STRATFORD.

Taranaki Daily News, 15 August 1918, Page 8

STRATFORD.

(From Our Own Correspondent.)

tAll communications, letters, etc., loft with Mr H. J. Hopkins, bookseller, will receive proniDl itientlon.J

.PATRIOTIC COMMITTEE.

Stratford, August 1.1.

The annual meeting of the Patriotic Committee is to he held on Saturday. The report shows that (luring the year 36 meetings have been held, 'file gift auction sale resulted in nearly £3OOO being secured. Ngaerc Dairy Company donated £l5O, Lowgarth £SO, and the Stratford Company's concert secured £9O 16s. Other amounts) secured -.vere: Electric light concert £SO, Stratford Pie--1 hires (opening night) £O7 14s (id, Scottish Society £230. The society had contributed £l2O to the battalion funds. Thanks were tendered to the .Borough Council for the use of the Municipal Chambers,

HOSPITAL BOARD. Members of the board met on Tuesday. Present: Messrs J. M'Allister (chairman), E. W. Hancock, C. D. isole, R. M'K. Morison, J. O'Neill, E. Walter, and C. Finnerty.

Colonel Valintine notified that the Minister of Defence had approved the issue of hospital blue clothing to all soldier in-patients under treatmentReceived.

E Killick (Public Health Department) suggested that boards should adopt a uniform charge of 6s per day«:or all patients. It was desired to be understood that it was a legal and moral obligation for persons, or relatives, to pay the full hospital fees. A revision of the tariff to friendly societies was also desirable, and, if societies agreeu io pay, a reduction of one-half be made, providing the maintenance was £2 2s, and this would make the charge to societies at 3s per day.—Received.

Messrs M'Allister, Walter, Sole, and the secretary were appointed a committee to consider arranging a loan for hospital additions and report to special meeting.

Dr. Steven, medical superintendent, reported that 33 patients were 1 admitted during July, 23 were discharged, and one death recorded, 24 remaining at the end of the month. On July SI there were three cases of scarlet fever raid six of diphtheria, but on August 12 the patients were: One scarlet fever a.id two diphtheria. Seventeen soldier outpatients received attendances during the month. " „

Mr. Walter moved tlrat. the charges be increased from Cs to 7s per day.° j.«ie board should be lenient with those who could not pay by making others pav more nearly the actual cost of treatment. They could reduce the charge if paid within a month, and thus bring it into line with that suggested by "the Minister.

Mr. Sole seconded pro forma. He did not think they should raise the amount over ;C2 2s. Taranaki, Hawera, and Stratford Boards had agrveu to « fixed scale, and he did not think they should make a change. Tt was the board's duty to make the charges as light as possible. He thoueht there was more than a possibility'that the State would control in the future Mr. M-'Allister supported Mr. Soles remarks. He would welcome the time when hospitals would be free institutions. In the meantime they must do all jios.sible. However, he did not think that where circumstances permitted the board should charge nearly the cost, and lie did not think lis covered it. Mr. Hancock thought that so long as the board could get along on the lees charged, well and good. He was not in favor of any "grab-all policy." In reply, Mr. Walter combattcd the statements of Messrs Sole and Hancock. He did not think anyone could accuse the board of charging too much. Under the new scale they could be lenient. On going to the vote, the motion was carried, and will he brought into effect |on October IS.

To lie a successful business man, one must have what the public wants and at a price that will satisfy the lnmcer. The success of C. E. James' jewellery warehouse lies in tho good value he offers. Purchasers know from experience that poods secured here are all of the highest grade in value and at prices that defy competition. At the present, moment there are 1000 and 1 articles offering in .gold, silver, and orockerovare that art) selling at pre-war prices.—Advt.