S.C. CHARITABLE AID BOARD.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1852, 12 February 1889, Page 4

S.C. CHARITABLE AID BOARD.

A meeting of this Board was held on Thursday. Present—Messrs D. M. Ross (chairman), Jackson, Moore, Barker, McLaren, and Sbe. Mr McLaren called attention to the fact that a patient, suffering from syphilis, had just left the hospital owing £ll6 for maintenance. In another case a patient, also suffering from the disease named, had left indebted £75. He objected altogether in giving aid to persons who were either indolent or vicious. Messrs Barker and Jackson agreed with Mr McLaren, and the former moved—- “ That all cases arising from immoral conduct be treated in separate wards in the hospital, and that such patients be required to pay one month’s maintenance in advance on admission.” After a short discussion, the motion was allowed to lapse, A former hospital patient wrote offering to pay £1 per month in liquidation of hia debt for attendance, and this was accepted. Three names were added to the summons list, including that of the person who owes £ll6. The leader of Mr W. Gunn was accepted for a supply of medicines, etc,, to tho hospital for eighteen months, It was stated that many applications had been already received for tho position of resident surgeon, but the appointment will not be made till next meeting. A quarterly account was received from the master of the Burnham Industrial School, claiming £147 as the cost of maintaining for three months 28 children committed from this district.—Members spoke strongly on the matter, and it was suggested that the children should bo sent to the Waimate Hospital building. Ultimately the further consideration of the matter was postponed. The collector, Mr S. Davies,"wrote stating that the parents of a child who had been attended to in the hospital refused to pay the costs incurred, as the father was a member of a friendly society, and the child was sent to the hospital by the medical officer of that society. Mr Davies pointed out that when a medical officer of a friendly society relegates a difficult case to the hospital, tho patient merely receives what he has already paid the society for providing him with, but the medical officer avoids rendering service which he is paid for rendering, and the druggist escapes the necessity of supplying medicines paid for. Clemly the gainers by the transaction were the medical officer and the druggist.—The chairman said one among those to be sued was a member of a lodge, and he understood the societies would make it a teat case.—A discussion ensued upon tho latter, but no conclusion was arrived at. The report on the receipients of charitable aid in the sub-district of Waimate was received. The cases were all considered, and separately ordered upon. Several, such as where the party had freehold property, or sons and daughters over 21 years of age, were ordered to be struck off tho list. The reports from Geraldine, Temuka, and other places will be dealt with at next meeting. Accounts were passed for paj merit, for charitable aid {£462 13a 3d, and for the hospital £192 10s.