Thames Goldfields Hospital.

Thames Star, Volume VIII, Issue 2827, 7 March 1878, Page 3

Thames Goldfields Hospital.

Tho usual monthly meeting of the committee of this institution was held at the Salutation Hotel yesterday afternoon. There were present—Mr J. Fritter (President), Mr McCullough (Vice-President), Mr J. Hudson (Hon. Trensurer) ; the Eevs. J. T. Hinton, V. Lush; Messrs Miller, Renshaw, E. H. Power.lt. Comer, and McGowan.

MINOTES. The minutes of the last meeting wore read and confirmed. HOUSE COMMITTEE'S BEPORT. The report of this committee was read as follows:— Your committee have the honour to roporl fcbafc tenders were culled for. erecting v small room at eastern end-of verandah', 1 when seven contractor* hinded iv prices ranging from £47 to £15 10*. Tlitf Jowoat te!>&»r wus accepted, but vfa« thrown up next morning, and the next lowest, vi«., J. 3f1n.1t., £26 11s, wus then accepted; Iho small room at end of verandah is completed. The dining-room is being proceeded with. The application of Ihe female nurse for an increase of salary is not approved of by Ihe committee. Th> provisions supplied to the bospitul ore of Rood quality, and no complaints have been made. The 4Reounts for tho month h>ivc been examined, ._j»nd wo rccomtueud Jhe pHyment. of ealarirs, £54175; gencrul accounts, £7018s lid; and insurance, £5, dne tefore the next monthly meeting. Mr McCullougb moved that the report be received. Carried. Mr Eenshaw moved, and Mr Comer seconded, that tho report be adopted. Carried. TEEABUBEB'B EEPOET. The Hon. Treasurer's usual monthly report was then read as follows :— Balance sheet for the month ending the 28th February, 1878:—Receipts: Dr. To balance, £388 6s 3d; subscriptions account, £13 15s 6d; patients' charges account, £6 0« Id s G-overnment grant account, £250—£608. la lOd. Expenditure: Or. By salaries account, £65 7i ; maintenance account, £31 6s 2d j drugs and appliances account, £7 3s; medico! comfort" account, £7 19s | building and repairs account, £6; printing, advertising, and stationery account, £319s ; commia»ion account, £9 ; miscellaneous execses account £2 2s ; balance at tho Bank of Hew Zealand, £475 5b Bd—£Coß Is 10. Liabilities: To salaries, £54 17s ; general accounts, £75 18s lid j £34,4 9a 9d—£475 5a Bd. As•eta : By balance in bank, £475 5s Bd.

Mr Mulligan remarked* that the item for spirits was very high. Mr Power asked if they could not institute a comparison between the amount of spirits consumed at the Hospital durbg Dr Fox's and Dr Perston's management. He moved that the matter of the consumption of spirits be inquired into. The President said it was all accounted for in the daily diet table kept at the Hospital- Last month there were several cases which required a good deal of spirits. Mr McCullough thought that they ■hould not interfere with the Doctor. Mr Power withdrew his motion, and the discussion lapsed.

HOUSE STJBGEOtf's BEPOBT. The report of the House Surgeon was read as follows: — I hare the honor to report, for the information of the Committee, that on the 3l»fc of January ultimo there remained in the Hospital 21 patients; that during the month of February there were 14 admissions, 15 patients were discharged, 2 died ; and upon-the 28th of February 18 patients remained under treatment, while during the month 58 outpatients were treated at tho Hospital. Analysing the cases in the house there are 5 cases fracture, 8 alcoholism, 2 bronchitis, 1 dropsy, 1 rheumatism, 2 paralysis, 1 chronic encephalitis, 1 softening of the brain, 1 albuminaria, 1 bromorrhage. The deaths were of patients who had long suffered from chronic disease. The Committee having authorised some alterations and repairs to the Hospital, which are being executed, 1 would beg leave to suggest that the outside of the building be repainted, that the ward on skids be converted into an out-houie, and that one or two wards be erected for cases requiring isolation. The Her. J. T. Hinton said he was surprised tbat there were three cases of 11 delicious tremblings " in the hospital at the one time. The President said that all those in the Hospital now suffering from alcoholiim would pay for their treatment. Mr Power suggested that the three cases of alcoholism had something to do with the large spirit bill. The President pointed out the part of the report which referred to the painting of the Hospital. Mr McCullough said that he had intended to suggest that the Hospital be painted. The President said that perhaps before they went into further expenditure they would like to hear a letter he had received from the Government, which he would read:— . Colonial Secretary's Office, Wellington, February 14,1878. Sir,—Tho Government, oh taking office, found that the hospitals and charitable institutions throughout the colony were being managed upon no fixed principle or system, . and that it was absolutely necessary to place them oh a more satisfactory footing. TJp to the end of December, and till tho New Financial Arrangements Bill took effect, it was impossible to change the existing state of things,, but from that date the principle Govermfi**.-! have endtavoured to bring into' operation is one which ia at once comprehensible, uniform, and practical. In the larger towns Government have hitherto maintained a most unsatisfactory control, and paid the expenditure, recovering it, however, from the j Borough subsidies. In the outlying localities and at Hokitika a grant' in aid, differing in tome instances, but commonly 20a for 20s of subscriptions has been given, the local body taking charge as hospital committee. It is proposed for tho future, wherever possible, to plact the hospitals of the large towns under the direct control and management of the municipalities, and to subsidise them to the extent of 20s for every 20s of subscriptions, and ai the remaining cost will full on Borough funds, to mat*} no deductions whatever from the subsidies. In the outlying hospitals, although it is dieirnt'o that an elected body should have the control and management of the hospital, still where a committeo exists Government will continue the grant in aid •qual to the voluntary subscriptions, and make no charge on the subsidies whatever. It will be necessary, of course, to satisfy tho Colonial Secretary, as hitherto, as to tho amount of the voluntary subscriptions, but Government do not desire to interfere in any way with the looal management of the?e institutions.—l havf, 4c-, for tbo Colonial Secretary, G. S. Cooritß. J. Reushaw, Esq., President of Hospital Committee, Thrace.

Mr Renshawsaid that if he understood the letter aright the Hospital would be in a better position than at present, and it would be much better for the Borough. They formerly got a rote of £1000 from the Government which was deducted from tho

Borough subsidy. Tho Government now proposed to give £1 for i«v?ry £1 collected, which would amount u> .-GfiOO, and any deflciencv thero might I o would bo made up by Clio Bornusjli. uiii<li n-ould Miis them much better. They u.itfht dispose of tho report firat, nud tU-n see what would bo done with tho let-, r. The matter of painting tho Hospital and other sug-. estions in ihe nport were referred to the Mouse Committee. SUPPLY OV MEDICINES. 'A letter wns read from Mr Plant, nuking for a'share of tho supplying of tho hospital with medicines. The Set-rotary said that hitherto the various chemists had had the supplying of drugs in turn every three months. It was resolved that the matter be referred to the House Committee. A letter wns read from Messrs Bnrgoyno and Burbridges, wholesale chemists, London, acknowledging an order for drugs from the Committee- lleeeived. APOLOGIES. The absence of Messrs Ehrenfried and Davies was apoiigised for. THE LETTER FBOM THJ? GOVERNMENT. This matter was then considered. Mr Kenshaw proposed that the President, Vice President and the mover be a committee to see the Mayor and County Chairman and confer with them on the matter of hospitd subsidies. Carried. HONORARY MEPICAL STAFF. The Rev. V. Lush said that Dr Payne had expressed a wish to bo placid on the honorary medical staff of the Hospital. He moved that this be done.. Carried. HOSPITAL SUNDAY. The Secretary reported that he had sent the usual circulars to the managers of churches with refereuce to Hospital Sunday. It was agreed that Suuday the 19th of March be the day. HOUSE COMMITTEE. The leys. S. J. Neill and K. S. Bunn, and Messrs Aitken and Power were elected House Committee for ensuing month. This was all the business.