TAURANGA HOSPITAL BOARD AFFAIRS

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume LII, Issue 8616, 13 June 1924, Page 2

TAURANGA HOSPITAL BOARD AFFAIRS

DEALT WITH AT MONTHLY

MEETING.

The ordinary monthly meeting of the Tauranga Hospital Board was held in the Borough Council Chambers yesterday: Present: Messrs T. Lcchhead (chairman), J. Hume, V. J Scantlebury, A. Brown, J. Murdoch, R. King, D. Grant, and Colin McNaughton. Nurse fer Katikati.

Dr T. H. A. Valintine, DirectorGeneral of Health, wrote with reference to the district nurse for Katikati, and pointed out that under the amending Act cf last session the subsidy on voluntary contributions lias teen reduced from 24/ in the £to £l. It will be in order for the Beard tc collect £B3 contribution from the settlers. The amount would carry a similar amount cf subsidy at £ for £. The balance required would be paid by the Beard tc make up the amount oi the nurse’s salary and any fees collected by the nurse can be received by the Board. It is not possible to subsidise patients’ payments. Mrs M. M: Johnston, Katikati, wrote' under date June 7, urging the Beard tc expedite matters in connection with the appointment cf a nurse for the Katikati district.

The Secretary reported that he had consulted Miss Bagley. of the Health Department, regarding the appointment of a, nurse for Katikati and applications were new being invited for the position. Mr Grant moved—That the correspondence be approved.—Seconded by Mr King and canned. Resignation of Medical Superintendent. Dr Warren Young wrote tendering his resignation as medical superintendent of the Tauranga Hospital. He stated; "I regret that private matters necessitate my taking this step at should have liked to* have) seen the new hospital in working order. I would take this opportunity cf thanking the Board for the courteous manner in which at all times I have been treated. I have, felt, indeed, that I have had your confidence in matter? of management; and of medical and surgical procedure. I wash, tea, to record my appreciation cf the present nursing staff, with Miss Hildilch as matron. There has been a notable, absence of these frictions, v.hicb sometimes occur in hospitals c. e similar size There has been a. marked efficiency in nursing.” Mr Scan tie bury moved—That the resignation cf Dr Young be accepted with regret, and that; the Board expresses appreciation cf his services as medical superintendent.

Mr Murdoch, seconded the mention, and -expressed regret that Dr Yeung was leaving Tauranga.

Mr Grant and the! Chairman spoke in support, of the motion, which was then put and carried. It was decided to make inquiries from the Department, c-f Health and also ether hospital Beards seeking information regarding, terms, etc., concerning the engagement of medical superintendents. Th-ei matter of inviting applications fen medical superintendent was referred to l the Tauranga Committee with power to act. New Hospital at Tauranga..

Dr T H. A- Valintine, DirectorGeneral of Health, Wellington, w'ro'e concerning the electrical installation at the new hospital at Tauranga! and asked whv the. tenders .exceeded the estimate given in October last..

The letter had be:-n replied tc by the secretary, detailing the position at length.

A letter on the same.- subject was also read from Messrs A. and T. Burt, Ltd., the successful tenderers, for the electrical installation, settivto- cut reasons for the advance in prices.

Th acceptance of the tender is subject to the approval of the Minister of Health.

Mr Clemson attended the meeting and dealt with, the whole position. He stated that there had been. a. rise in copper. !A certain amount cf extra work had also been included.”

It was decided to wire l and ask the Department: for authority tc accept a tender immediately for the electric wiring; that the matter of dea l ing with tenders for electric fitlines be ’eft to the Tauranga Com - ml tree with power to act-.

Mr H. H Chm-sen, architect, submhed the fed owing report concerning the new hospital now being moored at Thu ran" a; “Though de--1 p.r'-o-l bv wet. weather the work i c ote-ifld-r a,lvandrt.ff The whole of ♦ are erected up to ♦Vii-s -n«/l<i*-o.no • +tv. iwncretfj lintsls ■n"—v.n.-ma are finished.

Everv precaution is being taken to render the walls damp -proof. Fourteen men are employed cn the work. Cost to date £4702 18/8. 1 am in receipt cf a price from ihe_ 1 auranga Gas Company for £lod 0/5 fer hiving on the gas to the new hispital. including one point to X Ray room and an auxiliary lighting svste into the operating theatre. The drainage work is being carried on each length being tested by myself and the health inspector, and only filled in when the test is satisfactory. Owing to the continued wet weather I was not able to take the levels for the filtration system and have a report and estimate ready for this meeting of the Beard. This does not, however, delay the work in any way.” The tender for laying on gas to the new hospital was referred to the Tauranga Committee with power to act.

Details concerning the filtration system were furnished by Mr Clem* son. whoi submitted a plan. Mr Murdoch moved That; the plan be submitted to* thei Health Dep artm en I for appr ov a I.—Sec on d - ed by Mr Grant and carried. The question of conveying storm wafer from Cameron Road across the hospital grounds was raised by Mr Scant lebury. He moved--- That the architect confer with, the countv engineer on the matter. ” The; motion was seconded by Mr McNaughton and carried. It was also' agreed that matters concerning ' the drainage of the swamp area have the attention of the architect.

Te Puk - Hospital

Mr H. H. Clem son, architect, presented the following report concerning the new hospital at Te Puke : "Tiro installing for the new road has teen discontinued, as the Town Board have' prohibited the contractor carting over the main road. A 9in culvert is necessary to take the storm water .across the road. I have seen Mr Woodward ahont this culvert and hs 1 is agr'eable to the County Council maintaining the culvert if the Hospital Board will lay it. Cost, approximately. £7. The contractor' has erected a shed, 40ft by 14ft, for making concrete blocks and storing cement and tools, and has also built an office. The excavations are complete and a quantity of pumice l and sand delivered on the ground.’' Mr King moved—That Mr Cleinsert be authorised to have the'culvert laid as indicated, in his report. Mr Grant seconded the motion, which was carried.

j Typhoid Cases, Dr Young reported that four native patients, suffering from typhoid, , were- being treated in a tent at tin ■ Tan ran ga hospital. The native nurse was assisting with the cases and another nurse was also engaged. } Dr Buck would visit the district on i the following day (Thursday).

Complaints

Dr Young stated that complaints had been made at the hospital of an objectionable smell from sanitary pans at the depot near the pound*.

It was decided to com muni cate with the Borough Council conveying an intimation of the complaints.

Mr Sbantlcbury moved That Mr L. Mandeno* be asked to go; ever the X Ray plant with the: medical superintendent.- Seconded by MiBrown and carried. No Huts Available.

The Defence Department. Wei lington, advised that it has no hut incuts available far disposal.—-Re-ceived.-

Fees Payable from Compensation. The Patea Hosp ital Beard wrote asking support of the following resolution.— That an amendment to the Workers’ Compensation Act be sought, providing for the payment direct to hospital boards by insurance companies cut of compensation due to patients insured against accident and admitted to hospital far treatment, of all fees due by such patents for maintenance.”

Estimates Approved

Mr Hume moved That the resolution be supported. Seconded by Mr Grant and carried.

The Secretary cf the Department of Health wrote- advising that the estimates of the Board have been approved by the Minister of Health as follows: Maintenance levy, £2, 827 1/9; Maintenance subsidy (at 23/4 in. £) £3301 9/1.

The communcaticn was received Levies on Contributory Districts.

The secretary reports ;l that the amounts required from, tlie three contributory districts are as follows : Taaranga County. £IBO3 18/4; Tauranga Borough. £750 1/8 ; Te Puke Town Board, £273 1/9. Work at Native Nurse’s Cottage.

Thrt e tenders were received for work at the native nurse’s house; at Hair ini.

Tlie tender cf Mr A. Brewer, being the lowest, had been accepted. The secretary reported that the work had been completed. The action taken tvas approved.

Tenders for the supply and fixing of two canvas blinds for the nurse’s cottage were received as follows: T. H. Phillips, £2 5/ and £3 each blind ; Tauranga Furnishing Co., Ltd.. £lO 16/6 (two blinds); W. Gain, £3 19/6 (two blinds) and £4 6/ (two blinds).

The tenders were referred to the Tauranga Committee' to deal with. Miss Whittaker, native health nurse, wrote requesting that two canvas chairs be purchased.

The matter was referred to the Tauranga Committee. Tlie secretary repeated that a rose arch had been erected in the grounds of the Hairinl cottage at a cost of £2. and the cost had been paid by Miss Whittaker. Leave of Abence. Miss Arnold, Matron of the Te Puke Maternity Hospital, wrote applying for three mouths’ leave of absence, on account; of the state of her health.

The request of Miss Arnold was agreed io. Mss Hogg, of Opotiki, was appointed acting matron of the maternity hospital.

Preference for British Vehicles,

The Department of Health forwarded circular relative to motor transport for Hospital Boards, and stressed then desirability of purchasing motor ambulances and car chassis of British manufacture in preference to others. —The letter was received.

Tauranga Hospital

Miss Hilditch, Matron of the Tauranga Hospital, forwarded report for the month of May. showing: admissions; 1G; discharged, 11; remaining in hospital. 9. The matron stated. “For gifts of literature and produce I wish to thank the following ; Mesdames Butcher, Hendex'sen. Ellery, York, and Faulkner; Messrs Bunting, Tudhope, Boyd, Mayfield, Kensington. H. Monro, and Garrett. ’ ’

Te Puke Maternity Hospital

Miss Arnold, matron of the Te Puke Maternity Hospital, forwarded schedule for the mouth of May, showing five patients admitted and six discharged from the institution. Two patients remain in hospital.

Native Health Matters.

Miss Whittaker, native health nurse, forwarded epitome of work done and itinerary for the month’ of May.

Ibq ues t fo r 110 sp ita 1. The following letter from Messrs Bruce Beale and Carden, solicitors,

was read: ‘‘Under instructions from 1 Die Public Trustees, as executor of the will of .James McCutchan, late of Kali kali, deceased, we enclose- a formal notification from the Trustee of a substantial bequest made by the deceased for the benefit- of the d aura nga hospital. After providing ter • attain legacies the estate is to Individed into four equal parts. As l-r one of such parts the testator directs ‘That the sam- shall O' terested by my said Truster and the annual interest! cr proceeds arising therefrom shall by paid to the Bay of Plenty Hospital and Charitable Aid Beard year by year for the benefit of the- Tauraiiga hospital for s; long as the law allows such yearly disposition tec be carried out and immediately cm the- expiration cf the* time so allowed I direct that the principal cf such part or share shall he- paid to the said Board to by used for the benefit cf the said hospital.’ Though the will directs that the payments are to be made to the Bay cf Plenty Hospital Board, it is quite clear that, the l Tanranga Hospital is tci benefit by the- bequest and the Public Trustee has, therefore. ccmmuncia.ted with, the former body for their acknciwledgment. admitting the right of your Board to receive the money. Until the administration of the estate' is further advanced it is not possible to estimate the value of the bequest, but of this you will be advised later. ”

Planting at Tb Puke.

Mr ff. H. Davidson wrote forwarding report and a list of trees which lie recommended to, be planted for shelter and afforestation, purposes on the Te Puke hospital lands. The; report stated: "The area is exposed to, the cold south and south-westerly winds and shelter trees shoud be planted as scon as possible. The triangular area between No. 2 Road and the new road should be planted in eucalyptus eugencides, which is a suitable? tree; for poles and building purposes. Alcng the scvitih-vvestenit boundary from the new read to the top of ths cliff, I recommend two rows of eucalyptus rcstrat'a, with Cupi'essus Laws.'niiana in front of them. When the eucalypts have attained to a fair height! the winds will be carried over the buildings while the Gyp re sms Lawscniaua- will provide bottom shelter. Cupressus Lawscniana, should also be planted along the top of the cliff. Plant pinus radiat'a, (insignus) on the steep slopes and Eucalyptus Macarthurii and E viminalis on the small area cf flat land at the bottom, as it is difficult cf access. lam net recommending the planting of ornamental tress, etc., as I understand there is little money available for maintenance work, but mi the eastern side of the new road I would recommend that a row of Canary Island date, palms (Phoenix Carariensis) be planted. This is a handy and or n a mental pine and when better known it will be l planted more largely. On the, western side of the road, and close to the bottom of the filling, plant; Cupressus Lawscniara.”

Mr Davidson anpencled a list of trees required and the distances to plant same. He also enclosed account for £2 2/. Mr Scantlebury moved —Thatl the trees enumerated be procured and planted, the arrangements to: be left it the hands of the Te Puke Committee.—Seconded by Mr Brown and carried. Heating of Buildings. The: question of providing heaters for one of the small bull din as at the Tb Puke hospital was referred t~, the Te Puke Committee with power to act. General Matters. The Beard also considered matters concerning the admission cf patients to various hospitals outside the district; hospital fees due to the Beard; hospital fees claimed from the Board for the treatment of patients in outside hospitals ; and arequest for financial assistance.