TARANAKI HOSPITAL BOARD.

Taranaki Daily News, 22 January 1920, Page 2

TARANAKI HOSPITAL BOARD.

MONTHLY MEETING. The monthly meeting of the Taranakl Hospital and Charitable Aid Board was held yesterday, there being present Messrs. M. FraBor (chairman), J. Andrews, P. J. Hill, E. Gllniour, J. Young, G. Capper, G. Young, C. Andrews and S. Campbell. An apology for absence was received from Mr. A. H. Halcombe. SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT. The medical superintendent (Dr. E. A. Walker) reported a quiet month on the whole, although the surgical side was well occupied. There had been a decrease in the diph» thevia cases, and no further cases of scarlatina. Nurses Berry, Parley, Hall, Rolston and Slddins hare passed their examinations, and Nurses Collins, Fairbrother, Smith and Merrin, passed the hospital examinations in anatomy und physiology. The number of admissions for the month was 80, discharged 98, died four, remaining in hospital 73, highest number for one day 100, dally average 84 3, number of operations 50. The number of operations for 1919 was 572, and there were 558 recoveries and fourteen deaths. MATRON'S REPORT. The Matron (Miss B. A. Campbell) reported on the position of the nursing staff, Including the resignations of Sister Langiands and Nurse Leedh. She also acknowledged with thanks Christmas gifts from Mesdames. Burgess and May, Miss Hunt, the Eed Cross Society, Messrs. Ambury Bros., Burrows, Carter, Somerton and Street. The resignations of the two nurses referred to, which were read with the Board's correspondence, were accepted with regret. TSE STEWARD'S REPORT. Tho dispenser and house steward (Mr. C. V B. Perrin) reported the resignations of two warders and urged that the time was opportune for reorganising the whole male staff, with a view to having them placed on a latisfactory basis; Better accommodation was needed, as good men could not be expected to put up with the present conditions. Christmas gifts were acknowledged from Messrs Paul, Steffenson, Wong Moto, and the City Meat Stores. The resignations of the warders were dealt with In tho correspondence, and accepted with regret. RANGIATEA HOME.

The Matron of the Home (Mrs. A Bayly) reported a satisfactory month. There had been three admissions and two departures and there remained In the Institution 43 inmates (females 7, males 36). Mr C. Andrews referred to the management of the garden and the supply of vegetables available for the inmates, suggesting that the jarflen should be placed under the control of the warder. The cheinman said the matter could be gone Into when tho members visited the Institution in the afternoon. HEALTH INSPECTOR'S REPORT. The Health Inspector (Mr. A. H. Kendall) reported seventeen cases of infectious diseases during the month, as follows: Tarauaki County, one case of diphtheria, one of measles, ons of pneumonia, and one of septicaemia; Now Plymouth, seven cases of diphtheria and one of septicaemia; Waltara, one caso of scarlet lever, and one of influenza; Egmnnt County one case of influenza, one of pneumonia, and ons of diphtheria. The cases showed a general decrease, with the exception of those of diphthoria, which, for some unaccountable reason snowed a slight Increase. With the exception of one family tho majority of cases notified bear no traceable connection with each other. FARM REPORTS. The' farm manager (Mr. TV. C. Noble) re- ?? r , l f!L the mllk P rolJuct l°n for the month was 1i,1651b5., under very trying conditions. There had been sent 7111ns. of potatoes and a large quantity of vegetables and eggs to the board's institutions. The chairman of the farm committee (Mr 3 Andrews) reported having visited the farm and found preparations for winter feed well in hand. One matter which needed particular attention was the metalling of the roadway and yard before the approaching winter. NEW NURSES' HOME. Tho architects (Messrs. Messenger and Griffiths) reported On the progress of the building ot the new nurses - home. Special attention wns drawn to the shortage of cement, and a suggestion was made that the Prime Minister sliould be communicated with, stressing the importance ot immediate action on the part of the Government, as the present position threatened to hold up building operations at the most favorable time of the vear for pushing work forward. The labor difficulty was also causing some delay in the work, and, although the contractors had been communicated with on the matter, they had stated that, If cement supplies were not forthcoming, thev would be compelled to put men off instead of engaging others, as they hod Intended.

The Board decided to telegraph the Prime Minister urging the importance of the work and that an effort be made to have such public works given preference in the matter of cement supplies. It was also decided to write to the contractors urging the importance of the early completion of the work.

OPUNAKE HOSPITAL. A letter was received from Mr. M. O'Brien, Opunake, stating that the Egmont County Council had voted £2OO as a subsidy on public subscriptions now being raised for the O, make Hospital, and he also stated that the £4OO required by the Board was now assured. —lt was decided to thank Mr. O'Brien for hbi letter and assurance. Mr. S. Campbell stated at a later stage of the meeting that the money was practically in hand, and that the Board would be safe in going ahead with the scheme. GENERAL.

On the recommendation of the Medical Superintendent Nurses Paget and Mllroy were appointed ward sisters vice Sisters Patchell and Langiands. Dr. Walker was granted four weeks' leave of absence from his duties as medical superintendent, during which timo Dr. Fookes will carry out the duties. The chairman and secretary (Messrs. M. Fnser and E Holdcn) were appointed the Board's delegates to the Conference of Hospital Boards, to be held In Wellington on March 23. • Miss Annie M. Rea, New Plymouth, was placed on the list of the probationer nurses at the Hospital. Accounts were passed for payment as follows: Payments £I2BB lis, accounts £lO6l 5s 2d.