TARANAKI HOSPITAL BOARD.

Taranaki Daily News, 16 December 1920, Page 2

TARANAKI HOSPITAL BOARD.

MONTHLY MEETING. The Tarauaki Hospital Board met yesterday. Present: Messrs. F. .1. Hill (actl'igchairman). .1. Andrews, 11 Gihnour, S. Vickers, (1. Young, A. Capper, and J. Young. An apology for absence was received from the chairman (Mr. M. I'raser), and Mr. A. H llitlcomlie. REPORTS. The medlidal superintendent (DA A. E. Walker) reported that during November 90 patients wero admitted, 85 discharged, and 4 died. There were 89 remaining in hospital at the end of the month. The daily average was 113.8, and the highest number of patients for one day was 101. With an increased daily average November was a busy month, particularly in the medical wards. The isolation block remained open with cases of measles, scarlet, fever, and diphtheria under treatment. All coßes were mild. The hospital and State examinations had been held, four candidates from New Plymouth, one from Hawera, and one from Patea presenting themselves, The matron of the Rangiatea Homo (Mrs. Bayly) reported that there had been two admissions during tl:e month, one discharge, and 2 deaths, the number remaining being 87. The Inspector (Mr. A. H. Kendall) reported: Ten cases of Infectious diseases were notified during the month, being one case of scarlet fever, four of diphtheria, four of pneumonia, and one of cerobro spinal meningitis. The location of tho cases was as follows:—Three cases of diphtheria—'at Puniho, Spotswood and OUato—and one case of pneumonia at Egmont Road, in the Taranaki County; one case of diphtheria and three cases of pneumonia in New Plymoutt; one case of scarlet fever at Waltara, and one case of meningitis In. Egmont County.' District Nurse Fenn, of Uruti, reported that only two cases called at the cottage during the month for surgical dressing. The members of Hie Nursing Association gave two days to work at the cottage. District Nurse McFadzen, Opunake, reported that there were five European patients and four Maoris. The "district had been fairly clear of-sickness during the last month. The farm manager (Mr. W. C. Noble) reported that for tie month ended. November 30 the dairy herd of 19 cows had returned 17,308 lbs. of milk with a test of 4,9, 5.9, and 4.9. Tills, he said, could be looked on as a record return, flood headway was being made with crops and ensilage making. There was some sickness among the cows, and there had been trying weather as far as seeding was concerned.' THE NURSES' HOME. A progress report was received from the architects, Messrs. Messenger, Griffiths and Taylor, in connection with work at the nurses' home. They stated that an, average of eleven men had Deen employed on the works. This showed a considerable decrease, caused by the withdrawal of the plasterers and plumbers. More skilled carpenters wero required, audi there was ample room for plumbers to be on the works continuously. Tho contractors had promised to Increaso the staff, and unless this was done there was little l'ope of an early completion of the contract. OPUNAKE COTTAGE HOSPITAL. The Inspector-General of Hospitals (Dr. T. H. A. Valentine) wrote enquiring if any ac tion had been taken by the board <for the erection of the maternity cottage hospital at Opunake. The secretary reported having replied that tenders wero advertised for tho work, but the time for closing had to he extended. The board now had two tenders before It, one for £4860 and one for £OI7O. As the lowest figure was far more than ten per cent, above the estimate (which was the limit allowed by the Minister, the board hart not the power to areept any of the tenders. 11l reply to the chairman, the secretary said that the original, estimate of the cost was £2BOO.

The secretary suggested that the matter be placed before (he Department, asking that they give the hoard a lead. They could not accept a tender at tho price. Mr. Young remarked that the Opunake people had been promised tho hospital, and it seemed unfair if the board was not able to carry on. •

Other members commented on the big difference between the original estimate and the tenders received, and the meeting Dually decided to refer the matter to the Department. STEAM HEA'TING PLANT. .

The secretary reported that the Minister of Public Health had authorised the expenditure of £BOOO for the erection of a boiler house and installation of a boiler for the generation of steam for heating and cooking purposes. The Finance Committee was authorised to go into the matter of procuring the plant, with power" to net.

GENERAL. The following naimes were added to the probationers' list:—Misses Dorothy Dickinson (Westown), E. O. Merriman (New Plymouth), and J, Grant (Wellington). The secretary reported that t/o Hospital Saturday conducted by the nu/ies had resulted In the collection of £271, and lie understood that an effort was being made to raise the total to £3OO. A notice of motion was tabled by Mr. Gilmour as follows:—(1) That the hoard take steps to erect a maternity hospital; (2) that all employees be given one day's holiday each week, and that the house committee go Into the question of accommodation. The subject will be discussed at. the next meeting of the board.