STRATFORD HOSPITAL BOARD

Taranaki Daily News, 12 January 1916, Page 3

STRATFORD HOSPITAL BOARD

MONTHLY MEETING. (From Our Own Correspondent.) Stratford, Yesterday. Tlie monthly meeting of the Hospital Board was held this morning. Present: Messrs J. McAllister (chairman), ■J. Smith, E, Walter, J. Christoffel, A. Meredith, E. McK. Morison and C. D. Sole. SANITARY INSPECTION. The chairman said in regard to the sanitary inspection of the borough by the Health Department, authorised at last meeting, it would take at least a month for the inspectors to do the work necessary, and it was going to be an expensive matter. Mr. Walter: This is the Borough Council's work and they should do it. Mr. Sole: The matter comes under the jurisdiction of this Board as soon as an epidemic breaks out, and how are we to say the town is in an unsanitary condition without an inspector? His Worship the Mayor later on attended the meeting, and said he was there to ascertnn the attitude of the Board in the matter of inspection. Yesterday, the health inspector had called on him and informed him that undoubtedly an epidemic had broken out in the town and (iistrict. The Borough Council two months ago had decided to have an inspection made, and an inspector from Wellington had arrived and picked out several houses in each street, and had reported 011 the sanitary and plumbing of the places visited. The Council recognised the need of an house to house inspection of ;the Borough by the Health Department's officers, but the matter was an expensive ne. He quite admitted that not fifty per cent, of the residence in Stratford had complied with the Borough bye-laws as regards plumbing and sewerage regulations, and it was a difficult problem for the Council to deal with, because if these regulations were carried out to the letter numbers of ratepayers would be unable to pay for the improvements demanded. The Council at the present time could not borrow money and lend out to these people to carry out the improvements. He felt sure the Council would pay half the cost of the inspection up to, say, £3O. Mr. Smith thought the Council should contribute at least two-thirds of the cost.

His Worship said that possibly the Council should pay the whole cost, but the question was, after the inspectors had done their work, and given their recommendations, could the Council compel the ratepayers to carry out these requirements. Mr. Sole asked his Worship what would be the position of the Council if the Hospital Board declared an epidemic existed and called upon the Council to take immediate action. Was he aware that the Board could do that? His Worship said he admitted that could be done. The chairman asked his Worship what action the Council had taken regarding' 'the* recent report of Inspector Middleton. His Worship said the Council had *iot taken any action so far, on account of the possibility of a more comprehensive report being submitted. The chairman: Would the Council have taken action for an house to house inspection if the Board had not moved in the matter? His Worship: I don't know. Mr. Sole said it was evident the Borough Council's own inspector was doing nothing, and he proceeded to read the Board's health inspector's report on a residence where a recent outbreak of diphtheria had'occurred. His Worship said he was satisfied that theije were plenty of residences in the same condition as that mentioned in the report. Personally, he felt that an inspection should be made although perhaps it inky be an hardship on some people to carry out all the recommendations of the inspector. Mr. Smith said he felt that some steps should be taken immediately. Some of the residences were very old, and built when no thought was given to sanitary requirements. Mr. Christoffcl said the Mayor had already admitted that nuisances did exist in tile town, yet the Council had done nothing to abate them, nor did they care to do anything. His Worship said he would not go as far as that, but it had to be remembered that to carry out a lot of the recommendations would mean that, in soma cases residents could not afford it.

Mr. Solo said he thought the Borough Council should pay throe-quarters of the cost of inspection. The health of the town was most essential and the Board should help in every way to see that improvements were carried out. He moved: "That a comprehensive inspection of the Board be made, providing the Borough Council pays 73 per cent, of the cost. Mr. Smith seconded. As a representative of the country he felt, that great responsibility rested 011 the Board, and he hoped the Board would not shirk its duty. Mr. Walters objected. Jf the Borough Council were asked to pay 73 per cent, of the cost they should surely pay the whole lot. Mr. R. McK. Morison said he did not agree with the motion. The Council had got its own officers, and they should do the work. He certainly thought the 'Board were going a little too far in spending public money. All epidemic had certainly broken out, but not to an alarming extent, and could be easily dealt with. Mr. Sole said that if the six cases of diphtheria reported wore not an epidemic lie did not know what an epidemic was. The chairman said ho favored the motion. If the inspection was carried out and preventative measures adopted, it would save the Board a lot of money in maintainenco of patients in the isolation ward probably. It was also the bounden duty of the Council to see that the recommendations of 'the health inspectors were carried out, as far as possible. The Board were the Board of Health of the town, and a, comprehensive repdrt was most essential. The motion was then p.ut and lost on a. division, the chairman, Messrs Sole, Olid Smith votinu' for it. while Messrs Christnft'el, Walter, I!. MeK. Morison, and Meredith were against. Mr. Morison then moved: ''That in view of the health inspector's report an urgent request be made (0 the Borough Council to proceed with the inspection of the Borough. Mr. Waiter, in seconding, said (he Council should attend to the matter at once. .The chairman pointed out that the Borough Council were compelled under the Public Health Aet, as the controlling authority, to see that a proper inspection of the town was made. The motion was carried. His Worship thanked the Board, and said the Council would deal with the matter.

CORRESPONDENCE. The Inspector-General wrote, pointing nut that there is no uniform charge made for treatment of returned soldiers bv all liosuitals; sonic hospitals cliarpwl Us per

day, and others charged ss, while one Board admits soldiers for £1 per week. He asked that the Board agree to charge ">s per day for all soldiers in hospital. —Agreed to. The Minister of Public Health a.-ked the Board to kindly allow Medical Boards the use of rooms in the hospital for the purpose of examining into circumstances; of sick and wounued soldiers. It was decided that the chairman interview the Patriotic Committee 011 the matter as there were no rooms in the l»cal hospital suitable for the purpose. The District Health Oflieer wrote informing the Board that Inspectors Gray and Middleton would make a special investigation into the sanitary condition of the Borough. The chairman said it was only right that the Department should be informed of the change of attitude of the Board in this matter. Mr. Christoffel said the fact was the Board recognised that an house to house inspection of the Borough was absolutely necessary, but the Borough Council should pay for it. 'lt was eventually decided to write to the Department informing them that in view of a charge being made for inspection the cost should be borne by the Borough Council. Dr. Stevens (Medical Superintendent), reported that during the month sixteen patients admitted, fourteen discharged, four died, two operations had been performed, six patients ,>vcre in the isolation ward, four with diphtheria. With, regard to a returned soldier at 'present a patient in the hospital, he recommended that he be sent to the Rotorua Sanatorium for treatment. ' The Health Inspector (Mr. A. Gray) reported that six . cases of diphtheria were in Stratford County and one in the Borough, all of which were removed to the isolation ward, and promises had been disinfected. One old shed in the Borough had -been inspected, out no nuisances existed. Various food shops had been inspected. The wardsman forwarded his resignation, which was accepted, and it was decided to advertise for applicants for the position. TENDERS. The following tenders for supplies were accepted: Groceries (Masters, Ltd.), bread (Central Co-op. Store)', milk (T, Richardson), meat (T. D. C'olson). Accounts amounting to flSfi were pressed for payment.