie question of the bread tenders. The tenders received at the last meeting of the Board were considered to be too high, and tenderers were in consequence asked to send in fresh tenders. Only one had been received, that of Joseph West, but his tender was at the same figure as before. Mr. Bellringer added that he had interviewed the bakers, and had made arrangements with them to supply bread to the Board on the same terms as supplied to hotels, viz., 2d per pound, with 5 per cent, discount off monthly accounts.

According to Mr. 'Macßeynolda, at Invercargill the tenders were at sV a d for the four-pound loaf. A sack of flour, pointed out the speaker, out of which 75 loaves of bread could be made, could be landed at New Plymouth for £l. This bread could be sold for £2 10s. He did not think, therefore, that any of ttie bakers were likely to go bankrupt. It would be a bad day for them, remarked the chairman, when any combine was able to fix the prices of the necessaries of life.

The chairman's action was by the Board, and it was decided to inform Mr. West that no tender had been accepted, as the price was not considered satisfactory. OLD PEOPLE'S HOME.

The matron (Mrs. W. Bayly) reported that everything had gone on satisfactorily last month in the Old People's Home. The discipline had been excellent. There had been three admissions, one departure and two deaths, leaving 32 males and five females in the Home. THE HOSPITAL.

In his report for the month of March the medical superintendent (Dr. E. A. Walker) stated that 40 patients had been admitted to the institution and 47 discharged. There had been four deaths, and 37 remained in the Hospital. Thirty-three operations were performed. INSPECTOR'S REPORT. The Board's inspector (Mr. A. H, Kendall) reported that during the past month no serious outbreak of infectious disease had occurred. The following cases had been reported: One case of enteric fever in New Plymouth; one case of phthisis at Pnriliaka and one case at New Plymouth, the latter patient being a new arrival in the Dominion and now an inmate of the Hospital annexe. Two cases of scarlet, fever had also occuircd at and near to Pihama. He had enquired into these cases and disinfected where the premises were ready for such disinfection. During the month he had visited Inglewood, Waitara, Okato, Rahotu, Opunake, Pihama and other places, inspecting several bakehouses, food shops and hotels. At Opunake the new licensee of Middleton's Hotel was endeavoring to take in hand immediately very necessary improvements to the drainage there. He had also made a careful inspection of the hotel at Rahotu, and was reporting to the Health Department thereon. On his visit to Okato he found that new conveniences had been erected at the local hotel, which were a great improvement on those previously in use. New conveniences were also to be erected at the hotel at Opunake. He had also visited one of the farms near Opunake re alleged water supply pollution, about which the inspector had had correspondence, and found that the matter was being settled amicably by the parties concerned, and the farmer expressed his pleasure at the steps which were being taken. THIS YEARNS LEVY. . The chairman formally moved that a levy for the ensuing year of Is in the £IOO bo made on local bodies in the district. Mr. McAllum seconded -the motion pro forma. >Mr. Maxwell said that it was to he regretted, but there was no help for the increase in the levy from Hid to Is. There had certainly been no waste in administration. An amendment was moved by Mr. Browne that the rate be the same as last year, viz.. lOd. The amendment was not seconded, and the original, motion was carried by an overwhelming majority. ACCOrNTS. Accounts amounting to £727 were passed for payment.