AN INTERESTING REVIEW.

Press, Volume LXVII, Issue 14030, 29 April 1911, Page 6

AN INTERESTING REVIEW.

HOSPITAL AND CHARITABLE AID WORK. At the meeting of the Hospital ami Charitable Aid Board yesterday, the chairman (Mr F. Horrell) in his report stated that the first year of office under the Act of 1909 having just expired, he proposed to review the work done during the neriod. The general expenditure had been rather heavy, no less a sum than £17,942 in capital outlay, and .£39,741 on maintenance, while the receipts from local authorities amounted to £20,948, from Government subsidy £23,965, and from other sources £8041. It was very satisfactory to note that the fees recovered from hospital patients were increased by upwards of £o(X). The total cost of the new wards would amount to £18,000, although tho contract was originally for £14,292. The extra amount was principally for foundations. The furnishing would probably amount to nearly £2000. There would soon be some 200 beds available, and these should meet requirements for a few years to come, but he trusted the Board would proceed further with the administration block, as the dilapidated condition of the kitchen, and its distance from the wards, rendered it almost imperative that better accommodation and appliances should be provided - without unnecessary delay. The thanks of the Board wero due to the honorary staff for the valuable assistance rendered during the past year, especially to the chairman (Dr. Fox), who as a . member of tho Hospital Committee had been most regular in his attendance at meetings. Tlie lately appointed juniors, Dr. Mary Glowery amf Dr. AViddowson, were performing their duties very satisfactorily, the temporary duties of house surgeon being entrusted to Dr. Pentreath. Their excellent matron had a Strenuous and trying yea*, but had done her work most satisfactorily. The Board was fortunate in having the services of Mr Loughton, the head engineer, who had carried out the whole of the lighting and heating arrangements of the new wards, besides other works. The_ Sanitorium, under the able superintendence of Dr. Blaekinore, continued to do good work. Several new shelters had been erected, and although the men's shelters were not fully occupied, more were required on the women's side, and for that purpose excavating was now beini: done. Matters at the Tunrangi Home were working very smoothly, the master and matron taking great interest in their work. There were at present 79 inmates —a nurse and probationer being in charge of the chronic ward. The same remarks apply to the Jubilee Home. They had a most valuable matron in Miss Higgins. There were at present 06 inmates, with nurses and probationers in charge of the chronic ward. The children at the Orphanage were comfortable and happy under the kind and motherly care of Miss Donaldson. It was proposed to make some additions to the building for the accommodation of a few more children. Additions and improvements to the value of £000 had been effected at Bottle Lake during the year. It was hoped that ample provision would now be made to meet all requirements for some time. The matron (Mrs Seymour) has had a busy year, especially during the last two or three months. He sincerely trusted that during the coming year the Board would endeavour to provide some of the outlying districts with nurses, and also in some cases subsidise tho salaries of medical men, to attend to the destitute sick. Through lack of accommodation at the base hospital, sufficient nurses could not be trained to meet all requirements, hut with the completion of tho new buildings he hoped to see this difficulty overcome. The Dental Association had more than once asked the Board to establish a dental ward at the Hospital. The Board (who were quite in sympathy with the project) through lack of accommodation had been unable to meet the requirements of tfypse gentlemen, hut with the completion of the new offices, he thought the old Board room at the Hospital might very well be utilised for the purpose as a temporary ward, permanent wards being provided for in tho administration block. The report was adopted without discussion.