TARANAKI HOSPITAL BOARD.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 317, 17 June 1915, Page 6

TARANAKI HOSPITAL BOARD.

MONTHLY JiKKTIXG, The ordinary minting of tile Taranaki Hospital and Charitable Aid Board was lurid at the Hoard's ollice, New Plymouth, yesterday, when there were present: Messrs F. C. J. Bellringer (chairman), A. E. iSykes, E. Maxwell, it. J. Mae'lteynolds, I D. -MoAlUmi, .J. K. llill, J. .Brown, G. V. Tate, A. H. Tlalconibe and 1). 11. McDonald. lIEALTIH OMCEirs IIEiPOKT. The acting-inspector (Mr. C. M. Lepper) reported that during the last four weeks he had visited Tikorangi. Three cases of diphtheria had been notified from Waitara. He had made three investigations and performed three disinfections, OLD .PEOPLE'S HOME. The matron of the Old People's Home ('Mrs. A. Bayly) reported that everything had been progressing very favorably during the past month The supplies had been very good and discipline excellent, wilth the exception of four cases which were dealt with ll>y the chairman. There were four admissions, one departure and two deaths. There were now in the ITome twenty-eight males and five females. The admissions were two from Hawera and one each from Kaponga and Opunake. SUPEIUNTEMMiVT'S RETORT. Dr. E. A. Walker, medical superintendent of the Hospital, reported that 55 patients had been admitted during the month; 50 had been discharged and five had died. There now remained in the hospital fll, and the highest number »» < the hospital on any one day was ,<JI. The month had'been a busy one in all departments, and the staff had responuea well to all requirements. There had been 34 operations during the montn. TRAVELLING EXPENSES. Discussion took place regarding the drastic regulations in regaVd to payment of travelling expenses to members. Tho Audit Inspector (Mr. Fowler) returned the vouchers for the past twelve months and asked . that itemised expenditure should Ibe given, together with receipts for all amounts except railway fares , and Hems not exceeding ss. Mr. Maeßeynolds said that lie was . auite •willing to give the particulars required in the future, l>ut it would be , | absolutely impossible for him to o'otaia • | receipts for past expenditure. In many instances his expenses amounted to mort ■ | than what lie had charged. Mr. Maxwell agreed.

The chairman said that the auditol would he satisfied if the statutory declaration were made for the last voucher. He considered that the Hoard had been moat careful in its administration, cautious at times amounting almost to meanncsk He thought that the travelling expenses drawn by members wera most reasonable.

Mr. J. R. Hill said that these drastic regulations emanated from districts where tlie expenses had 'been abused. Mr. 0. V. Tate considered that they Were asked to knuckle down to a bit of red tape. The expenses wore reasonnhle as compared with any other Board. They were elected by the ratepayers and could surely be trusted to the amount of 10s expenses they obtained. He would rather resign than knuckle down. Mr. McAllum was of the. same opinion. It seemed as though they rwere accused of obtaining money under false pretences and were put on a par with charitable aid recipients. The chairman considered that the attitude of the Department was ridiculous over tlie matter of expenses. , Messrs J. E. Hill and Mc'Allum considered that the Board should resign as a protest. A resolution was passed, on the motion of Messrs Brown and Maeßeynolds, to the effect that it was' regretted that "•villi' to the lapse of time it would be impossible to obtain receipts for the past twelve months, tout that as far as po» Bible receipts wouui ue obtained in fa tn re. An amendment, proposed by Messrs McAllum and Tlill, that in the opinion of, the 'Board the attested voucher gave sufficient information, was lost on a division. I imm NICTtSEIS TELEPHONE. Tlie Inspector/ieneral notified that the Postal Department could not agree to I the request that the telephone at tna j nurse's residence at Uruti be connected at night, as it would not permit private | telephones t 0 be connected direct to the i main line out of office hours. It also ' stated that the telephonist lived on the premises, and communicatiou could be i obtained at any time. .Mr. W. Old pointed out that the post- | mistress lived over a mile from the post j office, and suggested that the difficulty | might lie got over by having the uurse sworn in tlie same as any other official. Under present conditions thi telephone at the cottage, w-as little better than a ■ farce. The Board decided to continue their endeavors in the matter. ; .- PROBATIONERS. J Tlie following applicants wire placed on the probationers' list:—Misses Florence E. Austin, Kathleen M. JK'.'.s, Ada Olive Rossiter, Ella Eva Surman (New Plymouth), Vlda Alice Mil.-oy (Hillsborough), Florrie Smith (We'ttown), Maggie Lambie (Mangatoki), Amine L. Ha vail (RDtokare), Beatrice Ada Clarke (.Palmerston North), Lucy Phillipa Leech (Awakino), lAmy Wilson ((Hsiwcra) and Queen 'Doris (Patterson (New Plymouth), X-RAY AiPifiAEATUS. The action of the committee in authorising the purchase of the X-ray apparatus at an advanced price of £45 was approved.