STRATFORD.

Taranaki Daily News, 15 September 1920, Page 6

STRATFORD.

TARANAKI DAILY NEWS. STRATFORD AGENCY. Advertisements and items of news for publication should be left at the office of th« local representative, W. J. Wilson, next Union Bank. HOSPITAL BOARD. September 14. The Stratford Hospital Board met this morning. Present: Messrs C. D. Sole (chairman), R. H. Cameron, R. -MeK. Morison, C. R. Finnertv, J. O'Neill, and E. Walter. The medical superintendent (Dr. Steven) reported that during- August 21 patients were admitted, 23 were discharged, and there were two deaths. TwentY-tlueejpatients remained in hospital on August 31." Nine operations had been performed under anaesthetia. There were twelve soldiers and one civilian out-patient attendances. There were four cases of scarlet fever in the isolation ward.—Received. The reports of the matron (Miss B. 6. Beedle) and the gardener, were received. On the recommendation of the Whangamomona Medical Association it was decided to increase the salary of the district nurse at Whangamomona to' -C250 per annum.

The resolution of the Waitaki Hospital Board, asking that all sanitary inspection work should be carried out by officers of the Public Health Department, and not by local bodies, was endorsed.

With reference to the treatment of military patients in civil hospitals, a communication was received from the Inspectot-General cf Hospitals, stating that the Director-General of Medical. Services -desired to emphasise the following" points: Disabilities of returned soldiers are only admitted as a (liability of the Defence Department for treatment when the disability is due to or aggravated by war cervice; no liability for treatment will be accepted by the Defence Department unless the approval of the A.D.M.S. of the district has been previously obtained for such treatment. The Inspector-GeDeral of Hospitals wrote stating that the plans of the district nurse's residences at Wiiangamomon;!. which had recently been purchased by the Board, were considered satisfactory, in that necessary alterations could eventually be carried out without difficulty.—Received. The Department of Public Health wrote sujrposling that the Board should endeavor to arrange to give nurses one clear day off in seven and a minimum annual holiday of 21 days. The chairman said that the principle of the request was quite right, but in regard to small hospitals it was a difficult matter to arrange for the staff to have definite holidays. He suggested that the medical superintendent and the matron should be asked to report on the matter. Mr. Caneron moved a resolution to this effect, which was carried. BOROUGH COUNCIL MEETING. At last night's meeting of the Jorough Council the resignation of Mr. E. Taylor, the newly-appointed engineer, was accepted, and the Works Committee was instructed to report as to what steps should he taken to fill the position. The town clerk reported that Dr. Monk, the District Health Officer, had asked him how much the council would be able to pay per annum if the Department carried out the inspection of plumbing in the borough, and, with the authority of the Mayor, he had replied that the council could contribute a sum of £ls. The action was endorsed. The town clerk reported that the total amount received in fines and fees by the council last year for breaches of the by-laws amounted to only £IB. The Mayor remarked that now the new bylaws were in operation the amount would probably be considerably increased this year. GENERAL. The chairman stated at to-day's meeting of the Stratford Hospital Board that the number of patients admitted to the hospital from April to August, 11)19, was 117, and for the 6ame period this year the number was 157, an increase of 40. "I feel I can say, without fear of contradiction, that there is no public institution or hospital in New Zealand which is worked with greater care in regard to its internal management than the Stratford hospital," declared the | chairman (Mr. C. D. Sole) at to-day's meeting of the Stratford Hospital Board. As an instance of economy, Mr. Sole stated that the meat bill for last month, for an average of 40 persons, amounted to only £l2 18s Id, and everyone was well fed. Waste had been practically eliminated from the hospital, without interfering with the comfort of patients in any way.' The weekly gathering of the Stratford Boy 8! and Girls' Mutual Improvement Association was held in the Parish Hall last evening. The Rev. C. W. Howard occupied the chair, and there was a good muster of young people, An instructive lecture on "The Power qf Electricity," was given by Mr. W. J. Newton, and was thoroughly enjoyed. Mr. W. A. Curteis gave a short address on "The Value of Money." Items were contributed by Ivy Fowler, Gladys Kelly, Rosie Oyston, Jean Oyston and Phillipa Howard. Mr. C. T. Read, stationmaster at Stratford, who has been transferred to Christchureh on account of the ill-health of his wife, will leave for the south on Thursday morning. He will be succeeded at Stratford by Mr. F. S. Vcaße, at present chief clerk at Hastings. Mr. A. T. Richmond has received from Military Headquarters, Wellington, two emblems, being representations of oak leaves which are to be worn on the riband of the Victory Medal, for the purpose of denoting that he was mentioned in despatches whilst on active service. Ladies! Call and inspect the splendid display of new leather bags at H. J. Hopkins, Stratford. You may want a new bag yourself, or you may intend making a friend a present. All the newest styles are in stock and the prices are right. Do not fail to make an parly call. H. J. Hopkins, bookseller, stationer and fancy goods dealer, Stratford. Farmers! Before the busy season begins, bring the family in to be photographed. A family group is always of value and interest. Take the present opportunity. We have special equipment at McAllister's studio, Stratford.