CHARITABLE AID BOARD.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 339, 28 October 1908, Page 4

CHARITABLE AID BOARD.

The monthly meeting of the Wellington and Wairarapa Charitablo Aid Board was held'yesterday, and was attendee! by Messrs. R. C.. Kirk (chairman), F. Cohen, A. Coles, D. M'Larofi,'and"\V. H. Morrah: u Mr. It. Smith, of Pahiatua, wroto apologising for his absence from the board's last mooting. An attack of influenza had presented his attendance. Tho secretary received a telegram from Mr. Smith yesterday having reference to tho present meeting "Indisposed, excuse absence." In regard to the claim for £102 refund, made by the Mauricoville County Council, of which the board decided at last meeting to obtain further particulars, tho council tendered an explanation of tho items. The letter..said in addition that the' council thought it reasonable to select guidance and suggestions from the board on tho matter of distribution,.rather than adverse criticism. Tho explanation was received, and tlio" inspector instructed to look into the cases when in -that district; tho account then to bo passed. ' ■ •' • The Board agreed to draw up a uniform ration list, to be supplied for tho guidance of the local bodies entrusted with .tho distribution of charitablo aid. • . ; ' It was decided'that Mr. G. Willis (secretary) should also act as the board's inspector,' and that ail increase in salary bo allowed him. An important point arose in connection with - a case from Featherston district. Tho patient had beon committed to the Victoria Home for Incurables, and when discharged, the County Council paid'his-expenses, in : turn sending the bill to the Charitable Aid Board for a refund. Tho board ; maintained that the Wairarapa'Hospital Board should pay the costs,'as it was a hospital, and not a charitable aid case. A similar position .was shown to exist in connection .with a- woman, whose expenses tho Mauricevillo County Council refused to pay. Tho Charitablo Aid Board had referred both cases to the In6pector:Goneral of Hospitals, Dr. Valintine, for a ruling, believing that in both instances the Hospital Board was liable. The letter from Dr. Valintine was received., It .read:— "I have to state that locomotor ataxia, the disease from which tho former is sufforing, is a chronic disease, and, therefore, is not a case for'hospital, which is or should be reserved for acute cases only. The woman from Mauricevillo .Connty is suffering from paralysis'.agitans, a chronic disease, not likely to be benefited by hospital treatment. ■ ■ These cases, therefore, should bo dealt with by tho body administering charitable aid in their respective districts. If your board has delegated its powers to. any . local authority,'it is the local authority's duty to look after any cases within the boundaries of its district: if not, then it is the duty of your board to provido for these cases." The chairman said that if. this decision woro a correct one, tho board could be called upon -to'support.about- half the cases at present in the Victoria Homo. On Mr. M'Laren's motion, the matter was left in the hands of the chairman, who" was to interview Dr. Valintine, and the chairmen of the Hospital Board and Hospital Trustees. .. ,