HOSPITAL BOARD

Evening Star, Issue 17955, 28 April 1922, Page 8

HOSPITAL BOARD

MONTHLY MEETING. The monthly meeting of the Hospital and Charitable Aid Board was hold last evening, and attended by Mr W. L. Knight (chairman), Mesdames Jackson, Macfie, and Macdonald;- Dr Howlands, Messrs A. F. Qnelch, D. Larnach, J. W. Dove, and W. 1, Talhoyp, MR KNIGHT AGAIN CHAIRMAN. The first business was tlie appointment of a chairman for the ensuing year. Mr Talboy.s moved that Mr Knight ho rc-elccted chairman. The speaker said that Mr Knight put in no end of work in the interests'of the hoard. He had done yeoman's service during the five years he had occupied iho position, and he (Mr Tnlbuys) was sure that no one envied him the position. _ . Mr Quelch, in seconding, said that Mr Knight had been a most painstaking chairmam Ho had worked most enthusiastically and successfully in the interests of the hoard. He was a man who made very few mistakes. The motion was carried unanimously. Mr Knight returned thanks. The chairman's honorarium was fixed at ■ £IOO for the year. THE LATE Mil STEVENSON. The Chairman moved—That the sincerest sympathy of the hoard he conveyed to Mrs Stevenson (wife) and Mr Isaac Stevenson (father) upon the severe loss they have sustained by the death of their husband and son, the late Mr John M'Donald Stevenson, Mayor of Port Chalmers.” The late Mr Stevenson, he said, had been a member and chairman of the Port Chalmers Cottage Hospital Committee for some considerable time, and his services thereon were much appreciated. It was worthy to note that almost his last act on the committee was presiding at the official opening of the new women’s ward. The board deplored the loss of so promising a citizen of Port Chalmers, where his services had been of so much benefit. The motion was carried in silence. HOSPITAL MANAGEMENT. Mrs Macdonald, in accordance with notice, moved—That a committee of the whole board he set up for the purpose of inquiring into the management of all departments and institutions under the control of the board.” She said that during her visits to the hospital she had been struck by the absence of labor-saving contrivances*, and with these there would be a corresponding belter treatment of the patients. The methods of feeding the patients were unscientific and extravagant. Mr Quelch seconded the motion. He raid that there were a number of mailers that might be inquired into. The departments were costing the board a great deal more than formerly, and there were fewer patients in the hospital than there were a. few years ago. Air Dove said that ho had visited the hospital on numerous occasions, and could sec nothing wrong with the food. Mr TaTnoys said that it wanted onlyone patient to complain about Iho food to cause trouble in a ward. The Chairman said that they had a number of committees of the board already. and to appoint a committee of the whole board would only mean duplicating what was aheady being done. 'The motion was carried without dissent. GENERAL. The Secretary of the Children s Hospital and Play-fields forwarded a cheque for £3O as a donation to the board’s funds.— Received with thanks. Dr Ncwhrnds, hon. treasurer of the honorary medical .staff, forwarded a donation of £4so.—Received, with thanks. The Secretary of the NYrth Canter-bun Hospital Board wrote that at a .meeting of the board it was decided—“ That the North Canterbury Board invites the Hospital Boards in New Zealand to urge the Government to appoint a commission to inquire into the prevalence of venerea! disease in New Zealand, and to suggest the best means of combating the disease,” He asked that in the event of the board agreeing with the resolution representations be made to tlie local mcmhcis of Parliament.—Referred to the honorary medical staff to repost. The .Secretary of tho North Canterbury Board wrote asking the board s support in making representation to the Government that cases of senile dementia should be housed in institutions other than mental hospitals or gaols.—Referred to the medical superintendent to report to the Hospital Committee.

Miss M. L. Roberts was appointed to the position of second instructor in massage, at a salary of £3OO per annum, subject to certain "amended conditions as to holidays. Out of sixty applications, (Mr H. Ecclcs was appointed to the position of bookkeeper for the stores department, at a salary of £2OB per annum. Several members expressed their appreciation of the work done by Mr and Mis Port eons at the Benevolent Institution.