WAIKATO HOSPITAL BOARD.

Waikato Argus, Volume IV, Issue 303, 18 June 1898, Page 3

WAIKATO HOSPITAL BOARD.

The usual monthly meeting of the Waikato Hospital and Charitable Aid Board was held at the Council Chambers, Hamilton, on Thursday last. There were present:—His Worship the Mayor (Mr W. Doy, chairman), and Messrs W. C. Ring, Ed. Allen, S. Steele, R. J. McGuirk, J. B. Teasdale, F. J. Vickcrs, W. H. Thomas, A. Primrose, A. Furze, J. P. Bailey and W. P. Chepmell. Additions to the Aid List.—Mr A. Bach wrote stating that he had allowed Mrs Davis and Mr Lamb, of Cambridge, 3s 6d and 5s respectively. He reported that an old man named Mitchell, over 70 years of age, who had been living witli the Maoris at Tamahere, was very ill and unable to leave his whare. The old man was destitute, and should be taken care of.—The Secretary reported that the man Mitchell had heen received into the hospital.—The-action of Mr Bach and the Secretary was endorsed, and the Board agreed to place Mitchell in the Refuge as soon as he has recovered sufficiently. The Weeks' Case.—Conscable White, ot Huntly, reported fully on the Weeks' case as requested, and the Board reluctantly decided to continue the relief. Calderwood's Child.—The Secretary of the Orphan Home, Auckland, wrote regardingthe buy Calderwood, who wassent down a few weeks ago. He pointed out that the Home was supported by voluntory contributions, and that the amouut paid for the boy Calderwood, did not cover the cost of his maintenance.—The Chairman said the Board had no desire, nor wa3 it reasonable to expect that the Home should keep children at less than cost. He proposed that the amount should be raised to £ls.—Mr Thomas seconded the motioD, which was carried unanimously. Thk Nursing Stake.—The following applications were received for appointment on the nursing staff at the Waikato Hospital : Probationer nurses : Misses Isabel McKcnzie and Clare O'flalloran. Trained nurse : Misses G. L. Turnbull, E. A. Smith, J. Brown (Auckland), Ann Hunt (Wellington). —On the recommendation of Dr. Kenny, the Board decided to appoint Miss Hunt, of Wellington. Notice op Motion. —ln accordance with notice of motion given at last meeting, the Chairman moved : That a revised list of rules and regulations governing the appointment and training of nurses to the Waikato Hospital be adopted by the Board. The new rules provide for the proper training of probationer nurses, delivery of a course of lectures by the doctor, and an annual examination for the nurses. In speaking in support of his motion, the Chairman thought this would place the staff upon a much more satisfactory footing.—Mr McGuirk seconded. Mr Chepmell thought the rules should be submitted to Dr. Kenny for his opinion. It was not fair to ask him to undertake the lectures, etc., and he did not think the thing would work. He moved an amendment that the rules should bo submitted to the doctor ior his opinion.—Mr Allen said that when Dr. McGregor last inspected the Hospital, he said there was no necessity for a resident surgeon at all, provided that they had trained nurses and that a medical man attended two or three hours a day. It this was so he thought the doctor had plenty of time to train the nurses, give lectures, etc. Mr Bailey said he should vote agaiust the amendment, as they had never had any system for the training of nurses. He thought it was only fair and just that probationer nurses should have an opportunity of passing their examination. He believed the doctor had plenty of time to give lectures, and if he could not do so they should not take the girls on.— Mr Teasdale considered that tht doctor had plenty ol time to give the necessary instruction. —Mr Furze spoke in favour of the examinations being held regularly. He thought all the trouble with the nurses had been due to the want of a system of regular examination.—Mr Dey also supported regular examination.". He did not think it would be any hardship for the doctor to give lectures, which could be arranged for times when he was not busy.—On being put the amendment was lost, only Messrs Chep moll, Ring and Primrose supporting it, all the other members beinu against. Tho voting for the motion was vice versa and it was therefore declared carried.

Doctor's Report.—The report of the surgeon - superintendent, showing the number of patients in the institution to be 16 males and 7 females, was read and adopted. Accounts.—The following were the accounts passed :—A. E. Manning, £lO 10s: J. Knox, £42 Is Id ; T. Qualtrough, £l6 12s 4d ; E. J. Davey, £7 2s 9d ; J. 1). Melville, £8 6s 4d ; J. Ridler, £9 ss; Dr. Waddington, £3 3s ; T. \V. Maunder, £ls Is ; Mrs Hayes, £5 ; T. Keep, £1 9s ; Parr Bros., 15s (id ; D. Salmon, £2 7s 3d ; Wm. Taylor, £1 9s 9d ; Waikato Argus, £2 15s ; Waikato Times, £1 17s 6d ; Star, 12s Od ; Herald, 12s 6d; Kennard, £2 8s ; A. Swarbrick, £8 4s 2d ; charitable aid (fares, etc.), £3 9s 2d ; Sandes and Co., £1 9s ; Pearson, £1 16s ; LeQuesue, 10s; salaries, £7B 2s 4d ; travelling expenses, £45 ; charitable aid, £22. Finance.—-The Clerk read the following statement due from contributing bodies : Piako County Council. £4OO ; Waikato County Council, £313 2a 6d ; Raglan County Council, £150; Waipa County Council, £346 5s ; Hamilton Borough Council, £64 ; Cambridge Borough Council, £63 5s ; subsidy, £1387 Pis 6d ; total, £2724 ss. Balance, £2724 5s ; Hospital fees, say £3OO ; rents, £SO ; cash in bank, £147 Ms—Total, £3221 16s —Less accounts to pay, £292—Total, £2929 16s.