ANNUAL MEETING OF SUBSCRIBERS.

Thames Star, Volume VII, Issue 1888, 21 January 1875, Page 2

ANNUAL MEETING OF SUBSCRIBERS.

The annual meeting of subscribers to the Thames Goldfield Hospital was held in the Theatre Royal, last evening, at 7 o'clock. There was a large attendance of subscribers, and a considerable gathering of the outside public. The whole of/the members of the late general committee were'present. . ANNUAL BEPOBT. The Secretary read the Annual Report, from which we extract the important items:—During the year additions hare been made to appliances—a new cooking stove has been obtained,-and a new porch to the female ward constructed; Representations having been made as to the necessity for increased accommodation, His Honor the Superintendent has express* d a desire to co-operate in that direction should the Committee to be'elected think it necessary. The Committee also report that their efforts to induce mine managers to take a deeper interest in the institution hare been attended with marked success/ Ind contributionsfrom the men, notwithstanding the existing depression, have increased from £101 13s 6d for 1873, to £2|B 15s 6d for 1874. The amount from private contributions during the year was less than the previous one, and there were several subscribers of 1873 whose names do not appear on the list of 1874. The thanks of the Committee are tendered to the clergymen and office-bearers of the several churches j for the ' efforts made on Hospital Sunday, which resulted in an addition of £63 3s 5d to the funds. The thanks of the Committee are again tendered to Mr Dunn, of the Salutation Hotel, for the continued use of a room for Committee meetings. The report concluded- by referring to the case of Mr Power; and appealing to the Thames community for continued and increased support to the Hospital. .

The Chairman said it woulid be riecessary for some gentleman to move the adoption of the report, If anyone wished to offer any remarks, the matter was now in the hapds of the meeting. Mr William Davies CMayor) moved that the report be.adopted. Seconded by Mr Taylor, and carried nem cm.

BALANCE-SHEET FOB THE YEAK. Mr Renshaw, Hon! Treasurer, read the balance sheet as follows:—

"Dr: To balance in hand 31st Dec, 1873, £14 Is 3d; balance in bank 31st ditto, £228 Os 6d. Subscriptions and donations account: Workman of various goldmining companies, <fcc, £228 15s 6d; goldmining_ arid other companies, £30 13s; societies, associations, &c, £13 13s 3d; private contributions, £159 0s Id; Hospital Sunday account,: £63 3s sd: patients' charges account, £30 9s 6d; Provincial Government account, £750; total, £1,517 lJ5s 6<l.~Cr. Y B£ salaries account, £655 18s 4d ;" maintenance account, (meat, bread, groceries, milk, fuel, washing), £513 3s sd; medical comforts account, £52 15s 4d; drugs account; £95 3s 2d; furniture account, £18 13s 9d; insurance account, £5; advertising and printing account, £17 9s ; stationary account, £4 Is 9d; miscellaneous expenses account, £20 7s lid; funeral expenses account, £15 4s 6d ; building and repairs account, £42' 11s 6d; commission account, £24 19s 8d; auditors' fees account, 425; balance at bank, £50 6s 7d; total, £1,517 16s 6d.—-Liabilities: Salaries account, £60 18s4d; monthly current account, £80 3s 8d; total, £141 2s. Assets : Balance at Bank of New Zealand, £50 6s 7d; Provincial Government^ subsidy, due, £250; less liabilities, £141 2s ; total, £159 4s 7d.—• Ledger balances ;—Liabilities : Bank of New Zealand, £50 6s 7d ; Pronvincial Government, £250; total, £300 6s 7d. Asset: Thames Hospital general account, £300 6s 7d;-—James Hopcbai't, T. L. Mtjbbay, Auditors. (Signed) James Renshaw, Hon. Treasurer; B. Honiss, Secretary."Mr BENSHATjr tto read the following

list of subscriptions from mining companies:— Goldmining Companies, &c. —Dixon's No. 1, £5; City of York, 60s ; Bed White and Blue, 21s ; Sink-To-Hise tributers, 21s; Old Whau, £5 ; Golden Calf, 21s; Kilgour and Coombes, £5; Bank of New Zealand, £10. Societies and associations—Cornish 'Christmas Carol Singers,.£s 11s; 1.0.G.T., Pioneer Lodge, 72s 3d; German Society, 40s; Bakers' Association, 40s; Shortland Saw Mill, £12 14s 6d ; Tararu battery, 40s; Bright Smile battery, 10s ; Bright Smile mine, £57 17s 6d; Moanataiari, £40 14s ; Prices' foundry, £6; United Pumping Association, per Mr Box, £10 7i; do, per, Mr Errington, £7 12s ; Masters' Tailings Works, £9 10s ; Bendigo Independent, 80s ; Bull.s battery, 27s ; Waitemata, 54s ; Old Whau, 40s ; Alburnia, £15 15s; City of London, £10 9s; Water Eaee, 30s : Una, 12s 6d; Kuby, 60s; Queen of Beauty, £17 16s ; Queea of Beauiy battery, 61s ; Imperial Crowa battery, £7 Is 6d ; Tramway batterp, 89s 6d; Tookey, 16s 6d; South British (contractors), 20s ; Tham«s Eiver Steam Saw Mill, £5 18s 6d. Hospital Sunday. Eoman Catholic Church, £10 11s; Wesleyaa Church (Grahamstown), £7 10s ; do. (Shortland), 60s 8d; Primitive Methodist, 46s 9d; Presbyterian Church, £16 7s 5d ; English Church, £23 7s 7d; Baptist Church, £5 Os 9d. The Chairman said .the Hospital was indebted a great deal to the late Hon. Treasurer, who had taken, cpinsiderable pains and expended a deal *of labor in connection with ifc from the commencement; and he had no doubt that his services would be as gladly afforded,in the future.

Mr McGowan said it afforded him much pleasure to move the adoption of the report, the more so as there was a noticeable improvement in the support accorded by the working miner. He thought if the people generally would take a lesson in this instance from the working classes, the institution would at the next meeting be in a more flourishing condition even than at the present time. Mr Landers seconded the motion, which was put, and carried nem. con.

EEPOBT OF THE MEDICAL STAFF.

The report of the medical staff was then read as follows .—-

The number of patients admitted in 1874 were 183, being a decrease of 18 as compared with 1873; while on the other hand the number of deaths for 1874 exceeded those of 1873 by 10. This.is accounted for partially by the increased proportion of accidents and disorders of a violent character which occurred last year as compared with 1873. There is a largo increase ■of out-patients over the year 3873; accounted for as follows: — 1, no proper account of out-patients was kept till last year; 2, there is aa increasing tendency to make use of the. Hospital for small emergencies, such as cuts and bruises, painful teeth and the like. The amount received from in-patients, it is j regretted, is still very small, relatively, to ,the numbers enjoying the benefits of indoor treatment, and the medical staff respectfully draw the attention of subscribers to this fact, with the view of establishing a more careful enquiry into the reasons which exist for the too general non-observance of the regulations in this behalf. Certain additions and improvements are spoken of as wanting, namely a bath and bath-room for the female ward ; the bedsteads of the Hospital are not wide enough and are ill-constructed. The following is a table showing the numbers and sex of patients treated during the year; their nationality and the diseases from which they suffered according to nosological classification: — '* Annual state of the Thames Hospital from lsjt January to 31st December, 1874: —Remained in Hospital 31st December, 1873, 12 males, 5 females ; total, 17 ; admitted from Ist January to 3lst December, 1874, 149 males, 34 females ; total, 183; discharged, 130 males, 31 females ; total, 161; died, 16 males 4 females; total, 20;' remaining in hospitsl 31st December, 1874, 15 males, 4 females; total, 19; out-patients treated during the year, 280 males, 367 females ; total, 647. Admitted during the year : England, 62; Scotland, 22; Ireland, 50; New Zealand, 29 ; other countries, 20; total, 183. Statistical Nosology: Zymotic diseases, 38; constitutional diseases, 6; local diseases, 64; developmental diseases, 11; violent diseases or deaths, 81; total, 200."

The Chairman stated with reference to the beds and other matters requiring attention that they had been under the consideration of the Hospital Committee;"" but as the end of the year was coming on apace, it was thought better to leave these matters for the consideration of the Committee to be elected for the ensuing year. No doubt immediate action would be taken in this direction, and the necessary improvements supplied. ,Mr Heron moved the adoption of the report, which was seconded by Mr Grigg —whtf) said the thanks of the subscribers were due to the medical staff for their elaborate statement of the working of the Hospital—and carried unanimously. ELECTION OF PBESIDENT The election' of a president for the ensuing year being the next business before the meeting, Mr Wm. McCullough begged to nominate Mr Wm. Roire as a candidate for that office. That gentleman had fulfilled the duties pertaining to the office with ability during the past year, and he felt no doubt but that he would fulfil those ; duties as creditably in future if elected! Mr Ehrenfried seconded the nomination, of Mrßowe, who had given great satisfaction during theifcime he had held office, and he (Mr Ehrerifried) did not think they could do better than to elect him 'again. 1.., . „:.; ': : ; :.-■■•...; ■;■.„,.;., ./ - Mr, Sims nominated the Kev. Mr Lush, and in doing so, said he had been very much surprised to see a statement from ;]Mt- Rowe in that evening's paper, contr>dicting a rumour that he did not intend to

accept the office of President. He had had a conversation with Mr Howe, who distinctly stated that he did not intend to stand. Three or four gentlemen had been named, and Mr Eowe had approved of one of those names. His nomination, *r ?£ e ' asfconißl»ed him (Mr Sims). f* Kennan seconded Mr Sims's motion. Mr rower suggested that as the Provmml Government subscribed the greater part of the money to the Hospital the bupenntendent should be elected President.. . — Mr Hart considered they, had h^T

The Cliairman stated that Mr Power was pntirely out of order because the !*:uporint"ndent'wasnot eligible, not beihe a subscriber. . . • , ft

Before putting the motion for the election of. President, Mr Bowe offejr#d some remarks in answer to what Mr Sims had said respecting him. In nominating Mr Lush, lie could have done so withoutmSing any allusion whatever to bint (Mr Bowe). He considered himgttiltrof ww bad taste indeed. (Cheers ) i?e £2 certainly talked with Mr Bims, and had expressed a wish that tome other than himself—some layman 'on the Committee-—should £11 the office of President for the ensuingyear. He did not covet the office, though he felt thankful to the subscribers for giving it to him; and had some layman been elected as President, such a course would hare had his hearty concurrence. But he had seen ?ome gentlemen who had expressed a desire that he should again stand for the position, and he had yielded to their persuasions. He would endeavor (if elected) to do the best for the institution in the future as he had done in the past. If they thought Mr Lush a better man than 'him they should by all means, elect him, and he (Mr Bowe) would assist him toil* utmost in forwarding the interests of the « Hospital. ■"'... '. ,J., \ .-, Messrs John Brown and J. Heron were.y' elected scrutineers. . '• v"|; :"v' The motions were then jmt to the meeting in order, wit£ the following jgisuit :~Mr Eowe, 94; tfr Lush, oV*jE Bowe was therefore elected by a nwjoWy; Mr Howe thanked ffoe-'suDseibeWflllv the honor which had been «gain ojfferejl him. He considered such honors should go in a circle. He believed :thejs% e *e several members of the. Committee who could fall the charge better tliah himself ■ and would have been glad to have seen them oleeted: tlidt 5 evening •" but as they / had elected hinvhe thanked them most ' heartily. He would say a word respecting the Hospital. The necetfsitjMbrthe institution was never »f^#p|i^^tn«tt during the "past j'faiv, Accident* hid be«n frequent; and had \. these K been.> 'SQhospitai, in many "' instalc^i' fltf*"rfc*" '' suits would hare been much , worst than they were. He w« D dy glad to observe that the working men had ■ taken such a deep interest infhft nytftfrr, By this they had shown their appreciation of the institution. . if e trusted that their efforts wonld not , cease, but greatly increase during the present yeah There were several mining companies on the field whose contributions were small, and* the members of some did not contribute•at all. He hoped this would not be shown •to be the case at the next annual meeting, but that the £228 derived from that source would be v doubled at least."" Another matter there was which ho wished to speak of. Reference was made in the.report to private contributions, which had fallen off. Why, hecould hardly say, as business men on the field had not suffered more than the miners from'the prevailing depression. This wa9 the only drawback in connection with the report, and he trusted all would endeavour to promote a feeling of. interest in the Hospital whenever they could. Some had been heard to say they would subscribe if the secretary would call ■ upon them. He hoped they would not wait for that in future, and so that there could be no excuse on this head, he might say that* the secretary would be always available at his office. (Mr Bowe subsequently said be had , just been informed by the Treasurer that the contributions from the churches on Hospital Sunday more than made up for the deficiency in the private contributions. He therefore trusted that all would be very regular in attending church.) , , f ELECTION OP YICE-PBEttVlirT. Messrs Bagnall, and the B»v. Jamwi Hill were nominated for this office i'- It was duly put to the vote, and resulted ' as follows:—Mr Bagnall, 44; Mr Hill, 76:' Majority for Mr Hill, 32. ELECTION OF COMMITTEE. rt . ./.Jf The following are the names of gentle* men in the order in which they were noa* inatod, and th numbers of votes:— John Brown ... 100 L. J. Bagnall .... , ... 77 John Frater ... 85 , ~ Duncan Macnab 57 < ?SH. Mcllhone ... ... 73 >. A. Dewar ..., ... ... 61 ; ' J. McGewan 26 Chas. C6x ... ... : ... 32 Wm. Sims .. 9% - B. Kenrian ... ... ... 76 v' Wm. McCullough .:. „. 73,-,, t ;", Wm. Davies (Mayor) ... 109 Wm. Wilkinson 19 L. Ehrenfried ... ... 46 Alex. Unthank 9 Y. Lush 134 K. Comer 90 T. W. Qudgeon 60 E.K.Tyler >' ... ;.. 16 W. Souter 60 Bev. J. Crump ... ' ... 74 ':<- Chas. Hill 58 Jahn Hudson 68 Bev. J.Davis ... ... 20 J. Fergusson ... ;., 23 H.H.Adams ... r ... 55 *■ B.'H. Power 20 J. Benney 84 ;: James Cocks \\ „, %\'""\

The Chairman declared the following gentlemen elected a Committee for the year :—Bev V.Lush, 134; J. Johns, 110; W. Davies, 109; J. Brown, 100; J. Frater, 95 ; B-. Comer, 90; W. Sims, 87; J. Benney, 84; L. J. Bagnall, 77 ; K. Kennan, 76; Bev J. Crump, 74; H. Mcllhone, 73; W. McCullough, 73; J. Hudson, 68; A. Dewar, 61; T. W. Gudfeon, 60; C. Hill. 58; D. Macnab, 57 ; LH. Adams, 55.

Auditors were then appointed, namely, F. SjDay and J. Hendry, and the meetif g concluded after passing a vote of tbafcyp to the Chairman.