S.C. CHARITABLE AID BOARD.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2266, 13 October 1891, Page 1

S.C. CHARITABLE AID BOARD.

The monthly meeting of the South Canterbury Hospital and Charitable Aid Board was held at the Hospital on Friday. Present—Messrs J. Jackson (chairman), M. Quinn, D. McLaren, J. Sinclair, J. M. Barker. Apologies were received from Mr W. M. Moore and Dr Thomas. On the motion of Mr Quinn, seconded by Mr McLaren, it was decided to forward a letter of condolence to the widow of the late Mr T. O'Driscoll. Mr Moore, being unable to attend, wrote forwarding certain suggestions for amendments in the rules in case it was determined to continue the present medical staff system. In reply to an inquiry it was stated the saving to the board by the adoption of the system would be £175 to £2OO a year. Mr McLaren raised the question whether, if any addition were made to the number of medical men in town, the newcomer or newcomers would necessarily be added to the staff, and after a little discussion it was decided in the negat'T3, as it would increase the experse, and on the motion of Mr McLaren, seconded by Mr Quinn, it was resolved that the present arrangement be continued for twelve months, subject to termination at three months notice from either side, and a committee consisting of the chairman, Messrs Quinn, Sinclair, and the mover was appointed to make the necessary revision of the rules. Communications from Messrs Rhodes, Hall-Jones, and Major Steward, respecting the Waimate Separation Bill were read.

The house steward, Mr Jowsey, made three suggestions to the board—(l) That curtains should be provided to stop certain draughts in the wards, complained of by the medical staff, estimated cost £8; (2) That a female nurse be advertised for in place of one resigned; (3) That in future the funerals of destitute patients be charged to charitable aid account instead of to hospital maintenance account.—All the suggestions were approved and ordered to be carried out. The house steward mentioned the case of a man who died in the hospital, destitute, who had two brothers and two sisters in the district, not one of whom took any notice of communications sent them until after the man's death, ,and each and all refused to pav any part of the expenses incurred on their brother's behalf. —lt was decided to ascertain whether they cannot be compelled to pay, and members expressed the opinion that " such heartless conduct deserved no sympathy," and that it was "most unnatural conduct." On charitable aid business being taken,

An application was received from a former resident of Timaru, now in Queensland, to have sent over to him his wife and three children, now supported by the Charitable Aid Board. The wife also interviewed the board on the subject, and it was agreed to send the family over by the first direct steamer.

A woman in poor health, with seven children, husband and father in gaol, was allowed an increase of rations and a bag of coal per month. Several other cases were dealt with, three connected with Warrnate.

Hospital accounts £lB5 9s 3d, and charitable aid accounts £l4O 17s, were passed for payment, and the meeting closed.