S.C. HOSPITAL AND CHARITABLE AID BOARD.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2741, 22 November 1894, Page 2

S.C. HOSPITAL AND CHARITABLE AID BOARD.

The monthly meeting of the Sooth Canterbury Hospital and Charitable Aid Board was held on Tuesday. Present— Messrs J. Jackson (chairman). Talbot, Moore, Gillingham, Hill, Goltman and White. The chairman said that as this was the last meeting of the present board he had prepared a summary of the year’s work. The hospital had treated 387 in-patienta (16 accident cases) and 160 out-patients. The ventilation of the female ward been improved, theuflooring of the front building laid with files. Surgical instruments to the value of £SO had been procured. The average payment by patients was still below the average for the colony. Single men contributed little or nothing. From personal observation he believed the hospital to be well managed, and he was pleased to say that the inspector continued to hold it in high estimation. The barracks or Old Men’s Home had been greatly changed during the year, internally and externally, and the thanks of the board were due to the ladies who at the instigation of Mr Hall-Jonee raised money to provide comforts which the board could not afford. As was to be expected the increased comfort had caused increased demands for admittances. At an early date the board would have to make provision for enlarging the barracks. The management had' been very satisfactory. The garden and grounds were in very good order. The new system of cooking all the meals for the inmates was much appreciated and a great improvement. The sanitary arrangements had been greatly improved. Since the 36th November last there had been from tiwm t<f time admitted to the home 61, and 38 had been discharged; there had been 2 births and seven deaths; and there were now 22 in the home. The number of persons relieved outside was 810, benefiting in all 2936, at a cost of £630. There had been a greater demand for relief during the past than in any previous year, and as the colony gets older increased demand will be made. The children boarded out, a monthly average of 38, cost £520. Children at the industrial school cost the board £241 and those at . /Nelson £54. In consequence of the ? increased demands the board’s finances Lwere not in so good a state as at the same period' last year. The board were then to hand over to their successors e balance of £250 to begin with; this year there would be a debit balance. A'letter addressed to the board by Dr Thomas was read, in reply to one from the steward asking for return of mattresses, an instrument, and other articles borrowed by him some years ago. Dr Thomas questioned the steward’s recollection of the loans.—Mr Jowsey gave his version of the affair, and it was resolved—“ In reply to Dr Thomas the board will accept his proposals re mattresses ; with reference to the instrument the board are of opinion that the statement of the matter made by the steward is correct, and must therefore request the return of it to the hospital, also any other property belonging to the hospital.’* A discussion took place regarding certain debts due to the hospital. One of £45 12s incurred by a working m»n through several of his family being in the hospital at once was left to the chairman to see if he can make a definite arrangement with the debtor. Members / spoke of the necessity of more pressure being put npon hospital patients who can pay, especially single men. In another case wherein a son is held liable for a hospital account incurred by his father, the son had excused himself several times, and now wrote to the board’s solicitor making statements concerning the chairman v hich the latter said were false and slanderous.—lt was resolved to ask the person in question to pay £5 on January Ist and £5 every three months until the account is paid; failing any payment legal action to be taken unless good cause is shown.

Several items of charitable aid, new applications, were dealt with. On a recent request by a country settler that lists of charitable aid recipients be sent to the road boards, it waa stated that such lists had been sent for a long time, but very few of them were ever returned with any remarks. A full report by the secretary on a tour of inspection to the board’s patients in town and country was referred to the new board. Accounts were passed for payment—hospital £156 Os Id, charitable aid £240 3s 3d. The les-ee of the reserve asked to have the term of lease extended from three to five years.—Declined. This being the last meeting of the board hearty votes of thanks were passed to the chairman and staff, and these having been acknowledged the meeting terminated.