Thames Goldfield's Hospital.

Thames Star, Volume XI, Issue 3622, 5 August 1880, Page 2

Thames Goldfield's Hospital.

The usual monthly meeting of the Committee was held yesterday afternoon at the Salutation Hotel. Present—The Eev. E. Lgishley (in the Chair), the fievs. V. *Lush, and Father O'BeiDy, Messrs Hume, McCulloiigb, Benshaw, Frater,Mcllhone, A. Price, Mulligan, Comer, McGowan, Mennie and SLhier. MINUTES. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. TBEASUBEB's BEPOBT. The report of the hon. Treasurer was read as follows:—" Balance forward, £162 12a 4d; subscriptions, &c, £12 10s; patients' charges, £5 6s 6d; garden account, £7 0s lOd; old men's labor ss. Expenditure : Salaries, £66; maintenance, £48 17s 3d; drugs, Ac, £5 Is 0d; furnitare, £214s 3d; medical comforts, £3 6s; printing, &c, £3 3s 6d; bedding, £2 15s 6d; clothing, 18s 3d; commission, 8s 9d; insurance, £3; bank overdraft (repaid), £37 12s 9d; cash balance, 12s 4d; balance in bank, £13 3s 2d. Assets: Bank balance, £13 3s 2d; cash balance, 12s 4d; Government subsidies due, £63 4s 7d. .Liabilities: Salaries, £57 2s; general accounts, £57 8s 5d."

The report was adopted. HOUSE COMMITTEE BEPOBT.

The report of the House Committee was read. It drew attention to the fact that there were no dental instruments in the Hospital, and recommended that a set be procured at a cest of £7 10s. The Home Surgeon wished to know if delirium tremens patients should be admitted, except at special rates, and accompanied by an attendant. The concluding portion of the report referred to the oases reported by Mr Mcllhone, by which Dr Payne was accused of sending his club patients to the Hospital. The Committee found that in the cases referred to the doctor was not to blame.

The report was received on the motion of Mr McCullougb. Mr McCullough asked how the Hospital now came to a want of dental instruments.

The Chairman said this arose from a resolution passed at last meeting prohibit* ing Mr Aitken from extracting teeth. A long discussion ensued on the past action of the Committee, after which Mr Renshaw moved and Mr Frater seconded that the instruments be procured. Mr McCullough moved and Mr McGowan seconded that the matter stand over for the present. The amendment was carried. With reference to the clause re the delerium tremens' patientsMr Frater said that there was no proper accommodation for patients of this class in the Hospital, and they were a rery serious expense to the institution for additional attendance. He instanced a case of a patient striking Mr Aitken on the face, the result of which was erysipelas. On the motion of Mr McCullough it was resolved to leave a discretionary power in the hands of the House Surgeon as to the admission of such patients, the charges to be made, &c.

Mr Mcllhone' said that part of the report did not represent the true facts of the cases referred to in his letter to the committee. In neither of the cases was a subscriber's ticket procured, and rule 10 was thus broken. Dr Payne was paid for attending these club patients, and he found it would be more convenient for him to attend them at the hospital than in going up to Block 27 or the Waiotahi Creek or such places. . . j Mr Comer said ihey were not present to criticise the doctor or auyone else. They must either believe the report of the committee or not. Mr Mcllhone said that the report was made to shield the doctor. . Mr Frater objected to Mr Mcllhone imputing motives to the committee. The Rew. Mr Lilsh said that Dr Payne came' to him for a ticket the morning after admitting the patient, but he had not one by him. Mr Frater said that Dr Payne got the ticket eight days after the admission of of the patient, from Mr Sadford. Mr McGowan and Mr Mennie agreed with Mr Mcllhone that there was something wrong in the manner such patients were admitted. Mr Comer thought this discussion j would do harm to tbe institution. Mr Mcllhone proposed that the report was unsatisfactory, out it failed to find a seconder, and the report was adopted. HOUSE STTHGBON's BBPORT. The report of the House Surgeon was read and adopted. APOLOGIES. Apologies for absence were received from the Rev. S. J. Neill and Messrs Kadford, Murray, and Marshall. NOTICE OF MOTION: Mr McCullough gave notice that at next meeting the committee consider the advisability of rescinding the resolution re the prohibition of Mr Aitken acting as i a dentist. APPLICATION. The application of the cook for an increase of wages from 25s to 30s per week was refused. HOSPITAL MAINTENANCE. Correspondence was read from the Colonial Secretary re the management of the Hospital, and enclosed were copies of letters sent by the Mayor, and a reply to

it, together with a letter addressed to Mr Kenrick, in which after tlmuking the Resident Magistrate for his report upon the Hospital the following occurs:—The Government have no desire to interfere with the control and management of institutions which appear to have been so admirably conducted ia the immediate past; nor will they interfere with the finances of those institutions if it be possible by any means to avoid such interference. Jf, then, the existing Com* mittee feel themselves able to continue as at present to carry on without any assistance from tfee Government beyond the £1 for £1 hitherto paid to them, so much the better —matters will remain as they are. If on the other hand the Committee are compelled to come to Government for further aid, pending the issue of the bill now before Parliament to provide for the whole question of charitable institutions, the Government will be willing to supple* ment their funds, but only to an extent sufficient for absolute need; and ia that case it wil become necessary to add your name to the Committee to protect the interests of the Government, and to represent its views.

After some discussion Mr Hume moved that the Chairman, Eev. Mr Luishler, the Treasurer, and Secretary see Mr Kenrick, and act on the instructions of the Government. HOUSE COMMITTEE. Messrs Eenshaw, Eadford, Frater, and Hudson were appointed House Committee for the ensuing month. This concluded the business.