STRATFORD.

Taranaki Daily News, 4 January 1919, Page 3

STRATFORD.

Pfcotu Our Cvm Correspondent:) j

(All communications, letters, etc., left with Mr H. J. Hopkius, bookseller will re?ehj> m-omj-t at'.cijuciii) 'j

■FOOTING THE Bill,

15PIDEMIC CHARGES. f v

■>

,rt.v'--<p Stratford, Jan, 3. A special meeting of the Hospital Board was hold this morning. Present: Messrs 0. McAllister (chairman),' C. D. Sole, E. McK. Morison, E. W. Hancock, J. O'Neill. E. Walter, C. 11. Fiiinorty, and F. J. Mackay.

The chairman stated the business mainly concerned the accounts received ,in connection with the epidemic. These looked fairly heavy, hut they could not say how they compared with other towns. Taking into consideration the nature of the work and the services rendered, the position was not so bad.

Jlr. Solo thought the claims made against the hoard should be handed to the press for publication. A lot of people had teen in tl>e limelight for what was thought voluntary work, and now full charges were heing made. The board was custodian for the funds raised, and everyone in the district had a right to know who made the claims. There was a class of the community who did their utmost for nothing, whilst others appeared to take the opportunity of charging right up to the limit. Mr. Morison. agreed. He thought ho would play a lone-hand in entering a protest against some of these claims. It came as a shock to him to find so many claims coming in. AVhilst the epidemic was raging it heartened one considerably to note the whole-hearted manner in which the public assisted, and now it was found that many of those who stood in the limelight for what was thought voluntary services were putting in full claims.

Mr. Finnerty objected to the publication. of accounts. It was a matter for the board and those claiming payment. llr. Walter said he could see no objection to the accounts rendered being published. The chairman stated that representatives of the press were present and could publish the accounts if desired.

The Department of Health, Wellington, forwarded circular letter regarding expenditure in connection with the epidemic. The Department was prepared to bear the cost of temporary hospitals where the board considered these necessary, but where the Board considered them unwarranted and opened without consulting the board, the latter should not undertake any cxpen-' diture, but Icfer to the Department. Regarding supplies of bedsteads and bedding, all bedding, etc., after being disinfected (and anything stained or soiled destroyed), should be held by the board as emergency supplies in case of epidemics. Patients should pay for their treatment if able to do so. The Government's responsibility wfts for medical treatment, transit to and from hospitals, medical attendance, nursing, medicine, equipment of hospitals, food, and maintenance. Belief in the form of food, etc., was a charge on the board, and must be met by its ordinary funds and voluntary contributions.

The Department will repay through the board any expenditure incurred in direct connection with the epidemic, but such expenditure must not include any which, in the ordinary course, would bo incurred by the local body as part of its sanitary operations. The cost of inhalation apparatus would bo borne by the Department. The chairman stated that about

£17(15 was wanted to pay accounts of Hie epidemic, whilst £313 13s 10d. the present credit balance, was wanted for ordinary expenditure. If the board l>ad to pay out on epidemic account*, tliuv would have to devise- ways and means. The hoard was fortunate in having no overdraft, hut, failing the. promptness of the Government, this appeared the only means. Mr. Sole did not question all the accounts. Far instance, lie knew of some cars that covered 3000 miles, and a claim for tyres was legitimate. The chairman remarked that the Government looked to the Board to safeguard their interests. Mr. Morison stated this was a Governmen liability and not the board's. Me did sot believe they should burden themselves with a huge liability that was not rightly theirs. Mr. Walter: It is very evident we cannot pay out until the Government money arrives.

Mr. Sole: The Government will have heavy claims to meet. The board should get >'n early and make application early. Again, some of the accounts owing to the board were owing by men who could very well pay. The chairman: It should be understood that where a claim for tyres is made it did not mean that all claims were made, as the car must have travelled many miles and no other charge was put in. Mr. Sole agreed. He instanced tho case of another claim where a, car. broke a spring while engaged in hospital work. The board did not cavil, at these amounts.

Mr. Mackay stated tliat at the last meeting a committee liatl been set up to discuss accounts and report. The chairman replied thai the committee had met and gone through accounts, but others kept coming in,, ami, the holidays intervening, -here was no report to place before the meeting. The board had account, which' would have to be replaced. The question was whether they were to wait for the Government or make other arrangements. Mr. Mackay agreed with Mr, Sole on the need for urgency in approaching the Government. He understood that Parliament believed £IOO,OOO would meet the claims, but if Stratford's experience was a fair criterion that amount would be far short of requirements. Mr. Walter then moved in effect that an urgent telegram be forwarded to the Government pointing out the immediate need of making payments in

connetion with the epidemic ft n( l desiring information is to procedure necessary, and, when the reply came, the chairman to have a free hand or consult the town members . concerning what course to adopt—This was seconded by Mr. Mackay and carried. The board then adjourned for lunch, and on resuming discussed, the claims forwarded in detail. 1 GENERAL. ,;r

Vital statistics for Dssemhor record 23 births, 24 deaths, and 2 marriages. At the Hospital' Board meeting today the resignation of Nurse E. Gcdney was accepted with /egret. She proceeds to Palmerston North to tab® up hospital duties there. Mr. S. G. Stanton, lat® postmaster, qM. larewalled on Tuesday. Mr. T.