S.C. HOSPITAL AND CHARITABLE AID BOARD.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2148, 10 January 1891, Page 2

S.C. HOSPITAL AND CHARITABLE AID BOARD.

The monthly meeting of the above board was held yesterday, Present— Messrs John Jackson (chairman), D. McLaren, J. Sinclair, J. M. Barker, E. A. Barker, M. Quinn, and Captain Hayter. In his opening statement the chair* man said since last meeting a widow and family had been thrown on the hands of the board, and a sailor from a vessel just leaving the port. As the vessel had cleared the Customs before any action was taken the ship was not responsible. The board’s overdraft, after passing the accounts that day, would be £425. There was £422 outstanding, due from four bodies— Timaru Borough, Levels Eoad Board, and Geraldine and Arowhenua Town Boards—and in consequence of the non-receipt of these contributions this board had to pay interest on an overdraft, while they were entitled to a subsidy of £1760 from the Government if those sums were paid. Members expressed the opinion that the case of the seaman was one of very sharp practice, and a resolutien was carried that no patients from seagoing ships be received into this hospital without an order from the ship’s agents guaranteeing payment of all expenses incurred on behalf of such patients. It was also decided to renew the claim upon the agents. Mr D. M. Boss was appointed treasurer, and he and the chairman to be finance committee.

Dr Barnard Lawson wrote giving two months’ notice of hia resignation, and expressing hia thanks for the extremely kind and considerate treatment he had always met with at the hands of the board,—-The resignation was accepted with regret.

A letter was read from the Mount Peel Road Board suggesting that members of the local bodies should have power to give orders for admission to the hospital to avoid delay and inconvenience.—After some discussion the matter was held- over for further consideration, and for an enquiry to be addressed to the board as to what inconvenience is felt under the present system. It was pointed out that each member of the hospital board can give orders. Mr R. A. Barker’s motion to rescind a resolution fixing the charge to hospital patients at the average “ actual cost,” 4s 9d per day, and fix it at 3s per day, was lost after a discussion by 4 to 3, Messrs Barker, Sinclair, and the chairman voting for it. Mr McLaren withdrew his notice of motion for a rate of 3s 6d per day. The rate remains at 4s 9d per day. Six applications for the post of resident surgeon were opened, of which two were held to be informal. From the four thus left in—Drs W. Butement (Dunedin), H. W. M. Kendall (Temuka), W. G, McLennan (Wairarapa), and John Somerville (Mataura) —Dr Somerville was elected

by four votes to three over Dr Kendall. Dr Somerville ia a young man of 24, M,8., O.M. of Edinburgh University, graduating with honors; an old dux of the Dunedin Boys’ High ( School, University junior scholarship holder, and prizeman in several subjects. He was born at Anderson’s Bay, Dunedin. . Charitable aid business was dealt * with, and certain inquiries ordered to be made at Fairlie Creek,

Hospital accounts, £l4O 8a sd, and charitable aid accounts, £147 6s 9d, were passed for payment, and the board rose.