WAIKATO DISTRICT HOSPITAL AND CHARITABLE AID BOARD.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXI, Issue 2548, 8 November 1888, Page 2

WAIKATO DISTRICT HOSPITAL AND CHARITABLE AID BOARD.

The usual monthly meeting of the above Board wan held in the Borough Council Chambers at 11 o'clock yesteiday morning. Present: Mr \V. A. Graham (in the chair), Messrs Primrose, Seddon, McDonald, Chepmell, Hally and Hunter. Dr. Kenny, MrG.T. Wilkinson, Native Agent, and Mr D. Kichardson wore also in attendance. Natives at Wiiatawhata.—After tho minutes had been confirmed -Mr I'rimrose moved that the standing orders be suspended so that the business relative to the sickness anions the natives at Whatawhata, in reference to which Mr Wilkinson was in attendance, might be discussed. The secretary reported as follows The question of making provision for the urgent cases of fever and other sickness amongst the natives resident within the " Waikato Hospital District " will have to ba settled at this meeting of the Boai'd. The Government insist that this Boarti t is the proper and best authority for administering to the relief of the sick Maoris and they acknowledge at the same time, that they ought to afford tho Board assistance in reco\ eriug the costs of such cases as the Board are called upon to attend to. In tho meantime the Committee have authorised the Secretary to look for a temporary hospital for the natives, and to order beds, mattresses and blankets for immediate requirements. Mr Wilkinson, the Government Native Agent for Waikato, has courteously tendered his services to the Board to act as interpreter whin required, and is here today to speak on behalf of the Government who have through him consented to pay one half the amount of any loss the Board may sustain 011 account of treatment of native

cases of sickness. Tho building which the Committee consider the best that is available is Crawford's cottage, Hamilton Bast, which is offered to tho Board at a rental of 3s per week, until they can make other arrangements, and the Committee recommend the Board to accept this offer. It will be necessary that all native patients should conform to the same rules mid regulations which apply to European patients in tho Hospital, and be called upon to pay the same fees ; and in order that they may loam what these are, the Committee suggest that tho Government be asked to cause the rules and regulations to be interpreted aud published in tho Kaheti (Gazette), and also that the Government Agent bo asked to make them known to any natives who may seek admission to tho Hospital, and that such natives should apply to him for an order for admittance, and sign an agreement to pay the regulation charge of 4s per diem. If this method is adopted the Committee consider there need not bo much loss to the Board provided the Government suppoit any action which the Board may take to recover such Hospital charges. The Chairman moved that the report ba received and adopted.—Seconded by Mr Vrimrose. The. seconder said he had no doubt that this Board was the proper body to take charge of the natives, but thought they should do so under protest, as the Board is not able to touch tho lands owned by natives, aud in future the local bodies _ will not be able to apply any of the rates " 1 towards their Hospital contributions ' paid by the Government on native lands, ! as all such rates have to be expended for the benefit of native lands.—Mr Wilkinson , said be was not prepared to say in what way the Board could recoup their expenses, as iie had attended the meeting solely to discuss the best steps for eradicating tho

epidemic at present, prevalent among the Waipu in Lives. On behalf of tlie Government lie had visited the settlement at the Blue Nose 011 Sunday, in company with Mr Aubin, medical officer for Waikato, and found that the reports had been greatly exaggerated. He only found six cases of fever, four of which were children, who were now convalescent, one an adult female, also convalescent, and one a man suffering from lung disease, as well as fever. This latter case was, he thought, the only one that would require admission into the Hospital. Since Sunday he had heard that two other adult natives had been attacked with the fever, and it was now for the Board to decide whether they would admit the two now eases into the Hospital «r treat them at or near their settlement. With reference to the disease, Mr Aubin had stated that the fever was not typhoid, but " dengue or dandy " fever. He did not think admitting the natives into the Hospital at Hamilton would be the means of eradicating the epidemic, as the natives had a decided objection to going into hospitals, but that was a m.itter for the natives themselves, if the Hoard were willing to admit them.—The Chairman stated that the Board could not establish a temporary hospital at lvarakariki, as they would then have to establish similar ones at every settlement where outbreaks might occur. The temporary building in Hamilton would, lie stated, be avnilab'e about next Tuesday, and woulc' accommodate five'patients, which Mr Wilkinson said he thought would be move than the Bnard-jvould be troubled with. Mr Wilkinson offered to translate the rules and regulations into Maori, keeping one copy fetalis office, Where natives applying for admission might see them, and forwarding the cither to tlie Hospital for the guidance natives while in tho institution. He nisi) offered to communicate with the Government with reference to the conveyance of the natives from Ngaruawahia to Hamilton >by rail free of charge. The motion re 1 the adoption of the renort was then put and carried. Mr Wilkinson then thanked the Beard and withdrew. —Mr Primrose moved that a letter be sent to the Colonial Secret tary, showing that the Board consider it a great hardship that the' Government has, by Act, prevented any rate being levied over native lands, and as this Board has 110 way of recovering any expenses that may be incurred, they would ask tlie Government to take the responsibility of collecting the expense from the natives. —Seconded by Mr Hally and carried.

Application fob Reduction.—Mr J. E. Butler applied for a reduction of tho fees, £10 12s, for the treatment of his son, aged 7 years, in the Waikato District Hospital. It was resolved that one-half the foes be romitted, provided the account bo paid at once, Hits Shaw.—Tivo letters were received from the Auckland Charitable Aid Board, stating that this woman with her family would not return to Hamilton, and as the children were starving, that Board had to contribute towards their maintenance, which would be charged to the Waikato Board. The Secretary was instructed to reply that this Board do riot admit any liability in the matter. Voluntary Contribution.— A hearty vote of thanks was passed to the men on the Waiteti contract for their fourth contribution of £10.

Subsidy.—The Secretary reported that the sum of £00112s 2d subsidy had been placed to the credit of the Board by the Government.

Sick Relief.—W. Mylrea, who had lately been discharged from the Hospital, applied for sick relief. Resolved that 5s per week be allowed. Retaining Feb.-—A letter was received from the Audit office demanding the full Christian and surnames of the chairman and members who voted for-the payment of £5 5s retaining fee to counsel, also the date of the vote. The secretary was instructed to fnrnish the names of the whole Board at the date of the vote.

Sroretary's Report.—The Secretary in his report which was adopted, stated that at present, charitable aid was being administered at the rate of £3 5s weekly, and that the Board was £1899 2s 3d in credit.

Payments.—The following accounts were passed for payment Salaries, £50 14s 8d ; New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Company, £31; Kohimarama School, £19; St. Mary's Convent, £9 4s; Friar and Davis, £3 ; .T. Gerrand, £5 5s Id ; Mrs Mayes, £5; Mrs Hill, £2 lis ; Mrs Mcßurney, £8 3s ; Sandes and Co., £5 17s lOd ; S. Aicken, £5 lis Id ; J. Missen, 5s ; J. HatricU, £2 7s ; Thb Waikato Times, 12s Gd; T. W. Maunder, 10s 9d ; J. T. Home, £(s 54; J. K. McDonald, £1 10s; Constable wßfcrray, 10s; J. Parr, ls9d ; S. Tucker, £lMal0d; T. Qualtrough, £2 lis 3d ; J. Knox,' £11 9s 8d; R. Dillacar, £3; Wilsou and HortorfJ lGs; T. Tebbs, £3 Us; W. Hunter, £4; W. P. Chepmell, £0; C. M. Brunskill, £1. relief, £2 10s; Mrs Hayes, £tl Is "Gd; J ' Stoupe, £250. Total, £440, 15? 4d. Fees Due.—The Secretary reported that there was £348 15s 9d due in Hospital 1 fees, lfe was instructed to furnish the members of the new Board with a list of the amounts due in their respective districts. Vote ok Thanks. —Thiß being the last meeting of tho present Boardf Mr Primrose moved a vote of thanks to Dr Kenny and the staff of the Waikato District Hospital, for the efficient manner in which they had performed thtfr various dutiesSeconded by Mr Seddun andcarriod Unanimously.—Dr Kenny briefly replied ftr tba honour done to him and his staff, in this recognition of their efforts, Tiwdeiis.—The following tenders for the supply of betiding for the fever ward were received and discussed A Scott, blankets 19s pw paif }, Fiuley'a ,

inches, Is Dd per yard; twill sheeting, 72 inches, Is 5d per yard; pillow calico, 3<i inches. OJd. J. R. E H ' lt ll c \k la " k ®t s: Nil. 1,13s lid per pair ; No. 2, Jrs; IS". 3, -Js; Vinloy's sheeting, 7'i inches wide, Is !vi per yard; do., SO inches wide. Is 10d; pillow calico, 40 inches wide, lid. All Mr Hatrick's goods were subject to a discount of 124 per cent. —N. R. Cox : Fmloy's sheeting, 72 inches wide, Is 0W per yard ; blankets 17s •Id per pair.—Jas. Missen : 1' inley s sheeting. 72 indies wido, Is 8d per yard ; Cre\wlson's calico, 3li inches wide, s> 4 d ; do., ii inches wide, 1W; blankets, No. l,.<a■ ptr nair 4 do No. 2, 25s per pair. Mr Hat rick's tender for 80 inch calico Is lOd per yard, and No. 3 blankets, 2'Js, ess 12-i per Milt, discount; and Mr Missen s tender for calico, 31. inches wide, per yard, were Day.—Mr Seddon, with the permission of the Board, withdrew his notice of motion with reference to the day »f meetings. . . .. A voto of'ilianks was accorded to the chairman for*e manner in which he had conducted th "usiness of the Board for the paat year, and tho meeting terminated.