CHRISTCHURCH HOSPITAL.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XXI, Issue 1230, 3 May 1864, Page 5

CHRISTCHURCH HOSPITAL.

MKETING OF GOVKUNOKS Pursuant to advertisement, a numerously-attended meeting of the Governors of this Institution was held in the Mechanics' Institute at 3 p.m., yesterday afternoon. In the absence of the Chairman, His Honor Mr. JusticQ „Gresson was, on the motion of Mr. Wm. Thomson, called to the chair. The Chairman said lie (believed the meeting had been called for the purpose of electing certain officers, namely, a Secretary and Surgeon, together with a member of the Board of Management, in the room of Mr. CW. Bishop, who had resigned. The Board of Management had prepared their report, making certain recommendations which he was sure the meeting would be happy to hear and give their concurrence to. Mr. Ollivier said there seemed to be some misunderstanding as to whether or not they should proceed to the election of a Steward. He understood that the election of a Steward would not then take place. The Chairman said he was not in a position to state what the proposition was with regard to the election of a Steward. The Board of Management were prepared to bring up the report. Mr. liawkes having handed the report to the Chairman, it was read to the meeting as follows: — That finding that the accommodation afforded by the present building is totally inadequate for the requirements of the public, the Board of Management, after careful inquiry and deliberation, recommend the governors to apply to the Government for a sum of money sufficient to erect a new building, which shall form part of a whole, which may eventually supersede the present inconvenient structure, and also to'remodel the old building. The new building tlicy advise to be built of stone, the approximate cost being about £2,200. This will provide 37 beds. The proposed alterations in the old building will do away with 10 beds, but will provide much extended accommodation for the dispensary, board room, chapel, and operating room. These various alterations, and several minor ones, are calculated to cost about £250. Plans for these additions and alterations have been prepared by Mr. Maxwell Bury, and are now laid on the table. The Board reports the resignation of Mr. C. W. Bishop, the governors will, therefore, according to by-law 15, elect a gentleman to fill the vacancy. That the number of subscribers up to 81st of March, 1864, inclusive, is 116. Mr. Ollivier remarked that he was not about to propose an additional candidate for the office of snrgeon, but after entering the room he was asked to place upon the table the testimonials of a gentleman who had not made formal application to the Board of Management, and consequently he would like to know whether it was competent for him to do so or not. He cited the by-law bearing on the subject. Mr. F. Thompson said that as no secretary had been appointed, he did not think that Mr. Ollivier could obtain an answer to his question. It was suggested that Mr. C. W. Bishop should act as honorary secretary to the meeting, which was carried.

After considerable discussion Mr. Ollivier withdrew his question; and the report of the Board of Management was put and received. Mr. W, Thomson wished to be informed how the votes for the candidates were to be taken. If he understood the 22nd clause aright, the highest number of votes at the first polling determined the selection of a candidate who might not have the sympathy of all the Governors. If there were forty candidates for instance, a ballot should be taken until the number of candidates were reduced to two, and then the one who had the highest number of votes should be elected. Mr. Ollivier expressed a similar opinion. A very lengthened discussion followed, which resulted in the decision that the election of a candidate should be determinable at the first ballot. Mr. G-. Gordon, Mr. Wm. Montgomery, and Mr. C. W. Bishop were then appointed scrutineers. Mr. W. Thomson tiien proposed, and Mr. Slater seconded — Dr. Priiis as a candidate for the office of Surgeon. The Rev. H. Jacobs then proposed, and Dr. Barker seconded— Dr. Courtney Ned will as a candidate. A ballot was taken, which resulted in the election of Dr. Prins, by a majority of 15—the numbers being 58 and 43. Some discussion then arose as to whether or not the election of the other officers should be proceeded with ; but ultimately, Mr. Bowen moved, and Mr. Ollivier seconded— That the election of Secretary be postponed until the quarterly meeting to be held on the Ist of August next, and that the Board of Management be requested to take into their consideration what alterations, if any, shall be made in the by-laws relating to tke_offices of Secretary and House Steward. And that the present meeting be adjourned sine die with a view to the consideration of their report. The resolution was carried. Dr. Turnbull moved, and Mr. F. Thompson seconded— That it is the opinion of this meeting that the Board of Management should take into consideration the manner of expressing the thanks of the governors to Dr. Parkerson, who has retired from the office of house surgeon to the Christchurch Hospital. The resolution being put and carried, the meeting broke up.