WAIPIATA SANATORIUM

Evening Star, Issue 18810, 8 December 1924, Page 4

WAIPIATA SANATORIUM

MEETING OP COMMITTEE. SATISFACTORY PROGRESS WITH BUILDINGS. The contractors are making good procress with the erection of the buildings connected with tho Waipiata Sanatorium, and it is anticipated that at on early date the committee will be able to treat all early cases from the districts of the Associated South Island Boards who- are desirous of obtaining sanatorium treatment. On Wednesday last the committee paid a visit of inspection to the institution, and the members wore conducted over the buildings by tho architect (Mr E. R. Wilson) and the contractor (Mr W. M'Lellan). The nurses* homo is completed and furnished, and has been occupied by the staff for the last two or three weeks. The female dormitory pavilion is now getting the finishing touches at tho hands of the painters, and Mill be ready for occupation within tho next week or ten days, while the kitchen and patients’ dining room block is in practically the same position, and the inside finishing of the medical superintendent's residence is receiving attention.

Members of the committee were very favorably impressed with the substantial nature of the building and the fine work that has been done by the contractor. Tho latter hopes to have all the present building programme completed by February or March next year. The committee, under the direction of Mr James Ritchie, Cromwell, also inspected the water race and the site for the dam, and arrangements have been made to have the outlet sluice valve fitted up at an early stage, so, that everything will be in readiness for the generation of electricity for lighting, heating, and power as soon as the plant, which has already been ordered from tho manufacturers, comes to hand. In the course of the afternoon the committee, at the invitation of Matron Wilson and her staff, had afternoon tea at the nurses’ home. The Chairman (Mr Mathoson), in a few remarks, thanked Miss Wilson and staff, and took occasion to compliment tho members of the'' committee, architect, and builder on the fine progress and satisfactory nature of the work that had been carried out during the past fifteen months.

The committee met- on Wednesday evening,' Mr J. Matheson presiding. Messrs Simes, Peck, and Laverty offered tire committee certain water rights which might be of service to it.—Messrs Ritchie and Scott were deputed to inspect the rights, and report to next meeting, The Medical Superintendent reported that there were nineteen patients in the institution. He also reported on his visit to Invercargill, Oamaru, and Timaru, and on the need of ordering the furnishings required for the male patients’ pavilion now in the course of erection. The matron’s requisition for dining room and kitchen requirements was granted, and she was authorised to spend up to £lO in extras for the patients at Christmas. Owing to the nurses’ home having become available during the month for staff requirements, the doctor had been able to make use of the shelters previously occupied by the staff for the use of patients, and ho and the matron were thanked by the committee for their assistance in this matter.

The Secretary rtported that at present there were sixteen suitable patients on the waiting list, and it was hoped that as soon as tiro new pavilion was opened beds would be found for all these.

The Architect (E. R. Wilson) reported very fully on the progress of the work, and submitted details of certain extras that bad been already approved by the committee, which, considering the large amount of money involved in the contract, were considered a very small proportion indeed. . The question of grading the entrance ami roadways to the different buildings was considered, and the matter left in the hands of Mr Scott to approach the Maniototo County Council for the services of its engineer (Mr Butler) to lay off the work, with a view to obtaining "prices. The Contractor for laying down tennis courts reported that all "the. material was 4> now ready, and he hoped to commence the actual lading of the court in a week’s time.

It was decided to leave the matter of the fixing of sluice gate and pipe connections from syphon to site of dam in the hands of Mr Ritchie to have the work done.

The Treasurer reported that there was a credit balance at date at the Bank of New Zealand, Invercargill, of £4,785 9s 9d. Accounts and salaries totalling £3,950 6s Id were passed for payment. Considerable discussion took place as to the carriage of goods from Waipiata to the sanatorium, and on suggestions that the committee should purchase a motor truck for the work. Eventually Mr Ritchie gave notice of motion—“ That the question of transport of goods and patients by mfttor bo dealt with at the next meeting of the committee.” Mr Scott reported that the Minister of Marine was arranging for the supply of a suitable set of meteorological instrumnets to be placed in charge of the medical superintendent of the sanatorium, and the secretary was directed to forward the thanks of the committee to the Minister and Mr Scott for their interest in this matter.

The question of water-softening was introduced by Mr Malcolm, on whose motion it was agreed—“ That the offer of Dr Crawshaw (Medical Officer of Health) to have the water at the sanatorium analysed and reported on bo accepted with thanks, and the chairman and secretary to report to next meeting as to the cost of installing a water-softening plant at the institution.”

It was decided that the next meeting of the committee be held in Dunedin on January 27, 1925.

Mr Matheson spoke with reference to the need for providing musical and other entertainment for patients and the staff at the sanatorium who were living a long way from the centre of civilisation, ana suggested that each member of the committee should do his best to interest the residents and members of the respective boards in the matter of raising sufficient funds in each district towards the purchase of a gramophone and piano for the use of the patients and staff. The members present promised to do what they could in tho direction of filling this want in the social life of the little community at Wfcipiata. The Chairman took the opportunity of thanking the members of Mho committee for the fine work they had done during tho past year, and for their loyal and sympathetic interest in the service they had ..undertaken, and he wished them all the compliments of the season. The chairman’s good wishes were reciprocated by Mr Ritchie, Mr Potts, and other members, and a comprehensive resolution of thanks and good wishes was recorded to the medical, nursing,’ and administrative staff, officers of the Department of Health, architect, and contractor.