MONTHLY MEETING.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XXXIX, Issue 9545, 10 March 1919, Page 5

MONTHLY MEETING.

The monthly meeting of the Hospital and Charitable Aid Board was held to-day. The members present were: Messrs C. Reid (chairman), F. W. Watt. H. J. Harrison, W. Robinson, J. Cairns. H. Fricdlander, and W. J. Dickie. M.P. The treasurer reported" a. credit bal-

sine*'. ot: £24.16 10s 6d. The receipts .since last meeting aggregated £1445 7s Sd. and included: Ashburton County Council levy £378 and refund £1000, charitable aid refunds" £9 13s* 6d, and patients' fees £57 14s 2d.

CHAIRMAN'S REPORT,

The chairman (Mr C. Reid) reported

as follows: —"From a health point of view the month just closed has given little cause for anxiety as far as this district is concerned, there having been, reported only three eases of, scarlet fever, and these all from one family in the Laumhor area. These cases were promptly isolated at the fever ward at the hospital, and are now convalescent. The only other cases that came under notice were one each of septic&ia and hydatids. and.a mild case of measles.' J As will be seen from warnings received 'from the Chief Health Officer and the District Health Officer, a' fresh outbreak at 1 iniiucnza. is feared, and the Department desires hospital boards generally to assist the Health Officers in every way by making the necessary 'arrangements to deal with any outbreak that may occur in the near future. Reports from overseas have no doubt made the Health Department anxious. The matron has 'asked for verandah blinds for the hospital, also linoleum. The former are difficult to m'ocure. and the latter.l would recommend being held over, until the pro-' posed painting, etc., lias boon completed.! Tenders for the. will be before you for consideration to-day. At time of writing this report no advance has been made by 'the Department on account of tho new fever wards now in course of erection, but so fatno heavy calls* have been made."—The report was adopted.

The Medical Superintendent reported that on February 1 there were 11 males and two females in the hospital. Durina the month. 13 malos and 1.0 females wero admitted, and 15 males and seven females discharged. One female died' duriner the month, leaving nine f males and nine females in the institution on February 28.

The Matron's report dealt mainly with articles necessary for the hospital. She asked the board to assist with the ■Nurses' Memorial Fund which is being raised throughout the Dominion. It was intended that the memorial should take the form of a fund, which would remain for all time an active service of holw to nurses who, from age or illhealth.- may be in need of financial assistance. —The matter of a donation was held over pending receipt of further information to bo obtained by the chairman. . ;

Mr E. N. Johnson (Health. Inspector) reported that six cases of infections diseases were notified during the month, including three of scarlet fever, one septicaemia, one hydatids, and one influenxa.—Received» ■' CORRESPONDENCE.

The Otago Hospital Board wrote, asking the Ashburton Board to support a resolution in favour of Parliament granting a sufficient sum to widows whose husbands died.! during the epidemic, in order that they can bring up thpir " families without applying to Charitable Aid Boards.—The chairman stated a number of boards had objected to the proposal. Personally, he could sue no reason why a distinction should be oia.de between a woman whoschusbahd died as a result of the epidemic or any other widow.—Air Friedlander agreed with the chairman, and said it was preferable to have a uniform stale for all widows.—lt was decided to support the proposal provided the amount was uniform in all cases.

A letter was received from Dr. Chesson, District Health Officer, asking the board to organise in the district so that patrols could be got together at the shortest notice in the event of a recrudescence of the influenza epidemic.—Received.

A letter was received from the South llakaia Road Board stating that voluntary workers in that locality would decline to accept certificates as suggested by the Minister of (Public Health. A similar letter was received from the Ashburton Influenza Committee. —It was decided to forward copies of the letter to the Minister. GENERAL. . It was decided to grant the gardener an increase in salary of Is per day. It was decided to confer with the local medical men asking whether, in the event of an epidemic, they would be willing to work under the block system as suggested by the Health Department. J. Pc thick's tender of £295 for painting at the hospital was accepted, provided he undertakes to do the work within a certain time to be arranged with the chairman. \

Accounts, amounting to £476 2s Id were passed for payment.