Thames Goldfield Hospital.

Thames Star, Volume XI, Issue 3568, 3 June 1880, Page 2

Thames Goldfield Hospital.

The usual monthly meeting of the General Committee took place yesterday afternoon in the Salutation Hotel. His Worship the Mayor presided, and there was a good attendance.

The report of the House Committee showed that the Hospital had been visited and was in a most satisfactory state. The accounts for the month were—Salaries, £51 6s, and general items, £53 10s Bd, of which payment was recommended. The wards had been painted and whitewashed at a cost of £10 2s Bd.—The report was adopted on the motion of Mr Murray. The Treasurer read the statement of accounts for the month of May, which was as follows:—Receipts.—To cash balance £151 19s lOd, subscriptions and donations £21 19s, patients' charges £3 2s, bank overdraft £229 3s Id, total £416 3s lid. Expenditure.—By overdraft £124 ss, salaries £57 2s, maintenance £44 8s 4d, drugs and appliances £8 3s lid, medical comforts £20 4s 6d, printing and advertising £6 16s, commission £112s 6d, miscellaneous £2, balance £151 11s Bd, total £416 3s lid. The. assets are:— Cash £1 Oa lOd, cheque drawn by Borough £150, subsidy due from Government £332 10s 2d, total £483 11s. Against these are the following liabilities, viz. :— Bank overdraft £239 3s Id, salaries £61 6s, current accounts £53 10s Bd, showing a balance of £129 11s 3d.

The House Surgeon's report stated that 10 patients had been admitted, and 6 discharged during the month. No deaths had occurred. The out-patients numbered 128. On the motion of Mr Renshaw it was decided that in future the names of the occupants of the Old Men's Refuge be attached to the doctor's report. The list of subscribers for the last 15 months was presented. Mr Mcllhone moved that it be read, but this course was objected to by several members. He said that reports had reached him that some of the subscriptions which had been paid had not been acknowledged.

Mr Renshaw moved that the list be on the table of the Committee room of the Hospital. 16 was decided that the President should hare charge of the list, and that it would be open for the inspection of every member of the Committee during the ensuing month. Mr McGowan wished to know how it was that so imany changes had taken place in the nurses. Mr Mellhone said that if a Committee were formed to inquire into the general management of the Hospital they would find out the reason, as well as the cause of many things which had lately taken place. The Mayor: Do you refer to anonymous letters which have appeared in the papers lately P If so I shall oppose it. Mr Hume thought an inquiry might do good. Mr Frater thought the salary given too small. They could not expect to get an

efficient nurse for the remuneration offered.

After some further remarks on the subject it was decided on the motion of Mr Renshaw " That the House Committee be instructed to receive any charges, that ample opportunity be .afforded for this purpose, that inquiry be made, and reported on at next meeting."

The tender of Messrs Mears was accepted for the ensuing six months at the following rates: —Tea Is Bd, coffee Is 6d, cocoa Is 6d, sugar 4fd, salt |-d, mustard Is lid, oatmeal 4s 6d, rice S^-d, fresh butter la 6d per lb, soap 16a per cwt, washing soda 11s, potatoes 4s 6d, and eggs Is 9d per dozen.—Mr Dalziel's tender for meat was accepted—the prices being: for beef without bone 4d, roasting beef 4|d, steaks and chops 4f d, mutton 33d, do. fore-qrs. 2fd.—Messrs Rollerson's tender for bread (the only one) was accepted at 6|d the 41b loaf. Mr Hicks' tender for milk at 3d per quart was accepted, Mrs , O'Bryan's tender for washing, and Mr Twentyman's for funerals, the latter at £2 2s each.

There were two applications for the post of House Surgeon from Drs Payne and Callan. The Rev. Mr Lush pointed out the fact that while the latter attached " M.D." to his name, his qualification only stated him to be " Licentiate." Mr Mcllhone contended that the Committee should act on what was signed to the letter. The Bey. Mr Neill said that Dr Callan might be a licentiate under one authority, and yet hold another degree under another.

The voting which was by ballot, resulted in favour of Dr Payne by a majority of four—one of Dr Callan's papers being informally erased. Dr Payne is therefore re-elected.

This concluded the business.