TUAPEKA HOSPITAL.

Tuapeka Times, Volume VI, Issue 266, 6 March 1873, Page 5

TUAPEKA HOSPITAL.

, ...I. t The Committee of the above Institution held its second monthly meeting on Friday evening last. Present — Messrs Harrop (in the chair), Armstrong, Hill, Walker, Hills, Ferguson.. Hayes, and. Dr. Halley. The Resident Surgeon was also present. The minutes of previous ! general and special meetings, were read and confirmed. The Secretary read the outward correspondence, which consisted of a letter to the Government, to Mrs. Smith, and to Mr. Jas. Harris, The Visiting Committee's report for two months was read, and the suggestions oontained therein adopted^ The Secretary was instructed to again write to the Government, with reference to the sub-* sidy due. Complaints were made by the Resident Surgeon with regard 1 to the bread supplied to the Hospital by Mr. Harris, and the Visiting- Committee were requested to call upon Mr. Harris respecting the matter. The applications for wards-man and matron, were then considered. Mr. Ferguson expressed surprise* at the manner in which the applications had been called. He knew nothing of it until his attention was called to an advertisement in the " Daily Times." The Committee were not made aware of the matter. He. remarked that the late Committee had recorded their opinion very strongly, that a wardsman and matron could do all the work in connexion with the Hospital, and he would move that the parties appointed from the applicants be informed that their duties would embrace ail the work to be done in the institution. Mr. Hills seconded the motion. Mr. Armstrong thought that two persons could not overtake the work of the institution, and would move as an amendment that the ' services of the present cook be retained, and that a wardsman and matron be appointed as heretofore. Mr. Walker seconded the amendment, and at his suggestion the words " to be engaged as general servants " were added. Mr. Ferguson, in reply, regretted that such an amendment should have been proposed, as it was altogether contrary to the wishes of the late Committee, whose object was to carry on the work of the institution as economically as possible. Besides, he stated, the recommendation at the time was backed up by both the Resident and Honorary Surgeons. He remarked that, for some time past, the three servants in the hospital having, he supposed, so little to do, and not knowing whose duty it was to do it, were constantly clashing with each other. He would far rather pay a man and his wife £150 a year than divide £175 amongst three persons to do the work of two, as had been the case. The amendment on being put was carried. The voting was as follows :—: — For, Armstrong, Walker, Hayes, Halley, and Jeffery ; against, Ferguson, Hills, and Hill. The applications, which were then opened, were as follows : — Joseph Bell, Lawrence ; J. Nicholson and wife, Dune din ; Geo. Daniels and wife, Dunedin : P. M'Gammon and wife, Dunedin ; Honora Reilly, ; Peter Mack ay and wife, Invercargill. Mr. Jeffery proposed that the application of" Mr. Daniels and wife be accepted. Mr. Hill seconded the motion. Mr. Hills said, as a matter of form, he would propose as an amendment, that the application of Mr, M 'Gammon and wife be accepted. He did not know the people, neither was he aware if they had any family. Dr. Halley seconded the amendment. On being put, there were for ,the amendment 2, for the motion 3. Mr. Daniels was therefore declared elected. Dr. Stewart said that he wished it to be publicly recorded that he , objected to children, great or small, being located in the Hospital', as they interfered with the medical treatment of the patients. * Mr. Walker quite concurred with the Surgeon. Mr. Hills remarked that Daniel's child was 7 years of age, and was more likely to be an assistance than a. drawback to him. Mr. Hill moved t " That the salary for wardsman and matron^ be £100."' Mr. Armstrong- seconded the motion. Carried. Mr. Armstrong was appointed" member of Visiting Committee, vifce- Mr. Ferguson who retired. Tljq. T^ea^urQr intj.mii.ttd. that hg, hjid.

received the sum of £22 10s. collected by Mr. 'Pyke for the Hospital Race. Dr. Halley moved: " That a vote of thanks to Mr. Robert Reay be recorded for allowing his horse to run in the Hospital Race." Mr Armstrong moved : " That the subscriptions to the Hospital, received during the month, be advertised each month." Mr. Jeffery seconded. Carried. Mr. Hill moved : '* That the President, Treasurer, Mr. Armstrong, and Secretary, be appointed a sub-committee to revise the rules of the institution, and' that they report, their proceedings at a future meeting." A vote of thanks to the Chairman concluded the business of the meeting.