HOSPITAL BOARD

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3081, 11 May 1917, Page 6

HOSPITAL BOARD

FIRST MEETING

THE CHAIRMAN'S REVIEW

The first ordinary meeting of the newly-elected Wellington Hospital and Charitable Aid Board was held yesterday afternoon. There were present: Messrs. H. Baldwin, F. Castle, Rev. Dr. Elliott, D. Campbell, C. M. Luke, F. T. Moore, J. W. M'Ewan, G. Nash,

G. J. Petherick, J. Smith, W. J. Thompson, H. Van Staveren, Mesdames J. Aitken, A. M'Vicar, Neil M'Lean, A. D. M'Laren, and Grace Neill.

The chairman said that, in congratulating the old members who had been returned, they conld take it that the public approved the way in which the business of the board had been conducted. Mr. Baldwin also extended a very hearty welcome to the new member's of tho board 1 , and trusted that they would be able to bring new ideas to bear upon hospital management that would make for improvements. Mr. H. Baldwin was returned unopposed to the position of chairman of the board, and was heartily congratulated by several of the members.

The chairman said the work in which they were engaged was not a light one, that of looking after the' sick, infirm, and the poor. To the new members of the board he would say that the work was not easy. There was more done in one month by the board than there was in six on a borough council. And the work of the institution was growing all the time. Since he had been chairman they had added a new children's hospital, a bacteriological I-block, had increased the accommoda- | tion for the nurses, made considerable alterations to the kitchen, and had established a convalescent home for children at Belmont. That growth was still going on. At tho present time they were providing an ophthalmic ward, which had been promised ten years ago. The contractors were now at work on it. At the next meeting of the board they would have placed before them plans of alterations and additions to the Nurses' Home, workthat was being rendered necessary owjng to tho increase of the staff. Before the end of the year they would probably have to provide a diphtheric ward. ' Negotiations with the Government were now in progress for the acquisition of a piece of land near the Isolation (Fever) Hospital. There was only a small difference in the respective ideas of the value of the land, and it was possible that there might- be something to report to the next meeting of the Finance Committee. It was futile for the new memberß to come along with ideas that they were going to run tho Hospital at a less expense than heretofore. They had had to look ahead and provide for the' future—they must do that to keep up the present standard of tho hospital, which must not be allowed to go back, and ho could assure them that in that respect he would act in the future in the same manner as he had for the past few years. There were two main features _to be considered—economy and efficiency—and he was sure that in striving for both he would have the support of the board.

Mr. C. M. Luke rose to say what valuable assistance tho lady members of the board had rendered in the past, and referred particularly; to tho services which had been rendered to tho State by Mrs. Grace Neill (late Assistant-Inspector of Hospitals). The Rov/ H. Van Staveren also welcomed tho ladies to the board, and refcrred_ to the great help Mrs. Neill had given the hoard in the past. Mr. J. AV. M'Bwan warmly congratulated Mr. Baldwin on his re-election. All that ho had dono during his late term of office had refleoted credit upon him. / He had on occasions crossed swords with bim. and he thought that it did Mr. Baldwin good to have someone on the board who was not afraid to kick up a row now and again.

Mrs. Neill returned thanks for tho kind references to herself,

On the motion of Mr. D. Campbell, seconded by Mr. G. Nash, Mr. F. Castle was re-elected treasurer without opposition. The chairman, Mr. Luke, and several other members of tho board, paid tributes to Mr. Castle's work as troasurer. ■ ' .

The following were elected members of the Hospital Committee:—Messrs. H. Freeman, C. M. Luke, W. Galloway, J. K. Elliott, J. Smith, J. AY. M'Ewan, G. Nash, Mesdamcs F. J. M'Lean, Graco Neill, A. M'Vicar. All those that were not elected to the Hospital Committee were appointed members of the Charitable Aid Committee. They were:—Messrs. D. Campbell, G. Peth'eriok, H. Van Staveren, AV. J. Thompson, G. Monk, F. T. Moore, and Mesdames M'Laren and Aitken.

The following were elected to the Public Health Committee:—Mesdames Aitken. M'Laren, Rev. Dr. J K. Elliott, Mr. C. M. Luke, and the Rev. H. Van Staveren.

Mr. John Smith was elected chairman of the Hospital Committee; Mr. D. Campbell of the Charitable Aid Committee, and Rev. H. Van Staveren of the Public Health Committee.

Messrs. Petherick and Luke and the Rev.. Mr. Van Stavsjen, with the chairman of tho board, and the Hospital and Charitable- Aid Committees will form the Finance Committee;

The next meeting "° the board will he held on Thursday next.