MEETING- OF HOSPITAL COMMITTEE.

Tuapeka Times, Volume II, Issue 60, 3 April 1869, Page 3

MEETING- OF HOSPITAL COMMITTEE.

The usual monthly meeting of the Hospital Committee was held in the surgeon's residence, Lawrence, on the 30th ult. Present — Messrs. M'Nickle,

Mears, Keen, Henderson, Simpson, Harrop, Farrer, Hayes, Mcßeath, r Smith, Russell, Meyers, Bastings (President), Eichards (Secretary), and Dr. Halley. Messrs. McSwiney and Me Luskey entered some time after the business had commenced. Mr. Bastings, the President of the institution, occupied the chair. The minutes of previous meeting having been read and approved, a report from the Visiting Committee was read, which recommended that the tender of Mr. McNeil for the required improvements of the female ward, being lowest, should be accepted. The amount of the tender was £68 12s. 6d. It further recommended that the footpaths, &c, in the grounds should be freshly gravelled, which, according to the report, would greatly enhance the value of the institution ; also that a fender should be provided for the female ward, and that the piles and props of the building should be inspected. Mr. Simpson, in reference to the gravelling, remarked that it was satisfactory to know that property could be so easU^^^nhanced in value.' (Laughter.) was, however, receivea anxTOdopted. Mr. Mears moved, and Mr. Eussell seconded, " that the doctor should give or receive three months notice before terminating his engagement with the Hospital. Mr. Smith moved as an amendment " that the doctor should be allowed to go when he pleased." The amendment finding no seconder, the motion was carried.

An account from Messrs. Aimers and Walker, who erected the meat safe, new gates, &c, was submitted to the Committee. The amount was £1 6d., being 10s. 6d. paid to Mr. Keen for writing a letter in reference to payment of an order on the treasurer, and 10s. for loss of time in hunting after the money. Mr. Smith thought the men were liardly dealt with and should be paid. In reply to Dr. Halley, the Treasurer stated that he had received no letter, but the circumstances alluded -to were — A large order had been presented to him for payment : an order co much larger than there was any reason to expect from the amount of -work done, that he told Mr. Aimers he could not pay it then, but would consult some members of the Committee before doing so. He went to Mr. Harrop, one of the Visiting Committee, who said he knew nothing about" it, so he did not consider him,self justified in paying it unless a majority of the Committee signified their approval. He thought the charge exorbitant, and upon asking persons qualified to judge was confirmed in his opinion that there was an overcharge <of at least £20. . . . Mr. Eussell asked Mr. Farrer if he liad paid when 12 J or. 14 members of Committee signed the order. , Mr. Farrer said there never was that number. Mr. Eussell thought it was the duty of the treasurer to pay .all properly vouched orders, unless it was part of his duty to act as assessor. Mr. Smith said in that case the lospital might be robbed with impunity. He thought a great overcharge had been made ; indeed, Mr. Mackney had stated to him £35 would be a fair price for the work. Dr. Halley said that in. order to shorten a discussion raised, not for the sake of the hospital but on account of personal feeling, he would move that the account be not paid. Mr. Smith seconded. Mr. Eussell moved "that the account be paid." Mr,Jfears seconded, stating that the WOT?p»l been done in an efficient manner, and by direction of the committee. Mr. Aimers having completed the work got an order for his

account, duly signed by the President and two members of the Visiting Committee as required by the 24th rule. This being a legal order, the treasurer had no right to refuse payment. Still he did refuse, stating he would not give a cheque for the amount until Mr. Aimers got the order signed by a majority of the Committee, and even when this was done persisted in his refusal.

Dr. Halley asked what on earth all this had to do with the account before the meeting. Mr. Mears said he was stating the circumstances : in short, said he, the cheque was not paid until a lawyer's letter was sent. *

Mr, Keen: There was no letter sent. Mr. Mears : At any rate until legal proceedings were threatened. Dr. Halley thought the charge made in the account before the Committee preposterous. He never was able to collect a pound himself without spending a shilling of it, but this ceuld hardly be charged to the debtor. Some further conversation followed, but in the end the account was disallowed only, Messrs, Mears, Henderson, and Eussell voting for the amendment. A motion of Mr. Mears, that the voting should be by ballot, was lost by a large majority. Mr. Mears moved, and Mr. Farrer seconded, "That in future all works over £20 be tendered for," Carried.

Dr. Halley said as winter was coming on, it would be advisable to change the place of meeting from the surgeon.'s residence to the Commercial Assembly Eooms if it could be obtained gratuitously. Mr. Mears seconded.

Mr. Smith opposed the motion. He said the addition to the surgeon's house was made with the understanding the meetings should be held' there. He was strongly opposed to meeting in a public-house, where the chances were the dice would be introduced, a thing *he objected to, as he liked to take care of his money. The motion was carried, and Mr. Bastings expressed his willingness to give the use of his room gratuitously: Mr. Henderson retired from the Visiting Committee, and Mr. Griffen was appointed in his stead.

The following tenders were then opened: — Milk — Eobertson, 5d per quart; McAlpin, 3d (accepted). Lignite — Liston, 17s per ton; Overend, 16s Gd (accepted). Wood — Boberte, £2 lls per load ; Overend, £2 lls ; Geevce. £2 15s; J. and W. Smith, £2* 9s 9d (accepted). Interment — McNeil, £3 2s 6d; Mears, £2 10a (accepted). Meat — Smith: Beef with bone, 3d per lb., beef without bone, 4d, mutton all round, 4d, shina gratia ; Lyng : Beef with bone, 2d, beef without bone, 4d, mutton all round, 3*d, all good weight (accepted). Bread — Harris, B|d per 41b loaf (accepted). For groceries there were two tenders, one from Herbert and Co., the other from Mr. M'Nickle. The latter was accepted, Mr. M'Nickle having the superiority in the five leading articles. There being no other business the Committee adjourned.