STRATFORD.

Taranaki Daily News, 9 July 1919, Page 3

STRATFORD.

{Prom Our Own Correspondent.)

(All communication!, letters, etc,, left with Mr B. 3. Hopkins, bookseller, trill receive prompt sttention.)

HOSPITAL BOARIX.

[ The monthly meeting of the Stratford i Hospital and Charitable Aid Board was held yesterday. Present: Messrs O JJ. Sole (chairman), C. E. Finnerty, J. | O'Neill, E. W. Hancock, F. J. McKay, and K. McK. Morison. The Department wrote, in reply to a letter from the board asking for assistance for a district nurse for Whangamomona, stating that section 10 of the Amendment Act, 1913, was passed for the very purpose ot giving hospital boards power to deal with such cases as that of the Whangamomona Medical Association, and enabled the board to grant the necessary assistance to that body. It was purely a function of the board to give the necessary financial assistance in connection with the care of the aick within the confines of its district, and it was not a Matter for the Department. The Department contributed to the board's funds by way of subsidy. Therefore, any money granted by the board to the association was thus partly contributed by the Government- In regard to the contention that it was not right that the ratepayers of the whole district should have to bear the expenses of a district nurse for such an argument was fundamentally unsound. The ratepayers of VVhangamomona district had in their turn to contribute towards the cost of the Stratford Hospital, which was certainly more convenient for Stratford people jthan those of Whangamomona, and therefore the Stratford residents should contribute towards a similar provision for the care of the aiclc at Whangamomona. The board must remember that it was their duty to provide equally for the sick all over the district, and not confine itself to the larger centres of population. The chairman said the Department had previously given a subsidy, and was now making grants in various districts towards the salaries of doctors and nurses, tie considered that there were special circumstances in the case of Wliangamomona which warranted similar assistance.

It was decided, on the motion of the •hairman, that the secretary again write to the Department pointing out the conditions.

The chairman Replied that the plans for the proposed additions to tlie hospital would be placed before the next meeting of the board. The' Minister of Health wrote stating that the contents of the board's letter asking that a conference of hospital boards be called had been noted ana would receive attention.

Dr. Volentine wrote stating that he had asked the Government Radiologist (Dr. Lf-atham) to visit Stratford and advise the board in connection with th° installation of an x-vay plant,—Received. The Hawera Board ivrote forwarding debit note for the Stratford Board'f proportion of health inspector's salary and expenses for the year ending March 31.—1t was resolved that payment be made m quarterly instalments of £ls each.

The medical superintendent reported that during June 31 patients had been admitted, 25 discharged, there were three deaths, and 17 remained in the hospital at the end of the month. Eleven operations had been performed under anaesthetics. There were 50 out soldier patient attendances. Two cases of diphtheria were in isolation.—Adopted. The matron reported that, with the approval of the medical superintendent, she bad engaged Miss Irene Jones. Miss Freda Johnson, after finishing her second month's probation, had decided not to go on.—Miss Johnson's resignation was received, and the report was adopted. The gardener reported, among other things, that the gardens had been damaged bv wandering stock.—lnstructions were given for the gardener to prosecute and claim damageß. The health inspector reported for the month ending July 5 three cases of diphtheria had been received into the hospital from the Stratford Borough- Two cases of diphtheria and one of scarlet fever had been notified in Stratford County. Samples of bread and butter had been analysed and the results reported to the district health officer.— Adopted. Accounts totalling £3OO were parsed for payment.

GENERAL. Dr. Doris Gordon trill give her next lecture to women in St. Andrew's Hall on Thursday, commencing at 3 o'clock. The intention was to viae the Borough Council Chambers, but owing to the large number present at the first lecture it was deeme'd necessary to take a larger building. Thp lectures are being given under the auspices of the W.X.R. On Mondoy evening the members of the Egmo/t Club met to say farewell to Mr. A D. Stanley. The president (Mr. N. J. King) said that Mr. Stanley had been a useful member of the club. He had been associated in many ways with the social and civic welfare of the town. He had been a member of the Borough Council and had been associated with St. Mary's school and Holy Trinity Church, fie had always been ready to identify himself with any movement which had for its object the welfare of the town. Mr. Stanley wsj then presented by Mr. King, on behalf of the club members, with a tobacco pouch. In a happy speech Mr. Stanley returned thanks.

POSTED DIRECT FOR 2s 6d. One Good Luck Writing Pad, One Packet Envelopes, One Penholder and Nib, One H.B. Lead Pencil. Send postal note or stamps.—Charles E. James, Box 21, Stratford.—Advt.