HOSPITAL BOARD.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 2, 21 May 1914, Page 7

HOSPITAL BOARD.

MONTHLY MEETING. The ordinary mooting of the Taranaki Hospital and Charitable Aid Board was held in the Board's office yesterday, when there were present: Messrß F. J. Bellringer (chairman), G. W. Browne; E. Maxwell, U. J. Mcßeynolds, D. MeAl'lum, i. E. Hill, J. Brown, A. H. Halcombc, G. V. Tate and Mrs. E. Dockritl. HEALTH INSPECTOR'S REPORT. Mr. Fieldbr, Health Inspector, reported that he had, since last meeting, visited Opunake, Oeo, Inglewood, Okokc, Omato, Tikorangi, Tariki, Waitara. and Pihama. Twelve eases in infections diseases ihad teen notified, which were: Enteric fever 4 (Opunake 2, Bristol road 1, New Plymouth I), scarlet fever 3 (New Plymouth 1, Lincoln road 1, Pihama 1), diphtheria 2 (Inglewood 1, Waitara 1), cerebo spinal fever 2 (Okoke 1, Tikorangi 1), tuberculosis (Opunake). He had made twelve investigations, forty snitary inspections, revisited three dwelldwellinga where eases of infectious disease were isolated, and performed thirtytwo disinfections. The large number of disinfections caused some surprise among members, who were anxious to know the actual localities. The secretary stated that it actually referred to the number of rooms disinfeseted, in one house as many as six rooms were treated. The Inspector will be asked' to specify in future reports the actual nuruebr of houses disinfected. OLD PEOPLE'S HOME. Mis. A. Bayly, matron of the Old People's Home, reported that everything liad been progressing very favourably during the past month. The discipline had been excellent. During the month two people, a male and' a female, had been discharged from the Home. There now remained in the Home 23 males and C females. HOSPITAL iiEPOUT. . Dr. E. A, Walker, medical superintendent of the Hospital, reported that 50 patients had been admitted to the Hospital during the month; 5G had been discharged, and one had died. There now remained in the Hospital 50 patients. The highest number in'residence for one day was 57. The number of operations was 31. The various reports were adopted. TIIE NEW HOSPITAL It was reported that the dilatoriness of some of the contributing loeal bodies in paying their contributions towards the. erection of the new Hospital was causing the Hoard considerable inconvenience. Not only was the Board paying interest oil the amounts outstanding, 'but through the non-urrival of the contributions, the Government subsidy was not obtainable, and the Government was for the time being relieved of its responsibility, but the Board had also to pay interest on this amount as well. Local bodies who were in arrears would have to pay interest not only on the contribution, but on tile subsidy, and the largest contributors would have to pay the most. So far the payments were: Taranaki County, £.102; New Plymouth Borough, £500; and Waitara Borough, £9B. Mr. Maxwell, said that the Kgmont County Council was anxious to pay its

quota, but it was impossible to do so out of general rate, and tihcy were having difficulty in raising the money at a necessary rate of interest. Mr. J. Brown asked why the Taranaki County Council had been singled out. The Chairman said that the Taranaki County had struck a special Fate to cover their contribution, j Mr. Brown said that they had paid t £. r )(J2. Why should they pay when the other local bodies did not! He under- ! Btood that it was a tacit understanding that the money Should be paid in three- : monthly instalments, j The Chairman agreed with the method ' that the Taranaki County Council had adopted in raising tic money. All local bodieß must pay. Mr. .T. Brown agreed with this. He i wanted to force all local bodies to pay up. If the other local bodies met their obligations, there would be no trouble with the Taranaki County Council. Tlie Chairman Baid that he hoped he «ould 'rely on all the assistance possible. Ho had anticipated: certain finance being available and must admit that die had been disappointed. UNIFORM HOSPITAL ACCOUNTS. Dr. T. 11. A. Valintine, Chief Health Officer, forwarded a copy of the uniform system of hospital accounts that had been prepared in the Public Health Office. The Department, he said, was anxious that a uniform system of hospital accounts should l>e initiated which would result in a reliable statement of income and expenditure being prepared for each Board. The Department had power under the Act to require such to be furnished. It was not proposed immediately to make any system mandatory. He also pointed out that under the amending Act of last session all proposed appointments re secretaries were to be notified to the Minister. The Chairman stated .that this appeared to be another case of Departmental rule, which would prove highly detrimental. It meant introducing a very intricate and complicated system of accounts which would mean larger offices and larger stall'. The system in vogue at present was one of simplicity and accuracy, and was. moreover, safeguarded by public audit. Personally •he did not know what they were coming to, and lie hoped something would be' done to checkmate this rule by departmental heads. Mr. Maxwell said that the proposed system had not been tried, 'nor had it received the endorsement of any qualified accountants outside the Department. It was, therefore, unpardonable on the part of the Department to ask Boards to adopt it. He. was satisfied its adoption would not lead to simplification, but the reverse. They should not pass it over, but should suggest to other Boards the advisability of going slow before adopting it. On the motion of Mr. Maxwell, seconded by Mr. .1. Brown, it was unanimously resolved that with reference to the suggestion by the Health Department that Hospital Boards adopt a certain system of keeping accounts, particulars of which they submit, other j Hospital Boards be informed that in the opinion of the Taranaki Hospital Board j there is no warrant for the adoption of the system in favor of which no evidence has been submitted; and which has not, so far as the Hoar:! knows, rewived the approval or endorsement of any association of ac-nntants or other qiiulilied persons outside the Depart-

! merit, whilst on the other hand tins I Board is satisfied the adoption of the ' suggested system would not only be no j improvement, but would entail a very ; great increased cost in book-keeping, j GENERAL. I The Massey Harris Co. forwarded a . donation of £2 towards the funds of j tie New Plymouth Hospital. Accepted with thanks. I Tile Borough Council wrote thanking . the Board for the permission given to I hold the Mayoral installation in tiro ■Hospital The resignation of Miss M. McKinven, district nurse at Opunake, was accepted with regret, and the position was offered to her sister, Miss Iv. McKinven, at present district nurse at Tangitu, King Country. The Chairman formally moved that a rate of Is in the £IOO be struck on all local contributory authorities in 'the Taranaki Hospital and Charitable Aid district for Hospital and Cha-rilabli; Aid purposes for trie year 1914-15. This waa second and carried. Accounts amounting to £783 9s 8d were passed for payment.