WAIKATO HOSPITAL BOARD.

Waikato Argus, Volume II, Issue 149, 19 June 1897, Page 3

WAIKATO HOSPITAL BOARD.

TnE above Board met at the Council Chambers, Hamilton, on Thursday morning lat/t. There were present : Messrs A. Primrose (chairman), W. P. Chepmell, W. C. Ring, W. H. Hemes, S. Stee'e, Ed. Allen, Win. Uey, R. J McGnirk, H. Vickers, J. R. Teasdale, A. Furze, S. T. Seddon and N. I. Hunt. Maxwell's Case.—Mr A. H. Viekeriimnu, Government surveyor, wrote from Te Mata, recommending that old Mr Maxwell of that place shoald be admitted into the Refuge. —Mr McGuirk said he had not beard anyth : ns; of Maxwell since the Board grauted him relief ; but nevertheles he thought the old man shon'd be taken into the institution if ho wished to go in au:l moved to that effect. —Mr Teasdale seconded the motion, as he had no doubt the man was a great drag and burden upon the neighbour?.— Carried. Hospital Fees —Mr A. Swarbrick wrote leporting that he had collected £44 12s hospital fees. A number of those who were indebted to the Board had promised to pay up by monthly instalments.

Boabti's Debtors. Several applications for reductions in the amount of hospital accounts were dealt with. Extension of time was granted in a number of deserving cas's, while instructions were given to Mr Swarbrick to take legal proceedings against others. Doctor's Report.—Dr. Kenny made his usual report upon the institution and again called the attention of the Bof»rd to the necessity of erecting a lavatory and bathroom at the fever ward.—The Chairman said the thing could not be done last year, owing to the shortness of funds. All the members of the Board were aware that this was a uecessaiy work, but in framing the estimates for the yiar the matter had been overlooked. Nevertheless, something would have to be done before long. - Mr Allen thought it was strange tkat money could be found to build a stable and yet the Board could not raise the money to ca-ry out this necessary work. Why was this not attended to instead of the stable ? —The Chairman said the money for the stable was raised in an entirely different way. The rra'ter then dropped for the time being, but came up for consideration a little later on in the meeting. Nursing Stake.—ln response to a request fiom the Beard, Dr. Kenny made a report upon the nursing staff. Briefly his suggestion was that the staff should consist of a head nurse, four certificated nursis and two piobaticuers.—After a short discussion, Mr Herries moved that the consideration of the question of the nursing staff should be left to the House Committee to report at next meeting.— This was seconded by Mr McGnirk and cairied.

Relief. Temporary relief to the amount cf 5s a week was granted to Win. founders, pending inquiries into the circumstances surrounding the Edwards family, of Hanii'tcn, who were repot teil to be in ;i destitute condit : on. Fever Ward. —Mr Steele asked what was going to be dene in the matter ol the ftver wa'd, which was brought into public notice thtough the newspapers by Mr James, of Ngaruawah'a. The who'c thing was a scandal. He proposed that ht) architect should be asked to prepare p'ans Uud specifications for the erection of a bathroom and lavatory at the fever ward. He then proposed, and Mr Chepmell seconded, that tenders should te ealltd for the work, and that the House Committee should consult with Dr. Ketny as to the best means of carrying out the woik.—This wns carried. Doctor's Expeksks.—When the accounts were being passed, an item of £ls 15s charged by Dr. Waddington for the time the Hospital was under his care, provoked some discuss : on. All the members considered the charge 30s a day was reasonable, but several of them thought it waß rather rough on the Board to have to pay him as well as Dr. Kenny, when it was considered that during Dr. Kenny's absence at the Supreme Court his expenses would be paid, besides an allowance of a girnea a day or more. They thought Dr. Kenny should be asked to hand over the allowance to help to defray Dr. Waddington's charge. —The Chairman said Dr. Kenny was entitled to a three wseks' holiday every year, and he thought the holiday would now be curtailed.—Mr Soddon said this absence eertainly should not count as a holiday. Dr. Kenny was summoned to attend the Supreme Conr: and ha-1 to go. —The Chairman said of course the matter rested with the Board, but he thought it'was a petty spirit to show, and was averse to making any enquiries. —lt was dec ded to instruct the Clerk to find out the amount paid to the doctor as witness' expenses, and the matter was allowed to stand over.—The account was then passed for payment, Messrs Steele, A'len, Teasdale and Vickers dissenting. Accounts. —Tin following accounts were passed for payment : —Scegucr, Langguth and Co,, £9 6j ; A E. Manning, £l7 ISs Id; John Knox, £4l \si 6d : T. Qualtrough, £l7 10s lOd ; J. Hay, £4 13s 9d ; J. D. Melville, £1 lis (id; J. Ridler, £7 4s (id ; Mrs Hayes, £4 8s; C Harwood, £l7 18a 6d ; A. Coyle, £l9 lis 'id; J. R. E. Hatrick, £l4 lis 1.1; Dr. Waddington, £lB 18s; Telegraph Department, £1 .'is ; T. Keep, £1 17s 4d : A. Turnwald (refund), 10s ; l'arr Bros., £1 8s; Waticato AiIGUS, £3 loa Od ; Mrs Kennard, £2 81 ; L, Newton, £l ; Ward, lOfi ; Santles and Co., £1 13s 4d; fares, 17s lid; Mrs Hill, £1 Is; IS. Grant, £1 10s; Miss Dickson, £l3 15s lid ; relief, £2l ; salaries, £G6 13s 4d—total, £304 3s 2d. Finance. —The Secretary read the following statement : Amounts due from contributing bodies, £992 ; Government subsidy due, £1067; ca«h and lank, £298 17s 3d—total (less accounts to date, £304 3s id), £2053 14s Id.