STRATFORD.

Taranaki Daily News, 14 May 1919, Page 3

STRATFORD.

(From Our Own Correspondent./ (All communications, letters, etc, left with He H. J. Hopltias, bookseller, will receive prompt attention.) HOSPITAL AND CHARITABLE AID BOARD. i ' May 13. * The monthly meeting of the Stratford Hospital and Charitable Aid Board was held yesterdav. Those present were: Messrs C. D. Sole, F. J, Mackay, R. McK. Morison, 0. R, Finnerty, E. W. Hancock, anil It. H. Cameron.

The town members, with Mr Cameron's name added, were appointed a committee to draft regulations governing the work of the Social Welfare Committee.,

The Department of Public Health wrote stating that it was granting certificates for those who had rendered valuable aid during the epidemic—Received. In a further letter the Department asked fgr a statement of expenditure incurred in giving relief to influenza widows and widowers. On receipt of x. schedule of payments made by the board a reimbursing voucher would be passed. —Received.

The New Plymouth Hospital and Charitable Aid Board wrote suggesting that the date of the proposed conference be deferred until early in June. The Stratford Board was asiked for any remits as early as possible, —The question of drawing up remits was referred to a committee of the town members. The Whangamomona Medical Association wrote asking the board to again apply for a trained nurse for the district at a salary of £2OO per annum.—The chairman said they were in communication with the Department on tie matter | and were awaiting a Teply. [ A return showed the following statistics for the institution for the year tended March 31 last: Number pf beds available for patients 25, average stay for in-patients 19 days, average number iof occupied beds per day 18.36; total paffents under treatment 352, cost of weekly maintenance for adults 49®, for children under 12 38s 6d, number of outpatients treated 01. The medical superintendent, Dr. Steven, reported that during April 22 patients were admitted, 19 discharged, and there [ was 1 death. There were 61 soldier outpatient attendances. The isolation ward was closed on April 5, but re-opened on April 10—one case of diphtheria. During the absence of the matron on holiday her duties had been ably carried out Sister Marsh. He desired holiday leave during Hie present month, and, with the board's approval, Dr. T. N. Watt, who was recommended by Dr. "Valmtine, would act as his locum tenens. —The report was adopted and the doctor's suggestion agreed to. The Health Inspector (Mr. A, Gray) reported that during the month one case of diphtheria hod been admitted to liosnital, nnd tw> mild and one pneumonic cases of influenza had been notified. The'"election of a permanent chairman wai deferred for a full meeting, and Mr. Sole was appointed temporary chairman.

THE PUBLTO HOSPITAL At a meeting of the gtratford Hospital Board yesterday, Mr. C. R. Yinnerty referred to the delay, for which the Department was responsible, in having additions made to the public hospital. A considerable time ago the Minister for Putlic Health, Hon. G. W. Russell, when on a visit to Stratford emphasised very strongly the necessity for the hoard enlarging" the present hospital, and undertook, as Minister in charge of the Public Trust Office, to assist them in procuring a loan. The board has since had plans for additions prepared, and these have been submitted to the Department for approval. Exception has been taken by the departmental otiicers to these plans in some particulars, and until the required alterations have been made the board is unable to proceed further. Meanwhile the capacity of the hospital is only sufficient for normal times, and a recrudescence of the influenza epidemic or any additional tax upon the hospital would place the authorities in an awkward position. So urgent is the need for action thct Mr. Finnerty suggested that failing a satisfactory communication from the Department two members of the board should proceed to Wellington to make representations to the Minister

After a short discussion it was decided to telegraph to the Minister requesting that an officer be sent up immediately tn udvine the board as to what was required to bring the planß into line with the wishes of the Department.

BOROUGH COUNCIL. At a special meeting of the Borough Council on Monday evening, Mr. 0. Jackson was appointed deputy-mayor, and the following committees were elected: Finance, the Mayor and Cr, Thompson: works, Crs. Cameron (chairman), Jackson, Lawson, and Newton; electric lijrht, Crs. Hunter (chairman), Thompson. Young, and Stewart; general, Crs. Walsh (chairman), Stewart, Lawson, Newton, and Jackson; reserves, Crs. Hunter (chairman), Young, and Walsh. A request for a refund of rent for the usefof the Town Hall was made by the Fire Brigade, and it was decided to meet the case by granting the brigade a donation*. Mr. T. J. Sheehan applied for a lease of the shop occupied by the borough electrical department.-—The council regretted that it" could'not entertain the request, It was resolved that the council meet once a month as a general purposes committee.

GENERAL. The Taranaki branch of the New Zealand Society of Civil Engineers held a meeting at Stratford yesterday, Representativefc were present from New Plymouth, Hawera, Patea, Stratford, Eltham ar.d Waitara. A paper was contributed by Mr C. H. Lawn on "Light Suspension Bridgeß," and one by Mr. Sturrock on "The Mow of Water through Pipes." During the afternoon visits were paid to local works.

■ At the Bird Road school on Monday evening Mr. and Mrs. Phillips and family were entertained at a social by the residents of the district, Mr. and Mrs. Phillips have been residents of Taranaki for over 30 years, and have resided at Bird Road for about 20 years. The guests were presented, on behalf of the residents, with a handsome silver tea kettle, spirit lamp, and oak tray, each of the gifts beiag suitably inscribed. Addresses appreciative of the good qualities of Mr. and Mrs. Phillips, who are about to take up their residence at Stratford, were delivered by Messrs J. Crowe, Hill, FaldeV, and Meuli. Songs and other items were given by Messrs A, D. Hill, P. Aitken, Meuli senr., Miss Phillips, 0, Orr, W. Gulliver, Sanne, and C. and N. Meuli. Qance music was supplied by Messrs C. H. Fox (piano), Lichtwark (violin), and A. Lister (cornet). Mr. Phillips, in a happy speech, acknowledged the kindness that had been shown him anfl his family, and warmly thanked his friends fee tiUir «DK*. -