DISTRICT OF WAIKATO HOSPITAL AND CHARITABLE AID BOARD.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 3064, 5 March 1892, Page 2

DISTRICT OF WAIKATO HOSPITAL AND CHARITABLE AID BOARD.

Thk usual meeting of the above Board was held in the Council Chambers, Hamilton, yesterday. There were present; Messrs Primrose (chairman), Seddon, McGuirk, Salmon, Herries, Bond, Lang, Anderson, Coates and Chenme.ll.

Maxwell's Case.—A long letter wan received from Mrs Maxwell, protesting against having to provide for her husband, and asking for 2s per week for him. Mr Wallis also wrote, stating that it was not fair for the wife to provide for the husband, who had proved himself an idle, useless fellow.—The Board decided to adhern to their former resolution not w grant him any relief. Secretary's Report. — The secretary, in his monthly report, stated that there were 23 recipients of charitable aid, and 13 inmates in the refuge. Finance : To bank credit balance £040, Hospital fees receivable £30, total £070, less accounts passed for payment £180 18s 6d. leaving an available balance of £489 Is 6d.— The report was received and adopted. Estimates.—The following report of the special meeting of the Finance Committee waa presented :—The committee having carefully considered the expenditure for the current year are unanimously agreed that the sum required for the ordinary expenditure for the year 1892-3 will be £3078, from which must be deducted £209 Is Gd, being the estimated credit balance on the 31at March and Hospital fees and endowment rente receivable for the ensuing year, leaving the total amount £2808 18s Cd. The following are the items:—Legal oxpenses, £20 ; salaries and wages, £950 ; travelling expenses (members), £80; repairs, &c, £40 ; office, £20 ; chant ible aid, ±.400; rent, £13 j printing and advertising, £20 ; ratas, £5 ; Industrial Schools, £160 ; drugs, &c, £150; bedding and clothing, £50 ; surgical requisites, £80 ; furniture, £90 ; provisions and groceries, £200 ; interments, £20 ; milk, £60; 'bus hire and cartage, £10 ; washing and scrubbing, £80 ; water supply, £40 : fuel and light, £150 ; fencing, &c, £20 • wines and spirits, £30 ; meat £120 ; insurance. £20 ; refuge, £250 : total. £3078. To bank credit balance, £640 ; Hospital fees roceiveahle, about £40 ; Hospital fees £1892.3, £150 j endowment rents, £25 - £555 ; less due on new building*, £250 ; ernenditure for February, 1892, £180 18s Gd; expenditure for March, £215-£645 18a 6d, leaving a difference of £209 Is 6d ; supplementary: Doctor's residence, £400 ; additions to Refuge, £100. Total, £3368 18s 6d.—ln discussing the items, Mr McGnirk said £400 wa« a large amount for charitable aid, and if it continued as at present, they could not tell what it would grow to in ten years. He considered the Board was too liberal in granting lelief. One contributing he said, had more than its share in charitable aid.—Mr Chepmell, representing the largest contributing body, said that in paying out relief they ehonld not consider where the money was raised.—Mr Lang said the only way to keep down the expense was only to grant relief in extreme cases. — The Chairman said he was very glad this discussion had come up as many people considered too much money was being spent on the Hospital, whereas out of the £1300 raised locally last year more than half was spent outside of Hospital management. With regard to the distribution of charitable aid last year he said the amounts paid in the various districts were approximately : — Hamilton, £3 ; Cambridge. £58; Waipa, £57 4s; Piako, £46 16s ; Waikato, £610 a; Raglan, £610s. The estimates were based on the assumption that the £1 for £1 subsidy would be continued.—Mr Coates said many farmers who were ratepayers complained that the contract for supples specified factory butter, whereas equally good butter could be obtained from farmers at a less cost.—Mr McGnirk spoke in the same strain.—After some further discussion, Mr Ooate3 moved that the estimate* amounting to £2868 18s 6d be adopted.—Seconded by Mr Anderson and carriod.—ln consideration of the number of patients the committee suggested that £400 be placed on the estimates for a doctor , * residence at the Hospital and £100 for an addition to the refuge.—Mr Coates said there were inmates in the refuge who had no right there, as he took it the refuge was for the aged and infirm, who were unable to earn tti3ir own living.—Mr Lang said the present arrangement with the doctor was not satisfactory, Dr. Ivennysaid some years ago that ho couid not do justice to the Hospital and his private practice. The number of patients in the Hospital has increased and they are not to think that the doctor's private practice had fallen off, therefore he considered that it was more necessary that they should have a doctoi solely for the Hospital.—Mr Anderson did not agree with Mr Lang. The residence was to cost £400, and if they hid a doctor eolely for the Hospital they would have to increase the salary £100 per nnnum, which he did not think was necessary, as the present management was perfectly satis, factory.—Mr Coates opposed building the doctor's residence. That was only the firsl expense, then there would be a watei supply, insurance, and furniture to provide for. Hβ did not agree with the cry that tr erect the house would only cost £200. The other £200 was coming frori the Government and as people of New Zealand they should conserve the public money as well as their own. He movec that the sum of £400 be not placed on th( estimates.—Seconded by Mr McGuirk.On the motion being put, the voting wasFor: Messrs Coates, McGuirk, Seddon Anderson, Bond, Herries and Chepmell Against: Messrs Lang, Primrose ant Salmon. The motion was declared carried —Mr Seddon moved that £100 be placed or the estimates for addition to the refuge.Seconded by Mr Salmon.—Mr Coates op posed this speaking in the same strain ai above.—Mr McGuirk said that if extri accommodation were supplied it would soot be taken up. Fanners did not live as wel as the inmates in the refuge. On Mr Sed don's motion being put, the voting wasFor : Messrs Seddon, Salmon, Primrose Chepmell, Herries and Lang. Against Messrs Coates, Anderson and McGuirk.The motion was carried. Doctor's Rkport.—The doctor's repor was received and adopted. Resident Medical Officer.—Mr Lam gave notice of motion that he would mov at next meeting that applications for : resident medical officer far the hospital b advertised for. Supplies.— The House Committee wa authorised to call for and accept tenders fo the annual supplies. Relief.—The relief was ordered to b continued for the next month, with the ex ception of Johnson, as below. Johnson.—Mr Bond said that he, ii company with Archdeacon Willis, visitei Mrs Johnson, and found her in a pitifu condition, being in a filthy state. A womai was sent to look after her, but Johnsoi had hunted her with a pitch-fork. H moved that Johnson be admitted to th refuge and Mrs Johnson allowed 7s 6d pe week. If this were done, he said he kne\ some neighbours would look after Mr Johnson. —The Chairman seconded th motion, which was carried. This was all the business.