Waimate Hospital Board.

Waimate Daily Advertiser, Volume IV, Issue 236, 31 July 1902, Page 3

Waimate Hospital Board.

The monthly meeting was held yesterday in the County Council Chambers; present—Messrs Sinclair (chair), and Lyall, Boss, Douglas, Hardie, and Dr Barclay.

The minutea of previous meeting were read and confirmed.

The surgeon's report showed that 7 males and 5 females had been admitted during the month, and 9 males and 3 females discharged, leaving 4 males and 5 females still under treatment. Two males and one female had died. The matron's report was read and approved. The Hon. W. J. Steward asked what was being dona in regard to the separate hospital.—Eeoeived. Mr F. 3. Maindonald oftered as a contribution to the hospital to keep the mill and pump in order for twelve months.—Offer accepted with thanks.

Messrs Gunn and Go., chemists, Waimate, aßked for a share of the supplying of drugs to the hospital. In reply to questions Dr Barclay described the arrangement at present existing with Mr Akhurst. It was thought that there was no need of a change meanwhile. Mr

Akiiurst had Uu.tuJ the Board not only fairly, but l.'ieraliy, when there was no competition, and there was no reason why they sh juld changj because a new man had sot up business. The muter was hald over.

Tne Clerk reported that at the Council meeting a resolution was passed urging the Board to strongly oppoce the fixing of the Makikihi river as the boundary between the two hospital districts. Mr Hardie favoured a Commission to see the point from which people went to Timaru and whence to Waimaie.

In reply to Mr Douglas the Clerk said it would mean a largely additional rate on the county ratepayers if the Makikihi were fixed as the boundary. The chairman said they were somewhat hampered by working on last year's figures. It was quite evident that Timaru had decided to lose nothing; if there was any loss Waimate should bear it. If they did not have a Commission set up they would go back to the old thing. Buildings must be put up whether Timaru agreed to it or not. But to accept their boundary would be to put them in a had position. . especially, if Hakataramea were cut off with its £94 of direct rating. They tried to get a small amount put on to give them a fund to start with, but Timaru would not agree. Mr Djuglas said the Charitable Aid Board were coming money out of Waim ite and did «not like to lose it. This year their levy was £1393, which, with the Government subsidy, made £2786. Of this Waimate got bapk £llO6 for hospital expenses and £240 for charitable aid, thus leaving Timaru £ll4O. Under these circumstaaoee he was almost inclined to support Mr Hardie's proposition to ask for a Commission. They had to scrape and fight to get even what they did. The attendance, at the hospital had increased 30 per cent during the last few months. He would move that the chairman get the figures from Timaru and work it out, so as to show the justice of Waimate's contention. The motion was carried.

The visitors for the month reported gotng over the buildings and finding everything satisfactory. They suggested one or two small improvements. It was decidod to adopt the suggestions, also to got a heating stove for •the men's ward.

Accounts amounting to £llO 5s 8d were passed.