HOSPITAL BOARD.

Press, Volume XLVIII, Issue 14524, 28 November 1912, Page 3

HOSPITAL BOARD.

* MONTHLY MEETING.

I The North Canterbury Hospital and Charitable Aid Board met yesterday. Present: —Messrs F. Horrell (chairman), G. Scott, C. l>. Morris, W. W. Tanner. A. H. Turnbuil, R. Moore. J. l>. Hall, It- McMillan, C. Cook, H. J. Oiley, J. 11. Davidson, and Mcsdamcs Cunnington, Erapsoii, and Wilson. , HOSPITAL COMMITTEE, ' Tho Hospital Committee reported that at the last mooting of the Hoard i; was decided to accept tho tender of -Mr R. H. ltankin for tho erection of the Isolation Block, but no notice of acceptance being sent to him be asked to bo allowed to withdraw his tender, as he had made a mistake involving about £400. Tho matter was referred to tho Board's solicitors who aovised that the Board could not legally enforce the forfeiture of tho £100 deposit. Tho Hospital Committee then had to consider the best course to adopt and finally decided to accept the tender of Messrs Greig and json -without "Fama" flooring at_£sß7G the Board to have the option of varying tho specifications to include "Fama" flooring ai an extra cost of £524. St>e ; ng that tho latter would involve tho Board in an expenditure greater than that a creed upon with the Hospital and Charitable Aid Department tho position was referred to tho Inspector-General who telegraphed recommending acceptance of tender to include l Fan:a" seeing that the agent?, are willing to givo the Board a five years' guarantee. The clause was adopted. The report also stated that the Committee has decided to have the "subway' , in connection with tho Administration Block constructed by day labour, and when that is completed to have- tho excavations for tho foundations made, so that it may be in a better position to decide whether it "will be advisable to do the concrete work by day labour, or let it in one contract . with tho building. The clause was ! adopted. ; Authority was given to appoint a "Masseuse" on the Hospital staff. PATIENTS IN HOSPITAL. The medical superintendent reported that 175 cases wero admitted during j the past month, the number being I made up of 80 men, Gl women, and 34 children. There were 18 patients ; awaiting admission. There wero 187 outpatients' cases. '( Tlie Sanatorium statistics showed that one woman was admitted during October, making tho total number of patients in residence at the end of October 36. Twenty-four persons were waiting for admission. PUBLIC HEALTH. The Public Health Committee stated that tho health inspectors reported, enquiries during October into 20 cases of scarlet fever, 10 of diphtheria, 12 of tuberculosis, 2 erysipelas, and 2 septicaemia. Fourteen cases were admitted to Bottle Lake Hospital and 200 wero discharged, leaving 15 still in the hospital. The report stated that mosquitoes have been particularly troublesomo at Bottle Lake Hospital during tho past two months. The tender of Messrs J. Hammett and Sons, for tho erection of a shelter at £182, was accepted. FINANCE COMMITTEE. Tho Finance Committee reported that the balance of the general account amounted to £13,485 16s 2d, and amounts amounting to- £1690 17s 2d had been passed for payment. Tho Ashburton Hospital and Charitable Aid Board asked that two representatives of the Board bo appointed to meet a similar number of Ashburton representatives so as to arrive at an amicable settlement of tho matters that have bsen m dispute between the two Boards. Tho Committee suggested .that Messrs rXta-KJson4And;.Horrell be, empowered to 'act'oh bolfalf'bf'the Board. ; ' ' •••■'- ■■■■' ■-■"■ •' MiSCEIitpXEOVS. A deputation waited on the Board in referenco to securing sufficient land for widening Wright's road._ The matter was referred to the Finance Committee. ' ERECTION OF BUILDINGS. Tho Inspector-General of Hospitals (Dr. T. H. H. Valintine) wrote, stating that under section 61 of the. Hospitals and Charitable Institutions Act, it is necessary for a Board to submit for the approval of tho Minister in charge of the Department plans or details connected with any alterations or additions to buildings, or any outlay on other purposes involving an expenditure of £250 and over. "Without .exception, Boards have complied with the letter of tho law," said the letter, "hut I would also ask Boards, as a matter of courtesy, to acquaint the Department of any proposed alterations to buildings that do not involve an outlay of £250, so that the Dcoartment may have an opportunity, in a purely advisory capacity, of making suggestions in connection therewith that might result in tho money being expended with more advantage to the institution concerned. Some Boards have sanctioned alterations and additions to buildings which, though not involving an expenditure amounting to £250, would have been of more ■ general advantage to the institutions concerned if a little more money had been expended thereon, thereby bringing them within tho scope of the section. In some instances, these alterations have been so made that they would have to be removed in the event of it being decided to enlarge / the institution; in other instances alterations have been made of a nature that I feel sure could have been avoided had tho Board informed the Department of its intentions." The Board recorded its disapproval of the proposal.