S.C. HOSPITAL AND CHARITABLE AID BOARD.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2048, 20 May 1890, Page 3

S.C. HOSPITAL AND CHARITABLE AID BOARD.

The monthly meeting of the South Canterbury Hospital and Charitable Aid Board was held oa Friday. Present—Messrs J. Jackson (chairman), Moore, McLaren, Sinclair, Quinn, Barker, D. M. Ross, and Dr Hogg. Among the outward correspondence was a letter claiming £46 2s 3d from T. Bgan, of Teumfca, for medical attendance, etc., on his wife, and if some arrangement had not been made for the reduction of the debt by a certain date proceedings would be taken for its recovery.—The reply was that the debtor had become insolvent.

A donation of £27 was received, being a dividend on a trust gift of £SOOO by Mr G. G. Russell.—lt was resolved, on the motion of Mr McLaren, seconded by Dr Hogg: "That this board most heartily thank Mr Georgo Gray Eussell for his thoughtfulness in including this hospital when making his handsome endowment of £SOOO for hospital purposes." S£ Several cases of persons in indigent circumstances were dealt with.

It -was decided to get a Bill passed to vest the immigration barracks in the board; also, to accept Mrs Sabisbon's offer of carrying on the barracks at £26 per year instead of £SO, children 6s each per week instead of 7s 6d, and 5s per week for confinements as at present.—lt was agreed that the offer be accepted, and an agreement fcigned, Messrs Smithson and Raymond wrote demanding payment of £SOO as compensation for injuries arising from the negligent treatment of the child of T. Grace, laborer, of Pleasant Point, in February last; or, failing recognition of the claim, the name of the solicitor to accept service of a writ on behalf of the board, The circumstances were : The child (seven months old) was broaght in suffering from bronchitis, the mother refused to look,after him and he was placed in charge of a nurse, who allowed a few drops of hot water to fall from a bronchitis kettle on his head and blister it; the child was cured of bronchitis, —It was decided not to entertain the claim. A return was laid on the table showing the districts from which hospital patients had been received during 1889-90—Levels, 52; Geraldine, 23; Mackenzie, 21; Waimate,26; Timaru Borough, 91; casuals, 24; total, 237. The question of draining and ventilating the hospital was then brought up, and Mr Marchant was present to explain his report.

The chairman mentioned that there was a letter from Mr Duval jast come in; he did not know what it contained.

Mr McLaren said Mr Duval met him in the street and said he would undertake to remedy the defects complained of :i,for £SO. This was much lesß than Mr Marchant's estimate, so, in the interests ©f ratepayers he told Mr Duval he had better send a letter in. After Mr Marchant had read his report, and some questions were asked and answered thereon, the question as to the advisability of admitting Mr Duval's report was raised by Mr Moore, and on a show of hands being taken it was decided not to xead it.

Mr Boss very warmly protested against the unfairness of not reading Mr Duval's report, and, with his usual uprightness and good sense, Mr Barker moved—" That it be open to all the architects to put in reports." Mr Quinn said Mr Duval had not been asked for his report, and moved —" That tenders be invited far the ventilation and drainage of the hospital in accordance with the report of Mr Marchant."

This was carried, Messrs Boss and Barker voting against it.

Then it was discovered that Messrs Duval and "West had sent in reports some time ago, and.Mr Boss said these reports had never seen the light. Messrs Meason and Marchant then felt aggrieved because they were not asked to ' report, and then they were given power to report.

Mr Boss said that the committee held a meeting and after consulting with Messrs Duval and "West, he as chairman, sent Mr Hall-Jones to do what was necessary, hut through some influence he was not allowed to do it.

Dr Lawson said that Mr Hall-Jones asked him for instructions and he had none to give him. He then went away:

Mr Ross: It was agreed what should be done, but you would not allow it to be done, because it was not Mr Marchant's plan, After some further argument Mr Boss moved a resolution to the effect " That no tenders be called for until other architects have reported on the subject," but he and Mr Barker alone voted for it and it was lost.

It was decided to call for tenders according to Messrs Meason and Marchant's plan. Accounts to the amount of £172 14s 2d were passed for payment and the meeting adjourned.