HOSPITAL COMMITTEE.

Tuapeka Times, Volume II, Issue 90, 30 October 1869, Page 3

HOSPITAL COMMITTEE.

The usual monthly meeting of the Hospital Committee was held in the Commercial Hotel on Tuesday evening. Present : Messrs. Bastings (in the chair), Farrer, Meyer, M'Niclde, Simpson, Keen. M'Swiney, Mears, Smith, Ilarrop, Hayes, Russell, Drs. Halley and Stewart. The minutes of last meeting having been read and approved, A letter from Mr. H. C. Eichards, resigning the office of Secret try, was read. The resignation was accepted, Mr. Hayes consenting to act as Secretary pro tern. The Doctor laid his usual report before the meeting. Nine new patients have been admitted during the past month, eight of whom are non-paying. Two came from Wetherstones, one from Tuapeka Mouth, two j from the Blue Spur, one each from Switzers and Tuapeka Flat, and two from Smith's Bush. The nationalities were as follows:— English, 4; Irish. 2 ; Scotch, 1 ; Tasmanians, 2. The .report was received.

The Visiting Committee's report was next read. It stated that plans and specifications for the erection required for the reception of the new kitchenrange had been prepared, and that a supply of* bricks could be obtained. Owing to the advertisement for tenders being incomplete, it was recommended that the time for receiving tenders should be extended. The report further recommended the abandonment of the kitchen garden, as it was evident its further continuance would occasion certain loss to the Hospital. The report was received and adopted, and the plans and specifications laid on the table. Mr. Mears objected to the plans and specifications, objecting that the former were erroneous, and that the latter were illegible and unintelligible. Mr. M'Swiney stated that, although his handwriting might he careless, he had never before heard it objected to as absolutely illegible. He had had a jrreat deal of experience in work of the kind, and had done his best to draw up proper specifications. Dr. Halley said ifc was too bad to expect Mr. M'Swiney to supply the objectors with intelligence. Mr. MacSwinoy's well-known skill in such matters was a sufficient guarantee for the correctness of the specifications. Mr. Mears wished some one to read the specification for the information of the meeting. Mr, Keen volunteered his services. He did not appear to find the writing in tNe least puzzling. After a long dis< v ;sion, chiefly of a technical nature, Mr. Keen moved the adoption of the plan and specification, suggesting that persons who had any difficulty in understanding them should bo referred to Mr. M'Swiney. Mr. Farrer seconded. Mr. Mears pointed out that the plan was erroneous in one part, and calculated to mislead the tenderers. He moved, as an amendment, "That fresh plan and specification be drawn up. Mr. Harrow seconded. On a division, the amendment was carried by a majority of one. Mr. Mears then offered his services to prepare plan and specifications, without making any charge. Dr. Halley commented with equal justice and severity on the extreme bad taste displayed in this proposal. Finally, Mr. M'Swiney consented to act on a committee, the other members being Messrs, Meyer, Russell, and Mears, appointed in order to draw up the necessary documents. Mr. ITarrop moved the appointment of Mr. Hayes as acting-secretary for the remainder of the year, Mr. Simpson seconded. Carried. Mr. Keen moved that the gardener receive a month's notice. Mr. Simpson seconded. Carried. The mooting then adjourned.