DISTRICT OF WAIKATO HOSPITAL AND CHARITABLE AID BOARD.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXVII, Issue 3013, 5 November 1891, Page 2

DISTRICT OF WAIKATO HOSPITAL AND CHARITABLE AID BOARD.

Tub usual monthly meeting of tho above board was held yesterday, at the Borough Council Chambers, Hamilton, at 11 a.m. There were present: Messrs Primrose, chairman, Anderson, Se ldon, McUnirk, Ter.sdalo, Browne, Clements, Heauey, Coates, Mcl'herson, and Chupmell.

Rkmit.—Krank ftlclock wrote stating that his brother is not in a (it state to do any work, and will not be able to pay the balance due by him. He would, hownvcr, try to [lay something f.ir his brother, if tho Board would reduce the amount. The total amount duo was ±!H lb's, of which €•") was paid ind the amount was reduced to 17 Is if it is paid in one month.

Attempts!.) Imposition.—Mr Lennox wrote enclosing a very pathetic letter ho had received from Eliza Kiaimius, of Kangiaohia, applying for food. The matter was referred to the police, and Constable Jones who enquired into the case, con eluded his report as follows:— '■ Miss Kiiiimins has not the shadow of a claim for charitable aid, and I consider her action in this matter most, blamahle as she has only to accept her brother-in-law's very reasonable request to live elsewhere, and he will provide for her." In the face of this report it was decided that tho case was not a deserving one.

Wilson'.—The Secretary of tho Auckland Board wrote statiug that Richard Wilson had been admitted to the Aucklaud Hospital as an urgent case. Wilson had been employed at Matamata for 12 months whore his wife and family still reside. The chairman said that Wilson had been in tho Waikato Hospital for about five weeks. When he left Dr. Kenny recommended him to consult Dr Haines, but instead of this he had gone to the Auckland Hospisal. The question now was whether theyshould have him back or pay for his treatment in Auckland at 4s per day. Tho matter was left in the hands of the house committee.

Kkkcoe.—Mr Hoaney made an application on behalf of an old man named Bartley Reehel for temporary admission to the Refuge. Reehel was 71. years of ace, and had been at Te Aroha for the last aloven years. Tlnce years ago he was caught by a tailing tree, and was under it for five days and five nights before being extricated, and he then sustained some injury to his spine. Keehel was a member of the 58th Regiment and as such was entitled to n pension, for which he was making application.—lt was decided to admit Reehel to the Refuge under the •uperintendence of Dr. Kenny. Sbcrktauy's Rkpout.— In his monthly report tho secretary stated that there were 24 persons receiving charitable aid, and eleven inmates in the Refuse. Finance: To bank credit. Balance, £1815 12s Id ; Hospital fees receivable, about £40 ; endowment rents, about £20—£1875 12s 4d ; less accounts passed for payment, £147 Ids lid, leaving an available balance of £1727 15s ."id. Since last meeting the following fttmounts were paid into the bank:—Hospital fees, £2S 7s Od ; maintenance fees, £11 5s 8d; endowment rent, £1 lis; voluntary contribution, Mr W. Thornton, £1 Is ; sundries, £2 2s. A vote of thanks was accorded to Mr Thornton for his donation.—The report was adopted. Doctor's Rkpout.—Dr. Kenny's monthly report was received. Rkmkf.—The usual cha.-itable aid was ordered to bo continued until next meeting.

FIT/il'ATKlt'K AtiAlN. —Mr Anderson said that on Saturday last Fitzpatrick had asked him to get him into the hospital in order to have an operation performed. He told him he could do uothing in the matter, and referred Fitzpatrick to Mr Oloments, the member for Cambridge. — Mr Clements said the man had come to him frequently applying to bo re-admitted into the hospital. Fitzpatrick had said that in a Christian country a horse would not be allowed to go about in the state lie was in. There could bo no doubt that he was in a very bad state.—Mr Heaney said, in the face of Fitzpatriek's former behaviour, he did not see how they could admit him, and he moved that tiie board employ a doctor in Cambridge to perform the operation ou Fitzpatrick.—This was seconded by Mr Serldon, who said that the operation Fitzpatrick now asked for was the reason of his going out of the hospital, as he would not submit to the operation.—Mr Teasdale .said that if the board treat Fitzpatrick at all, they must do so in the hospital, where there is every appliance necessary, or else send him to Auckland.—Mr Clements agreed with Mr Teasdale's remarks—that Fitzpatrick should bo re-admitted to allow of the operation being performed.—Capt. McPherson said he looked at this matter in a different light. Fitzpatrick had prosily insulted the doctor, and had not retracted one bit. If he had been worth powder and shot he would have been proceeded against for libel. Before the board does anything in the case, he thought Fitzpatrick should be made to withdraw the language he had made use of with regard to Dr. Kenny and the nurses. He would support Mr Heaney's motion.—Mr Ohepir.el! said he was very doubtful in this matter. It was a case, he thought, for treatment in the hospital. If Fitzpatrick would agree to conduct himself properly and conform to the rules of the institution, he should be re-admitted to the hospital and treated by the stalf. No notice should be taken of his previous action. He thought that having him treated at Cambridge might prove very expensive.—Mr Clements said he thought Fitzpasrick had been punished for his past faults. Ho now asked for an operation, and were they as a public body in a position to refuso it.—Mr Lung said Fitzpatrick must be treated by their own doctor, or olse not at all under the board.—Mr Teasdale then moved an amendment on Mr Heaney's motion, that if anything is done with Fitzpatrick, he be treated at this hospital.—Seconded by Mr Clements.—On the amendment being put, the voting was equal, and the chairman giving his casting vote against ii, it was lost. The division was— For: Messrs Teasdale, Clements, Lang, Chepmell, McGnirk and Anderson. Against: The Chairman, and Messrs Seddon, McPherson, Coates, Heaney and Browne.—On the original motion being put it was also lost, the voting being :— For : Messrs Seddon, Heaney, McPherson, Browne and the Chairman. Against: Messrs Teasdale, Clements, Lang, Coates, Chepmell, McGuirk and Anderson.—This left matters as they were, when Mr Browno moved. "That any application received from Fitzpatrick for admission to the Hospital be left to the House Committee to act as they think fit.—Seconded by Mr Chepmell and carried. Retrospkcsve. — The Chairman said this was the last meeting of the presentBoard, and he thought it would not be out of place in him to make a tew remarks. They could congratulate themselves on the increasod popularity of the institution, which was shown in the increase in the ■umber of patients, which is still going on. In 1880-90, 148 patients had been treated, and in 1890-91, 174—an increase of 2G. No doubt the Hospital was becoming better known, and all the patients expressed satisfaction at the treatment received. They had got through the year well; had relieved considerable distress, and saved some lives. The death rate for the year was larger than for last vear, the numbers being: 1889-90, 7 ; 1890-91, 'J. The new Board would net require any new buildings for some time to come. Tho dining room was finished, and the addition to provide for twelve or thirteen extra beds was now in hand. They would leave with a eleau sheet, and he hoped the next Board would ba as successful in promoting the welfare of the Hospital. Yora ok Thanks.—Votes of thanks were passed to the Chairman and the House Committee for their servicos during the past year.