HOSPITAL MEETING.

Westport Times, Volume II, Issue 283, 27 June 1868, Page 2

HOSPITAL MEETING.

Tlio meeting announced for tho purposo ot' receiving the report of the Provisional Hospital Committee, was held on Tuesday a* the Court house Dr Giles in the chair. A large number of persona attended, and we regret to say that the conduct of some was by no means hi good taste, or such as might have been expected under the circumstances. The late hour at which the meeting terminated prevents our giving a full report this day, as we are anxious to give the committee's report in extenso. The chairman introduced the objects of the meetiug, in an exceeding good address, and called upon the committee to bring up their report. Mr H. E. Campbell, lion. Sec., then read the report as follows: REPORT OF THE PROVISIONAL HOSPITAL COMMITTEE. Westport, June 23. In pursuance of our appointment to enquire and report to a future meeting, the advisability of placing the Westport Hospital under the management of a Local Committee, to consider the subject generally and particularly as to a site for a new Hospital, as well as to ascertain the feelings of the inhabitants of the district whether any and what funds would be subscribed by them in furtherance of the object, wo beg to make the following report of our enquiries with reference to the subjects entrusted to us. 1. Erom information the Committee have been able to glean as to the past management of the present Hospital, they are strongly of opinion that the offer of the Government, made by Mr Kynnersley, to place the future management in the hands of a Local Committee, should be accepted as soon as possible. In forming that opinion they have been guided in some respects from an inspection of the present building used for Hospital purposes, and they find the building itself is unsuitable in all respects; they found the stretchers are fixtures to the walls inside, wholly of wood ; no sheets or pillowslips supplied. The mattresses are made of straw ; the floor-boards are wide apart admitting a con~+nnf- pnrrrmt of air throughout; only one chair in the whole establishment; no store-room until recently; the only cooking utensils were two zinc buckets, and at the present time there are only two small saucepans. There have been as many as fifteen patients in the house at one time, some lying on the table ar.d others on the floor, and only one warder, whose duties were divided between cooking and attendance on the patients. We cannot speak further as to the past, as no books or records of any description appear to have been kept. Whether the deaths have been registered or any proofs exist for the satisfaction of relatives, we cannot say. There are no means of ascertaining how many patients have been treated, the length of time that they have remained in the Hospital, or any other particulars that should be, in an institution of this nature, recorded. If books containing these items are in existence your Committee have not had aecess to them.

2. We recommend that a permanent Committee be elected by the subscribers from amongst their body, to consist of a sufficient number to insure a good attendance at their meetiugs. That the subscribers on Addison's Flat, Shamrock Lead, the Caledonian and Grerman Terraces, should be entitled to return a certain number specially for each place irrespective of those of and that a nomination day be fixed at this meeting, the election to take place at a future day, polling-places to be opened at Addison's Flat and Caledonian as well as Westport. Subscribers of 10s to be entitled to a vote at the first election ; such Committee to hold office for twelve months, at the expiration of which time a proportionate number be balloted out, eligable for re-election. THE SITE FOR ANEW BUILDING. 3. We have inspected the site of the Hospital reserve up the Buller river, and consider it inall respects objectionable, inaccessbile, and to our view unhealthy at thepresent time. The grounds of our objections arc principally the heavy expense necessarily required for clearing and draining, the time that would elapse to render it fit for occupation, if such work were undertaken. In a sanitary point of view, a large area would require to be cleared and drained the cost of which would be greatly in excess of that entailed by the erection of a suitable building elsewhere of moderate extent, and amply sufficient for present requirements. These objections appears appear to us insurmountable and further its distance from town would entail a considerable <cx-

pense in the carriage of building materials even should access bo made available, except at some uncertain future period. VV"o would recommend one of two courses should be adopted, namely, either the purchase of a building already erected, or the erection of a temporary building nearer town, combining economy with usefulness and comfort. The site for which be made a subject for application to the Government. 4. With reference to the funds already subscribed, we have the pleasing duty to report that they have exceeded our most sanguine expectations, considering the short time which has elapsed since our appointment. The course we considered most advisable was to holdpublicmeetings at Addison's Flat and Caledonian Terrace, and be guided in our future proceedings by resolutions that might be carried at those meetings. Messrs O'Conor and Goodwin were deputed by us to attend at Addisous Elat, and Messrs Munson and Brown at the Caledonian Terrace. The plan adopted at each place was to form a local committee to collect subscriptions, to act in conjunction with us, and the utmost harmony has subsisted between the several committees during their existence, each vieing with the other in furtherance of the object in view. The result of our canvass for subscribers in Westport amounts to the sum of £l5O ss. Gd. At Addison's Elat and Shamrock Lead to £lO2 3s. At Cajedonian and German Terrace to £l2O. We have also received from Mr Neil a balance remaining in his hands of unclaimed subscription originally collected for the erection of a We3leyan church amounting, to £ll lis. _The proceeds of a Theatrical performance given by the Westport Amateur .Dramatic club on last evening, amounted to, £lO. making a total of £319. 19s. 6d. 5. In the progress of our canvass for subscriptions we have been met by the statement from some residents in the town that they had already subscribed to the Hospital, and I had not been informed how that money had been expended, and consequently declined to subscribe again until they wprp in nossession of further information on the subject. Erom enquiries made by us, we have ascertained that a sum of £BS. 18s. 6d. was collected some months ago, and we think as a matter of justice to former subscribers, the committee who collected those subscriptions or their Treasurer in charge of those funds, should be asked to furnish a return stating what has become of the money placed in their hands for hospital purposes. 6. In giving an epitome of our labours, we have to state we have held six general meetings, and the members have attended each in the following proportions:—O'Conor, 6; Neil, 6 ; Cotterell, 6 ; Campbell, 6 ; Goodwin, 0; Brown, 6; Munson, 3; Keid, 1 ; Somner, 1. 7. Messrs O'Conor and Goodwin were appointed a sub-committee, to attend the public meetings at Addison's Elat. 8. Messrs Munson and Brown, for the like purpose at the Caledonian Terrace.

9. Messrs Reid and Somner, to collect subscriptions from residents of one half the town of Westport. 10. Messrs Cotterell and Neil for like purpose from the other half. 11. Messrs O'Conor, Munson and Campbell were deputed to inspect the Westport hospital buildings. " 12. Thej committee have also communicated with our representatives at Nelson, Messrs Smith and Bentley, requesting their assistance in collecting subscriptions, also to business men resident at the Upper Buller, but time has not elapsed to allow of the receipt of their replies. 13. In conclusion we beg to accord thanks to Messrs Munson and Tyrrell for their liberal offer of allowing us to advertise in the Westport Times free of charge, of which we have availed ourselves. By order of the Committee. H. E. Campbell, Hon. Sec. Westport, June 23rd 1868. The Rev. Mr Harvey moved, and Mr Eraser seconded a resolution, that the report be adopted. Carried unanimously. A long discussion arose as to what the number of the permanent Committee should be. The Rev. W. Harvey moved that one member should be returned by each district for each £2O subscribed. Mr O'Conor seconded the resolution. Mr Alcorn moved an amendment that the number be fixed at thirteen. Mr Munro seconded the amendment.

On being put to the mooting tho amendment was carried. Mr Munro moved that the members be allotted as follows :—7 for Westport, 3 for Addison's, and 3 for the Caledonian. Mr Cowley seconded the motion. Mr o'Conor moved an amendment, that the whole Committee be appointed by general election of the body of subscribers at Westport, Addison's and the Caledonian, and that a poll be taken at each of these places on the same day. The' amendment was carried by a large majority. Sir Payne moved—" That the qualification to vote should be one guinea subscription." Mr Simpson seconded the motion. Mr Alcorn moved an amendment—- " That the qualification be 10s subscription, and £1 Is for members of committee." Mr Munson seconded the amendment, which was carried. Mr Neil moved—" That the nomination day be Monday, the 29th inst., and that the polling take place the following Saturday." Carried unanimously. Mr Payne moved, and Mr Leslie seconded a motion —" That the committee be requested to retain office till the permanent committee be appointed." Carried unanimously. Mr Fraser moved, and Mr Daly seconded a vote of thanks to the Provisional Committee for their past services. Carried by acclamation. A vote of thanks was most heartily given to Dr Giles for his conduct in the chair, after which the meeting separated.