S.C. HOSPITAL AND CHARITABLE AID BOARD.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2099, 16 September 1890, Page 4

S.C. HOSPITAL AND CHARITABLE AID BOARD.

The monthly meeting of the above board was held at the hospital oh Triday last. Present Messrs J. Jackson (chairman), D. M. Ross, W. M. Moore, M. Quinn, R. A. Barker, and Dr Hogg. An apology was read from Mr McLaren. CORRESPONDENCE. Correspondence was read—

Trom Mrs Tish, Geraldine, naming two persons willing to lake children to board at 5s per week. Trom Mrs Fostlethwaite, respecting an application for an allowance for a poor widow at Geraldine for the keep of an orphan which she had kept from infancy till now (when it is eight or nine years old) without any assistance and thus saved the board from all expense. Six shillings a week had been asked for on her behalf and the board granted 4s. Mrs Postlethwaite pressed for an increase of the allowance to 6s a week.—lt was agreed to give 5s a week, the amount now given for boarding in several cases. Mrs Postlethwaite also named a person desirous of adopting a child of two years.

W. Fitzgerald, late patient here, wrote from Dunedin asking the board to pay for his maintenance in the hospital there as the Dunedin doctors said they could cure him, and he would like to give them a chance, Dr Lawson having said he could do no more for him.—Application refused.

From Messrs Meason and Marchant, stating the ventilation contract had been finished, and enclosing certificate from Mr D. West, architect, to show it had proved satisfactory. From Dr Maclntyre, enclosing copies of letters which had passed between Dr Lawson and himself, and protesting against Dr Lawson exceeding his official duties by taking in hand and operating in cases which were under the care of other medical men. Dr Maclntyre wound up as follows :—“ Such is a copy of the correspondence, but the matter does not all end here, for as a sequence to the above : (another person) was taken into the hospital by Dr Lawson against the approval or consent of the patient’s usual medical attendant. As the latter gentleman, who is my informant, is a member of the board, I have no doubt he will be able to further enlighten you on the subject. In many quarters, unfortunately, the Timaru hospital bears the reputation of being more of a private boardinghouse than the useful public institution it should be. The sooner the better that it is made that useful institution, to which the poorest sufferer shall be admitted duly and without worrying questions as to payment ; much less that he be greeted with the words addressed not long ago to the carrier of a long-suffering and neglected patient from the country : ‘ How dare you bring her here ? ’ —I am, &e., P- Maclntyre.” —Dr Lawson said the operation had been done with Dr Maclntyre’s consent, and after a good deal of discussion, in which it appeared that the doctors were not a happy family, the matter dropped.

A letter from the Geraldine Town Board recommended that the amount paid to persons boarding certain children should be reduced, as the children were now grown up and become useful.—lt was stated that the persons who took them did so under an agreement that could not be varied against them by the board. Mr Moore pointed out that the children being under the supervision of a committee of ladies, they and not the local bodies should be consulted on such points. MISCELLANEOUS. It was decided to leave the question of taking further ?ction against Mrs Fitzgerald in the hands of the solicitors. A further grant of £2 was made to Mrs O’Shea, of Temuka, to enable her to go to her friends in Ireland. A passage by steamer bad been obtained for her, but she had no means of going from London to Ireland ; hence the additional grant. Dr Lawson reminded the board that some time ago they gave him six months leave of absence, and approved of Dr Thomas as his substitute. He had been unable to take advantage of the leave, having been obliged to stay to give evidence in the Daly case. He would be glad to take his holiday now. —Agreed to. Two old men, aged 76 and 73, waited on the board to request that they be allowed rations. One (the elder) had been given an’ order to go to the barracks but he preferred to stay with relatives, who, though they could do little things for him, could not support him.—lt was decided that he ought to go to the barracks. The other was referred to his son-in law, who, it was stated, was able and willing to support him.

Accounts amounting to £2lO 8s 4d on hospital accounts, and £l9l I9s for Charitable Aid were passed. The hospital accounts include £37 5s 7d balance of law costs after deducting recoveries. A little discussion took place on this, members expressing dissatisfaction with the results. The chairman remarked that the proceedings taken would probably have a deterrent effect worth the money spent. (The costs of the Fitzgerald and Grace cases were not included in the law account) Mr Barker gave notice of motion, in order to have the ma'ter discussed : “ That the board at its next meeting consider the advisability of making the hospital free to the working classes,

increasing the price to people in a better position, and discourage the out-patient system.” The board then rose. !