ASHBURTON ITEMS

Press, Volume LIX, Issue 17811, 10 July 1923, Page 3

ASHBURTON ITEMS

Heavy Frosts. Fifteen degrees of frost were legistI *rad at Ashburton on Sunday morning, and thirteen degrees yesterday morning. 1 Loyal Orange Lodge. » The members of the Loyal Orange Lodge, No. 23, Ashburton, mot on Sunday afternoon and, headed by the Scottish Pipe Band, marched in procession* to the local Theatre Royal, where Divine service was conducted. The sermon was preachedoy the Bev. Bro. R. J. Liddell, P.G.M., and an anthem was sung by the Baring square Methodist Church Choir. Hospital Board. The monthly meeting of the Ashburton Hospital Board was held yesterday. Present—Messrs C. Reid (chairman"), W. Bryant, W. G. Gallagher, A. J. Magson, W. T. Lill, J. Bruce, A. Horsey, and P. W. Watt. The treasurer reported a credit balance of £3280 Is 3d. The medical superintendent reported that the X-ray plant had been installed and was working satisfactorily. Dr. G. I. Miller, the newly-appointed house surgeon, had commenced his duties, and was at present boarding out pending house accommodation being provided in the Hospital. Mr Bryant remarked that it had been reported outside that the Building Committee had had certain work done without calling for public tenders. He did not know whether such was tho case, but it was just as well to have the matter* cleared up. He understood that the drainage works at the Hospital had been put in without tenders having been called for. He represented the Tinwald Town Board District, and he was on the Board to keep all expenses down as much as possible. ' The chairman said that in all cases prjees were obtained from various firms, and the lowest price accepted. The Board was bound by law to call for public tenders for. any works over the value of £2O. After discussion it was decided that in future public tenders for any plumbing work over £SO be called for, both in Ashburton, Christchurch, and Timaru. The minutes of the meeting held in Dunedin on May 22nd, in connexion with the Waipiata Sanitorium, were laid on the table, and Mr Watt promised to furnish the Board at the next meeting with the full financial position of the Sanitorium. Dr. McKee and Stanley Smith and J. W. M. Dart waited on the. Board with reference to the resignation of Nurse Templeton. as matron of the Methven Maternity Home and Cottage Hospital, which would be a serious loss to Methven and to the Board. Mr Smith said the hospital was built for the accommodation of four patients, but during the past year there had been 83 cases, and S3 during the past three months. The hospital was too small and very much understaffed, so much so that Nurse Templeton had had to work night and day, and had brokea down under the Btrain. He understood that the Board intended to make some additions to tho hospital, but no extra wards were contemplated. This would be a great mistake, as at least four additional wards, and at least two certificated nurses were required. The hospital had become very„popular, and would become more so as \time went on. Dr. McKee and Mr Dart warmly supported the remarks of' Mr Smith, and strongly urged that four additional wards be erected. The proposed ' additions did not increase tho accommodation for patients, and this was absolutely necessary. There was,no prospect of Miss Templeton withdrawing her resignation; as she had accepted another position in another hospital. The chairman assured the deputation that their requests would have the full consideration of the Board. The resignation of Misb Templeton was accepted with regret; Tenders for the additions to the hospital were considered in committee, nnd it' was decided to inform the deputation of the steps being taken in connexion with the additions. decided to thank the Rakaia Road Board for the great amount of help it had given in. connexion with the cleaning up and levelling of the grounds at the Rakaia Maternity Home and Cottage Hospital. The matter of purchasing a suitable gate for the entrance was left with Mr Magson, with power to act. It was reported that during tho .month of June seven patients were mitted to the Malvern Maternity Home, nine discharged, and there were five''remaining. The figures for the Methven home were nine, nine, and four, and for the Rakaia home five, one, and four, respectively. ;•> It was decided to support the Wellington and Whangarei Hospital Boards in asking the Government to subsidise hospital funds &. for £. ''