HOSPITAL AND CHARITABLE AID BOARD.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 17033, 18 June 1917, Page 2

HOSPITAL AND CHARITABLE AID BOARD.

COMMITTEE REPORTS. The following aro the main features of tho "various committee reports to be presented at tho meeting- of tho Otngo Hospital and Charitablo Aid Board on Thursday night: — Tho Benevolent Committee- reports that during tho past month 43 eases for rolicf had boon dealt with, at a weekly cost of £23 6s. Casual cases for relief amounting to £86 8s 9d had been approved. During tho sumo p'eriod 10 persona had 'been admitted to, 11 discharged from, and 2 deaths had occurred at tho Otngo Benevolent Institution. At present 188 inmates remain. Authority had been granted for tho employment of a dressmaker for four weeks at tho Otago Benevolent Institution. Paysheets and accounts amounting to £1081 3s 3d had been passed -for payment. The Sanatorium Committee recommends that Mrs Orbcll, of Waikouaiti, bo recognised as a visitor to tho sanatorium. The committee also recommends that tho schomo of Mr William Lee (cooperative member)— i.e., that tho property be used principally for sheep, and tho necossary cropping as may bo required under his superintendence bo approved, the present farm labourer to be retained in the meantime, and that the stable bo removed. It is further recommended that the keeping of pigs at tho sanatorium bo continued, and the matter of improving' the styes bo loft in tho hands of Mr Loo and tho architects, with power to act, and that the walls of tho hall and passago of the administrative cottage at t.he Pleasant Valley Sanatorium shall be

lined with beaver board to a height of 7ft, and above that with a light paper. The proposals of Mr F. R. Shepherd that the engine at the sanatorium bo converted to run entirely on petrol or benzine, and, to this end. a suitable carburettor and a high tension magneto be installed in place of tho existing vapourisers and low tension magneto, aro recommended for approval, the engineer authorised to act. As soon as the plant can bo released for, say, eight or 10 days, same be thoroughly overhauled. In future a regular system of inspection of all tho electrical "work at the sanatorium be instituted and carried out by the engineer each month. In future Mr Lee will adviso the medical director of all transactions in regard to purchase and salo of produce and stooh, and the medical director will then report to the secretary.. Paysheets and accounts amounting to £351 0s Id have been passed for payment. The Hospital Committee recommends that Dr Jenkins having ceased duty on May 31, ho bo replaced by two senior students—viz., Messrs Mail and Hall being appointed acting house surgeons. When Messrs O'Sullivan and Wishart retire from acting appointments as house surgeons to prepare for their final examination, Messrs Cottrell and Watson replace them. Tho salaries for acting house surgeons to bo at tho rate of £100 pot annum, appointments to hold good during the pleasure of the board, and to be terminable by one month's notice from either side. That a modern .ironing machine—a Dec'oudun—be obtained for tho laundry at Dunedin Hospital. Inquiries are now being made as to possibilities of obtaining a machine in New Zealand or earliest date of landing same, and estimated cost, to be submitted to the board for consideration. Permission has been granted to the matron to try a new uniform for nurses, and requisition for the

necessary material has been approved. The lady members of the board have been authorised to report regarding uniforms for the nursing staff. From May 6 to June 5, 1917, six • patients have been admitted to, six discharged from, and 10 persons remain in the Fever Hospital. Pay-sheets and accounts have been passed for payment amounting to: General account, £2795; Campbell interest account, £24 10s 2d. The Finance Committee reports that the request for erection of a fever ward at the Tapanui Hospital has been held over sine die. The tender of Messrs o'Sulliva.n and Bailone for alterations to residence at Tua-

peka Hospital has been accepted. The matter of maintenance in hospitals of members

of travelling companies in New Zealand has been referred to the Inspector-general for his consideration and advice. The offer of Messrs Forsyth and Rerryman to supply the Maternity and Foyer Hospitals with, milk and cream as required, from June 11, 1917, to September 30, 1917, on a sliding scale of prices, as ruled by the Dairymen's Association, has been accepted. The recommendation from the head gardener for immediately preparing for a vegetable garden at Wa/kari has been approved. Pay-sheets and accounts as per finance book herewith submitted, amounting to £5184 4s 4d, have been passed for payment. The balance of the various accounts of the board on the 14th inst. were as follow: —Bank of New Zealand, North Dunedin. general account, £15,766 14s 9d (debit); Campbell interest account, £376 5s 2d (cred it); Hospital Saturday account, £3103 5s 9d (credit), leaving a nett debit balance of £12,287 3s lOd.