THAMES GOLDFIELD HOSPITAL.

Thames Star, Volume VII, Issue 2157, 2 December 1875, Page 2

THAMES GOLDFIELD HOSPITAL.

The monthly meeting of the General Committee of the above institution was held yesterday afternoon in the Salutation Hotel, Mary street. Present —Mr Rowe, President; Rev. Mr Crump, with Messrs Johns, Cox, |Comer, Reushaw, Hudson, McNab, McCullough, Bagnall, Gudgeon, Frater, Davies, Brown, and Sims.

The minutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed^ and the secretary then read the report from the House Committee, which testified to the satisfactory working of the institution during the past month. The treasurer's statement showed that there would only be a credit of £67 12s Id after the monthly accounts for wages and expenses had been paid. The Government subsidy of £166 13s 4d was also given credit for in this statement. Surgeon's report was as follows :—Gentlemen, —I bare the honour to report that the state of your hospital for the month of November has been as follows: — Remaining in hospital, 31st October, 18 ; admitted during November, 10; discharged, 16; died, 1; Remaining, 30th November, 11; average daily in-patients, 15^; number of out-patients, 108. I have been anxious to diminish the expenses of the institution as much as is consistent with efficiency, and for that reason have not admitted'anj patients who could satisfactorily be treated as out-patients, or retained in the wards any who could as well be treated outside. The paper lining of the female hospital is in a bad* state, and likely to harbour vermin. I would suggest for your consideration the propriety of lining it in the same manner as the two larger wards of the hospital have been lately lined, a method which appears to answer every purpose of cleanliness and economy.—l am, &c, Alexander Fox, M.D.

Mr Henshaw drew attention to the fact that a very great hardship was imposed by the surgeon requiring from a person who had been an out-patient for some time and finding it necessary to enter the Hospital, an admission ticket. As nearly all the recommendation tickets were used up it sometimes imposed a great deal of trouble on a patient to obtain one. Mr McCallough said he did not think it would be advisable to alter the system at present, as the surgeon was only carrying out the rules of the Hospital. Several other gentlemen spoke on the subject, and it was resolved to leave^the matter in the surgeon's hands. The suggestion in the report re the female ward was remitted for the consideration of the House Committee, after which the report was received.

A letter of complaint was received against Mrs Dunn, the acting female nurse, but as a change of nurse was to be made the matter dropped.

Applications for situation of nurse to the female Hospital were received from Mrs Dunn and Mrs Thewles.

Mr Sims moved that authority be given to the House Committee to engage a competent nurse at a salary of 20s per week. Advertisements to be inserted in the Auckland papers, and the present nurse to be employed in the meantime. Mr Davies proposed that Mrs Thewles be appointed temporarily. Seconded by Mr lienshaw and carried. .

The tenders for the half-yearly'supplies were received, and Mr P. £forbury's tender being the lowest was accepted for groceries; Mr Bobbett's for meat; Mr Thompson's for bread; Mr Dufty's for milk ; Mrs McNeme's for washing ; and Mr J. Grigg's for funerals.

An account for drugs, ordered by Dr Lethbridge, was received and referred to House Committee.

The House Committee for the ensuing month were then appointed, which concluded the business.