S.C. HOSPITAL AND CHARITABLE AID BOARD.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2570, 19 October 1893, Page 3

S.C. HOSPITAL AND CHARITABLE AID BOARD.

The monthly meeting of the South Canterbury Hospital and Charitable Aid Board was held on Tuesday. Present— Messrs J. Jackson (chairman), Barker, Talbot, Graham, and the Mayor of Timaru. The chairman made a statement as to the coat of the hospital patients, that the last annual return showed it had fa’len from 4s 9d to 4s 2d, and in view of this reduction, which the board should hope would continue, he would propose a reduction in , the charge to patients. He moved that the charge be reduced to 20s per week, as a means of rendering the institution more popular, and therefore more useful and a greater benefit all round.—Mr Jowsey suggested that 20s a week would not divide into a day charge, while 21s would. Mr Jackson therefore adopted 21s. After some discussion, during which it was stated that all expenditure about the hospital, inside and out, on buildings and other improvements, and also the dispensing to outdoor patients, everything done at the hospital, is charged to the in-patients’ account, it was decided that the charge to patients in the hospital be reduced to 4s per day for the ensuing year. A letter from the Waimate Hospital Trustees stated that they could not entertain the slightest thought of giving up a portion oft the hospical for the purpose of an old men’s home, as suggested by this board, but they would not object to meeting the board to discuss the question of erecting a home.—This letter led to a discussion of the old men’s home question, and Mr Graham moved—•“ That the matter of acquiring land and establishing a home be postponed indefinitely, the present accommodation to be used until more urgent need arises.” After a good deal of discussion Mr Graham withdrew his motion in favor of the following, by Messrs Talbot and Moore, which was carried unanimously—- “ That the committee appointed at the last meeting to suggest any necessary alterations to the building and internal arrangements at the barracks be reappointed, with the addition of Mr Moore, such committee to report on the whole question of the buildings being permanently used as an ©ld people’s home, and what alterations are needed : also as to what should be the form of management in charge of the institution.” The flooring of the hospital kitchen, scullery, and adjoining passage being rotten, the steward submitted an estimate of the cost of repairs, in wood £2B, and in tiles to be got from England, about £5 more. As the tiles would make a better and more lasting job the board decided to adopt them, and instructed the steward to send Home for the tiles.

The steward showed samples of the blankets made for the hospital at the Timaru Factory, and he said Mrs Jowsey considered them a first-class article,

The Waimate Hospital Trustees wrote demanding the second moiety of their funds for 1893-4, £443.—1t was resolved to send the Waimate Board half what they asked for in the meantime. Correspondence from the Land Commissioner’s office stated that the certificate of title to the old hospital reserve was ready to be given to the board on payment of the fee of 22a.

A quantity of correspondence relating to charitable aid cases was read. A case at Geraldine was ordered to be struck off the list of recipients. It was agreed to allow a stick of tobacco per week to old men in the barracks. The question of medical attendance on poor people in the ecuntry was raised by Mr Moore,, and after talking it over, it Was agreed that recipients of charitable aid requiring medical assistance, who cannot go to the hospital, may obtain it on an order from the local member, who will be expected to exercise strict supervision. The same rule to apply to children boarded out, when suffering from' serious illnesses, the cost of all ordinary ailments to be borne by the foster parents. Accounts amounting to £l9B 11s 5d for charitable aid, and £lB2 18s 6d for the hospital, were passed for payment, and also a cheque for £221 10s to the Waimate Hospital Trustees.