HOSPITAL BOARD.

Taranaki Daily News, 22 May 1919, Page 6

HOSPITAL BOARD.

MONTHLY" ME&EWQ. The-monthly meeting of the Taranaki! Hospital and Charitable Aid Board was heiu yesterday, tkere being preesnt Messrs. M. leaser, F. J. Hill, JbJ. Gilmour, C. Andrews, A. H. Halcombe, CI. Capper, G. Young J. Young and J. Andrews. An apology for absence was received from 'Mr. H. Campbell. ELECTION OF CHAIRMAN. Some discussion took place on the question of the position of vhe chairman. Mr. Fraser intimated that he desired the board to feel free to elect its chairman, ■ho being of opinion that he vacated the position when ..is term on the board expiredThe secretary said that according to the Act the chairman was elected for two years and as Mr. Fraser had been appointed last y«ar (the date fixed by the Act) he remained chairman for the two years, provided he was re-elected to the board. Mr. Gilmour dissented from the secretary's view, and pointed out that the Wellington Board had elected a different chairman, notwithstanding the old chairman had been re-elected to the board. Be moved that Mr. Fraser be eleefcd chairman. Mr. G Young seconded the motion which was carried unanimously. Mr. Fraser thanked the Board for its expression of confidence in him, and then welcomed the new members, Messrs. E. Gilmour (New Plymouth), and G. Young (Inglewood), to the Board. Both members suitably replied.

ACTING SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT. The acting medical superintendent (Dr. E. F. Fookes) reported the number of patients admitted 85, discharged 81, died 5, remaining in hospital 98; highest number for one day 102, daily average 93.9, number of operations 56. The hospital continues fully occupied, tho daily average of patients being a little above last month's figures. Two nurses had been called away during the month on account of sickness in their families, thus reducing an already fully taxed staff. The military work has been very heavy, and in this Dr. Fookes acknowledged the valuable assistance rendered by Dr. Wade in attending to the out-patients. A medical board pat on the 17th in.st., when between SO and 00 soldiers were examined bv Captains Reid and Wade, of the N.ZiIC.

THE MATRON'S REPORT. The matron (Miss B. A. Campbell) reported that Nurse Cartwright went on holiday leave on April 25, and Nurse Milroy had been granted a month's leave and Nurse Peers 12 days' on account of family sickness. Sister Kennedy and Nurse Cartwright both (returned to duty after holidays. Nurse Leila Langley left on the 14th inst. Misses M, Winfield and A. Taylor commenced training as probation nurses.

HOUSE STEWARD'S REPORT. The house steward and dispenser (Mr. C. F. B. Perrin) reported on the various matters relating to the hospital affairs that had occupied Ms attention during the month. RANGIATEA HOME. The matron (Mrs, A. Bayly) reported a satisfactory month There had been one admission, one discharge and one ■•-n; j, and the..• v t '.f jn the home 43 inmates inine males and 34 females).

HEALTH INSPECTOR'S REPORT. The health inspector (Mr. A. H. Kendall) reported notification of fourteen cases of infectious diseases, being seven of diphtheria, one of enteric fever, one of tuberculosis, one of hydatids, and four of influenza. AH the cases of influenza proper were without complications and were of a mild type. The infectious cases came from Taranaki County (3), New Plymouth (5), Waitara (1), Inglevgpod (1), Egmont County (2), and Clifton County (2).

FARM REPORTS. The cnairman of the farm committee (Mr. J. Andrews) reported having visited the farms and found everything in satisfactory order. A suggestion was made that the Board's cottage removed to the farm should be made available for the manager's assistant, who had recently returned from the war. The farm manager (Mr. W. C. Noble) reported a production of 13,2051bs of milk for the month. A large quantity of dairy produce and vegetables was supplied to the institutions, and three fat pigs were also disposed of.

COiffiESPONDENOE. Replies were received from Inglewood, Bell Block, and Pukearuhe districts in connection with the Board's circular in regard to the proposed recreation room for nurses as a war memorial. The Health Department forwarded official consent for the installation of laundry machinery, incinerator, and the building of a boiler room. On the motion of the chairman, it was resolved to call tenders for the erection of the laundry machinery. The Stratford and Hawera Hospital Boards wrote intimating they were favorable to a conference of the three boards to consider the question of the accommodation of old people at the Rangiatea Home. It was proposed to hold the conference at Stratford on June 4 and to hare a special meeting of the Board on June 3 to fully consider the position. Accounts amounting to £llß7 lis 2d, and payments to £969 9s 2d, were passed for payment.