S.C. CHARITABLE AND BOARD.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2320, 18 February 1892, Page 3

S.C. CHARITABLE AND BOARD.

The montlily meeting of the South Canterbury Hospital and Charitable Aid Board was held on Tuesday. Present — Messrs Jackson (chairman), Sherratt, McLaren, Graham, Moore, and Barker. The chairman stated that he had visited the hospital several times and found everything going on smoothly. The local bodies had all paid their contributions and the Government subsidy, £1299, had been received. At present there was a credit of £1124 18s 2d, which, with payments to be made of £223 Is Id, would leave £9Ol 17a Id in the bank. Looking ahead to the end of the year, and to some receipts during the interval, they would probably have a small credit balance at the end of the year. The payment of this month was the smallest since he had been chairman of the board. The demands for charitable aid had decreased. In Februray 1891 the ration bill was £57 12s; in February this year it was £5 less. The cost of children in the two months respectively was £4B and £47. There were now 40 children on the board's hands, including nine in the barracks. There were three old men and no old women in the barracks now.

The Mayor (Mr Sherratt), and Mr Moore spoke in complimentary terms of the management and condition of the hospital. On the recommendation of Dr Lovegrove, it was resolved to procure an artificial limb for a patient who had Buffered amputation ; cost about SA. Mr Jowsey was instructed to make inquiry as to the cost of a small freezing machine. Hospital accounts amounting to £96 148 4d were passed. A letter from Mrs Eoss, of Christchurch, asked for consideration of the case of a young man named Phillips, formerly of Woodbury, who spent some time in the hospital for treatment for rheumatism and now desired to try the Rotorua springs.—lt was agreed to forward the medical report required by the Government, but not to undertake liability for the cost of his journeys and maintenance. The Waimate County Council wrote inquiring what sum the board would levy upon the county next financial year, as they might wish to arrange a separate rate.—On this letter Mr McLaren spoke at considerable length, advocating the collection of the charitable aid rate directly, so that the ratepayers would know what they were paying for aid. More interest would then be taken in the business, and there would be less talk about harshness and so on. He felt confident that it would result in large economies, as people would be more careful about sending applicants to the fc board, and the undeserving would be J sooner bowled out. Something should be done to prevent the spread of the feeling that people should apply to the Government or the local body for every little thing they want, and do nothing for themaelves. The self reliant spirit which was so prominent in the character of the old colonists appeared to be disappearing altogether from the population of to-day. If they got into any little difficulty they not only asked for assistance but claimed it as a right. The sooner they brought the ratepayers to understand that they had to find the funds the better it would be for the country, and the better for the patients themselves. Mr Barker expressed his concurrence with these remarks. Messrs Perry, Perry, and Kmnorney s |! account of £2 4s Gd, for a special opinion Von the legality of the Mayor's election to the board, was ordered to be sent back to the Borough Council, the board disclaiming liability. It was determined to have tl" j; „ the tall taken ug pdi-'; uced i^J™

at once; and that estimates be prepared by next meeting for an iron fence along the Queen street front, for closet connections, and for ventilating the fever ward. Charitable aid accounts to the amount of £126 6s 9d were passed for payment and the board rose.