STRATFORD.

Taranaki Daily News, 12 April 1917, Page 3

STRATFORD.

THE POSITION REVIEWED.

(From Our Own Correspondent.) [All communications, letters, etc., left with Mr. J. Hopkins, bookseller, will receive prompt attention.] HOSPITAL AND CHARITABLE AID BOARD.

vStratfprd, April 11, 1017. The monthly meeting was held yesterday. Present: Messrs J. Mai-allister chairman), R. McK. Morisoii, J. Christoll'cr, C. D. Sole, W. Rogers, E. Walter, and A. Meredith. The resignation of Nurse Finn was accepted .with -regret, and a letter of appreciation of Iter work in connection with the Board is to be forwarded to her. The engagement of a temporary nurse was left to the chairman.

After a little discussion on the question of heating the rooms in the hospital during the witner months, it was resolved that plans of a hot-water heating installation he prepared and submitted to the Department for approval.

The secretary submitted the annual estimates as follows:—Capital expenditure, £315 (is Sd; apportioned amongst contributing bodies, £1.37 13s 4d; subsidy, £157 13s 4d; other expenditure, £3027 2s fld. The estimated receipts, apart from levy and subsidji, £lfl ! 00; apportioned among local authorities, £1355 18s 8d; subsidy at 18s. 9d per £, £1271 3s fld. Total, £3627 2s 5d.~ Adopted. Subsidies due to the Board for 1917 were: Stratford County Council, rateable value, £2,048,231), levy £1124 2s, in monthly instalments £BS Gs lOd; Whangamomona County Council, £488,11-1, £24.4 13s, £2O Cs'ftl; Stratford Borough Council, £490,841), £245 9s, £'2o 9s Id.

During the month, 19 patients were admitted, 15 discharged; remaining in hospital, 15. '

A. Gray, medical inspector, reported tilljit one dairy farmer had been convicted and fined for soiling watered milk. Hotels had been inspected and recommendations were made in connection with five of them. Food shops had also been inspected.

The chairman, in the course of a review cohering the work of the Board for the 12 months, stated that the Health Department's report shows that the Stratford district well maintains its healthy reputation with regard to infectious diseases. Taking a period of three years, in 1-913 Stratfout had 10 cases, New Plymouth 66, Hawera 61, Patea 42; 1-914. Stratford 30, New Plymouth 74', Hawera 00, Patea 43; 1915, Stratford 2(1 New Plymouth 135, Haw'era 105, Patea 25. The average cost per occupied bed in the Dominion was £lls. Stratford paid £ 144, whilst Nelson Hospital was . £7l, and Waiapu £4lO. Stratford paid more in salary and wages per occupied bed than the other Taranaki boards. Expenditure on charitable aid was similar, to last year. New Plymouth £1573, Hawera *£SB3, Stratford £4BO, Patea £lO2. The expenditure on hospital and charitable aid per head of population was well below the average: New Plymouth (is 3d, Hawera 6s sd, Patea 4s 2d. Stratford 4s sd. The average for the Dominion was 6s s'/od. Westland being highest 13s 6d, and"Waikato lowest Is sd. Judging by the figures and comparisons he had secured, their hospital had more than justified its existence,, and is an institution of which- the Stratford district may well feel proud. Thanks of the Board were due to the medical superintendent;, matron, vand secretary, for' the manner in which they had carried out their duties. As chairman, Mr McAllister acknowledged the great assistance they had given him. Before the Board met again, an election will be held, and he trusted he would again have the honor of being 'a member. 15, however, the ratepayers decided otherwise, he would have the satisfaction of knowing that everything was left in smooth running order for his successor. He also desired to express appreciation of the consideration, extended him by members, and he took this opportunity to congratulate them on the amiable and earnest manner in which they had discussed the business and the good spirit invariably shown.

Members were complimentary of the manner in which Mr MeAlister had filled the position of chairman and the great interest he had shown in the Board. A vote of thanks was also passed for his very interesting and instructive report. GENERAL. Our bowlers returned home last night. They report having spent an enjoyable outing at Palmerston North. Hospitality was good and also the green, likewise Mie weather. Our rink withstood the opposition till the semi-finals', when they were bowled out by one point. Better luck next year. They were a Sharp four, but hardly Smart enougii to become Premiers.

Mr J. McCluggage, a member of the Whangamomona Comity Council, has been elected as representative of that county and Stratford County on the New Plymouth -Harbor Board.

Mrs W. J. Reeve, who, during her stay in Stratford, has been closely identified with W.C.T.U. work, «•».% visited on Saturday and presented ' members with a fine Doulton salad I. I as a small appreciation of her work a 3 member and president. The recipient suitably acknowledged the gift. Mr Reeve, recently appointed Clerk of the Court at Feilding. left with Mrs Reeve and family for their new home, yesterday. The Ponsonby Fife and Drum Rand found the weather decidedly moist during the few hours they graced Stratford with their presence. The playing of the lads in the streets yesterday afternoon and in the evening was appreciated to the extent of £6, total collected This morning- they left for Elthan(. and the clouds are still weeping. At Cardiff last night a farewell was tendered Private Brown, now on final leave. The evening took the form of a social, the performers assisting including Miss Howe and Messrs J. Peters J Rowe, and T. Wilson. Mr Barker was M.C. to the dances, and Mr C. Fox supplied the music.

America has got a move on at last. We have been expecting it. There has also been a great move-on in -Stratford, and wise people have been sharing in the move-on, which operates at C. E. James' jewellery warehouse. Easter gifts have had a big run, but the shelves still hold many useful gifts acceptable for Easter. See -the fine range of crockery we are clearing.