HOSPITAL BOARD.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 149, 19 November 1914, Page 6

HOSPITAL BOARD.

MONTHLY MEETING. The ordinary meeting of the Taranaki Hospital and Charitable Aid Board was held at the Board's office, New Plymouth, yesterday, when there were present: Messrs F. C. J. Bellringer (chairman), Mrs Dockrill and, Messrs E. Maxwell, M. J. Macßcvnolds, D. McAUum, J. R. Hill, J. Brown,*G. V. Tate, A. H. Halcombe, and D. H. McDonald. The secretary read the notices from the various returning officers notifying the re-election of the various county ratepayers' representatives as follows: Messrs J. Brown, G. V. Tate, J. R. Hill, and P. McAUum (Taranaki); E. Maxwell and M. J. Macßeynolds (Egmont), and A. H. Halcombe (Clifton). The chairman congratulated the members on being returned unopposed. This was an indication that the attention of the Board to health matters was appreciated by the ratepayers, and there was no doubt that the were also pleased with the progressive policy adopted by the Board, and their re-elec-tion was a distinct compliment. Personally, as chairman of the Board, he was delighted to have the old members back. Their relations on the Board had always been very cordial, and the results had been all that could be desired. He hoped that the same good feeling would continue and that the members would have no cause to regret their reelection. THE HOSPITAL. Dr E. A. Walker (medical superintendent of the Hospital), reported that during the month 53 patients had been admitted, 57 had been discharged, and four had died. There were now remaining in the Hospital 51. The greatest number of patients in the Hospital on any one lay was 04. Forty-seven operations had been performed. OLD PEOPLE'S HOME. Mrs Bayly, matron at the Old People's Rome, reported that during the past month everything had been working satisfactory. The supplies had been very *ood and the discipline excellent. There :iad been four admissions, six departures, md two deaths. There were now remaining in the house 26 maies and 11females. HEALTH INSPECTOR'S REPORT. Mr C. M. Lepper (acting-health inspec;or) reported that during the period 'rom October 21st to November ISth, 1914, he had visited Warea. Three cases )f infectious diseases had been notified, ,'iz., tuberculosis, at Smart road; chicken jox, at New Plymouth; typhoid fever, at Warea. He had made three investigations and performed one disinfection.

AKE AKE. District Nurse Kelly notified that she had visited the Pungarehu school and inspected the children, who were suffering from ake ake. She found that both Maoris and European children had the disease, which the Maoris had in a worse form. She instructed the teacher and children what to do,, and also inspected the school.

On the motion of Mr. Maxwell, the Board decided to pay 5s for ointment used, as the nurse was acting in the capacity of native health nurse. Dr H. E. Finch, District Health Officer, notified that section 148 of the Education Act, 1008, gave teachers the power to exclude children suffering from ake ake from school. This section, ho understood, was to be included in the Education Act that was being passed. For that and other reasons the Department did not consider it desirable to make ake ake a notifiable disease. APPOINTMENT OF NATIVE NURSE. Miss Maclean, Assistant Inspector of Hospitals, in acknowledging receipt of the Board's letter asking for the appoint of a native health nurse for the Taranaki Hospital District, stated that as no reasons for the request were given, she would be glad of some data as to the n.-ed of a nurse in the district, as requested in her letter of Septembor 2nd, in order to put the matter before the Minister and the Public Service Commissioner. In view of the fact that only very necessary appointments were bein» made at present, and that several nurses were now required for the Nortli of Auckland District in connection with outbreaks of enteric fever, and that it was very difficult to get nurses for this work, it was likely that an appointment for Taranaki could not, in any case, be made immediately. In the course of discussion, membors pointed out that from the tone of the letter it appeared as though Miss Maclean thought a fresh appointment was required, whereas it was an appointment to replace Nurse M»iir, who had resigned. THE NEW HQSPITAL. In reply to a question as to how the various local bodies were paying their quota to the new Hospital, the secretary stated that local bodies had so far contributed £5856 18s 9d, made up as follows: Taranaki County Council, £2IOB 18s 9d, Egmont County Council £990, Clifton County Council £BOO, New Plymouth Borough £ISOO, Waitara Borough £l9B, Inglewood Borough £2OO. The subsidy received was' £4200, and a further £I6OO had ben claimed. This made a total of £11,813 17s 6d. The expenditure had amounted to £13,121 18s 3d, leaving a debit balance of £I3OB 0a 9d.

The Building Committee reported that everything in connection with the new hospital was progressing satisfactorily. It was resolved, on the motion of Mr G. W. Browne, to ask the Borough Council to take in hand the formation of Downe street from Morlev street to West street. Members were of opinion that that would be the main entrance to the new hospital.

OPUNAKE COTTAGE HOSPITAL. Mr MacKeynolds again brought up the question of obtaining a site for a cottage hospital at Opunake. He referred to the possibility of securing an education reserve at Opunake for the purpose and on his recommendation, it was decided that a deputation, consisting of the town members of the Board and Mr McAllum, should wait on the Education Board in connection with the matter.

GENERAL. It was resolved to place the name of v f ?:, A - N icoll on the Probationers' list at the Hospital. Accounts were passed as follows MwllhV lld ' and CharitaWe The chairman referred to the return of Dr Leatham, who, he stated, had brought back some apparatus for the Xrays at the hospital, and who had again taken up the work in that department