HOSPITAL AND CHARITABLE AID BOARD.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXII, Issue 163, 23 July 1901, Page 3

HOSPITAL AND CHARITABLE AID BOARD.

The fortnightly meeting of the Auckland Hospital and Charitable Aid Board Avas held yesterday afternoon in the office of the Board, Highstreet. Mr J. Bruce, chairman, presided, and there were also present. — Jlessrs J. Stiehbury, J. Gordon, J. Allen, J. Jarniesou, J. Walters, A. P. Friend, and J. (!. Garland. BenftU, Society.—The secretary of the Union Steamship Co. Mutual Bonflit Society wrote pointing nut that his society had a moving- membership consisting of seafaring- men, that no district in New Zealand could be considered as their place of residence, and asked that they be extended the privileges extended to other friendly societies. Mr Garland said the letter was the result of a request for payment of full fees in respect of the treatment of one of the society's members. He m6ved that half fees be accepted in this particular case only. Messrs Jamieson and' Gordon spoke against the proposition and said, although they were in sympathy with the objects of the friendly societies, they considered that the. companies should provide for their employees. It was agreed that the reduction of fees be only granted to those resident in the hospital district. [Reserve. —Regarding1 the transfer of the Board's reserve at Ellerslie to the Agricultural Association, communications were received from Auckland members of the Legislature stating that the Board would be adequately compensated on the introduction of the Bill.

Superintendent.—The medical staff wrote that the matter of the appointment of a medical superintendent 'had been considered, the general opinion being that for the efficient ■working of the hospital a staif of •three medical officers was required, and that the present senior resident officer should be made medical superintendent at an advanced salary, and that two junior residents be appointed at a higher salary than at present paid. The medical staff considered that the superintendent's duties should include the out department, and should give primary treatment to all cases on admission and to cases of emergency, and should administer or supervise the administration of anaesthetics. On the motion of Mr Stichbury it "was decided that the matter be deferred for a fortnight, and that the honorary staff be invited to defer the matter for a fort-

night. Superintendent's Keport.—The medical superintendent's report for the fortnight showed: —Patients admitted: 41 males, 23 females; deaths: 4 males, 2 females; discharged: 39 males, 19 females; remaining at date: 99 males, 60 females. Mr Stichbury thought there was a want of management in the number of patients remaining after their discharge had ibeen recommended. Dr. Bedford said that some patients were destitute, and it was hard to say what was to be done with them. Mr Friend moved that patients discharged be requested to leave at once, and if necessary apply to the relieving officer for aid. This was agreed to. Maternity Ward. — The Costley Home committee recommended that a separate building be erected in the hospital ground for a lying-in ward, the cost to be taken from bequests to the hospital. Mr Garland moved the adoption of the report. Mr Stichbury thought the institution was not required. The idea of the mover he believed was that a place should be provided for ladies in the country who could not get proper attention in their own villages. But for those who could afford to pay there were a number of private hospitals, and for those who could not a place was already provided. Messrs Gordon and Warren favoured the proposition. Mr Bruce thought 'that the training the nurses would receive would be very valuable. The motion was carried by four votes to two. Mr Stichbury entered his protest against the money from Wolfe's bequest being used for the purpose, but the chairman stated that the money would not be used unless that could legally be done. Nurses.—The lady superintendent presented a return" of nurses' hours, contradicting the,statement that probationers were sometimes kept on night duty for three months at a stretch. A request was received for more hot water for baths for the nurses. The Chairman considered that the £300 annually expended on deferred until next meeting, pending fuel was too high, and the matter was a report from the engineer.