HOSPITAL TRUSTEES.

Bush Advocate, Volume XXII, Issue 64, 17 March 1910, Page 8

HOSPITAL TRUSTEES.

The monthly meeting of the Dannevirke Hospital Trustees was held at the secretary's office this afternoon, when there were present: Messrs Bickford (chairman), Wratt, Paulson, Erieksen, Buick, and Wilson. Apologies for absence were received from Messrs Rathbone and Johnstone. Correspondence was received — From Messrs Chambers and Booth, of Waipukurau, estimating the cost of lighting the hospital with Dreadnought gas, after allowing for an increia.se of 25 per cent, on last year's consumption, at £25, and the cost of installation would be about. £175. The secretary explained that the letter had arrived too late for the last meeting. Mr Paulson said he bad seen Mr Chambers, who had explained he thought the letter had been posted in time for the meeting. The question of whether the owners of the Dreadnought gas had been made aware of the number of lights now in use at the hospital was raised, and it was stated that Mr Chambers bad been over the building and inspected it for himself. The question, of the respective cost of coal and Dreadnought gas was discussed, and on the figures given it appeared as if the annual saving on the consumption would amount to about £75 per year if Dreadnoughts were used. The secretary stated that as far as he could see the saving would pay the cost of installation in about two years. It wias, however, not deemed advisable to go further into the matter at present, but to pass on. the correspondence to tli© incoming board to deal with. From the Scoullar Company, Ltd., stating that they bad not yet received advice of the invalid chair ordered by the board.—"Received. From several English firms, acknowledging orders for hospital supplies.—Received. From the secretary of Waipawa District Hospital Board, for warding particulars of votes of thanks passed by the board to the medical, -nursing, and secretarial staffs of the Dannevirke and Waipukurau Hospitals.— Received. From same,, asking for particulars of estimates of expenditure at the hospital' during the ensuing twelve months in order that he might lay them before the new beard 1 i&t Waipukurau on April 1. Accounts amounting to £570 9s 7d were passed for payment It was decided to hold a Finance Committee meeting on March 31, at 1 p.m., to pass all accounts. On the motion of the chairman, a hearty vote of thanks was carried unanimously to the medical officers, the matron, staff and secretary for the valuable services they had rendered to the hospital during the time they had been in the service of the board.

Mr Ericksen then said' that as this was the last meeting of the full board he had very imich pleasure in moving a hearty vote of thanks to Mr Biekfo'i'd, who as chairman had done an immense amount of good work for the hospital. He 'had been instrumental in raising a considerable . sura of money for the institution, which they would not have been likely to get had they had one less active in the chair. Mr Bickford's term of office bad been a busy one with the erection of the new ward, but lie had also succeeded in making it a pleasant one for all concerned, and he bad very mm eh pleasure in moving that he be accorded a. hearty vote of thanks. Mr Paulsen seconded the motion. Mr Bickford, in reply, expressed the gratification at the compliment just paid to him. He bad been connected with the hospital since its inception, and both be and Mans Bickford had taken the keenest interest in the institution, and lie was glad to know that their services were appreciated. He also desired to thamk the trustees for the amicable way in which they bad worked with him, and enabled him to carry out his duties as chairman. He could not have wished a, more reasonable set of colleagues, and as a result their relations had been of the most pleasaait mature. He also desired to say that he thought they had a most capable matron in charge of the hospital, aflid the way in which the institution was being utilised by the public showed how much it was needed and how much it was appreciated. He again, thanked the trustees for their kindness to him. The board then adjourned.