THAMES GOLDFIELD HOSPITAL.

Thames Advertiser, Volume VII, Issue 1909, 3 December 1874, Page 3

THAMES GOLDFIELD HOSPITAL.

The usual monthly meeting of the hospital was held yesterday at the Salutation Hotel. There ffere present—Rev V. Lush, Rev J. Crump, Messrs Renshaw, Gudgeon, Cox, Frater, Sims, Bagnall, Souter, Macnab, Wilkinson, Power. In the absence of Mr Howe, Rev V. Lush was called to the chair.

House Committee's Beport.—The House Committee reported the fixing of the new kitchen stove and copper boiler, which were working well, and would at any moment supply a demand of upwards of forty gallons of boiling water. The committee recommended the sale of the old boiler and store, removed. The alterations in bath rooms, and supply of new iron bedsteads, &c., recommended, the committee left to bp reported on next month. The committee stated that they were happy to report very favourably on the management of the hospital generally. -On the motion of iVTr Sims, seconded by Mr Bagnall, the report was adopted. Tbeascheb's Report.—Mr Ronshaw then read the treasurer's statement, which was as follows: — To balance, £266 13s 6d; subscriptions' ncronnt, £16' Is 6d-fl28& 16a.-" By salaries, £51 15s 4dj maintenance, £45 13s; medical oomforts s £6. lis 6d; furnUuro,

£1 13s;. undertakers' account, £4 7s; drugs, £2 lis 9d; advertising and printing, £118s; building and repairs, £14s; commission, £110s; miscellaneous expenses, Is 6d; balance at bank, £159 12s sd; in hand, £5 17s 6d£282 18s. Liabilities: Salaries, £51 14s 8d; general accounts, £93 13s sd; drugs, £45 6s Gd—£l9ol4s 7d. Assets: Gash balance, £115 9s lid; Provincial Government subsidy, £166 13s 4d— £332 3s 3d; less liabilities, £190 14 7d£2418s Bd. The Treasurer also read the accounts in detail.-—The report was received, and the accounts ordered to be paid. Mouse Stjeseon's Bepoiit.—The following report was read from the House Surgeon .—" Gentlemen,—The state of the Thames Hospital during the past month has beeu as follows: Remaining in hospital October 31, 21; admitted from November Ist to 30th, 18; discharged, 20; died, 1; remaining in hospital November 30th, 18; average of sick per diem, 20; number of out-patients, 101. On November 26th I attended his Honor the Superintendent and Drs Lee and Hooper for the purpose Jof affording information as to the general condition of your hospital, and submitted to their inspection the various appliances used for the patients,

Application pob Leave ebom House Stjbgeon.—The following letter was read from Dr Lethbridge: — " Gentlemen,— Having occasion shortly to visit Melbourne to meet my wife, who is returning from England, I beg (in accordance with Kulc 19 of tho Hospital i'ules) to make application for two months' (more or lees) leave of absence from my duties. I shall be prepared to leave an efficient substitute in my place to conduct the duties of my office; and trust that the fact that many years have elapsed since the foundation of your hospital, in which I have made no similar request, will induce you to entertain my application in a favourable manner." —Mr Eenshaw proposed' that the doctor's application be acceded to. He understood that Dr Kilgour was to supply Dr lethbridge's place, and he thought in the circumstances the request should be granted.-Mr Power thought that the nomination of the gentleman who was to act in Dr Lethbridge's absence should be left to the general committee.--Mr Bagnall thought that Dr Lethbridge should have mentioned in his letter who he proposed to leave. He would propose that the request be granted on condition that some one was left whom the House Committee approved of, -This motion was unanimously agreed to.

Application raou a Wabdsiun.—An application was read from John' Smith, wardsman, applying for an increase of salary. He was at present getting 25s a week. The letter set forth the grounds for asking the increase.—ln answer to Mr Bagnall, Mr Kenshaw stated that the salary of the other wardsman was 35s per week.—Mr Macnab thought, as this committee had only another meeting, they should not make any change in the salaries. The whole matter had lately been considered by a committee.—Mr Sims proposed that Smith's salary should be increased by ss.—Mr Power seconded the motion.—Mr Eenshaw said Smith would not then be overpaid, He had had experience in the Army Hospital Corps. Mr Bagnall strongly supported the motion, which was carried.

Tendees pob ■* upplies. -Tenders were then opened for the supply of various articles. There was only one tender for groceries, from Mr Norbury, which was accepted. For butcher's meat there were tenders from Mr Dalziel, Mr Bobbett, and Mr D. Orme. Mr Daziel's tender was accepted, as it was slightly under the others, and he had given satisfaction on his last contract. For bread, Mr Forgie, Mr Garden, Hollersou and Son, and Mr J. Robinson tendered. Mr Garden's tender was accepted, at 6£d, the others being 7fd. For milk, Mr Buckley, Mr Williams, and Mr Snelgar tendered. Mr Duffcy, who has for the last half-year supplied the hospital, sent in a tender, but it was not handed in till just when the tenders were being opened. It was agreed that as.the tender had been sent in too late it be not received. Mr Williams tender was accepted. There was only one tender for funerals, Mr Grigg, at £2 fa 6d per interment, which was accepted. For washing, the tender of Mr Snelgar was accepted —Mr Frater thought they ought to purchase a lactometer for the purpose of testing the milk supplied to the hospital. He moved to that rffeot.—Mr w ilkinson said it would come rather hard on the milkman. He had tried one, and on making known the result of the test to the man who supplied him, he Boid that whatever test was applied water would be found, from one-half to one-third in quantity., In order to get some pure milk he had to pay double price. —The proposal was agreed to. Peoposed Kemunebation to the S.ECKETABY.-Mr Wilkinson proposed that Mr Honiss should get £5 to compensate him for the extra trouble he had been at in attendance on the sub-com-mittee, &c, in connection with the inquiries into the hospital management.—Mr finis seconded the resolution.—Mr Bagnail proposed that the matter should stand over in the meantime.—Mr Frater seconded _ the amendment.—After some conversation it was agreed to let the proposal stand over till next meeting. House Committee.—Messrs Kennan, Souter, Frater, and Hudson were appointed as the House Committee for the next month.