SOUTH OTAGO NOTES

Evening Star, Issue 22754, 15 September 1937, Page 7

SOUTH OTAGO NOTES

HOSPITAL BOARD TKe monthly meeting of the South Otago Hospital Board was held on Tuesday, when Mr A. Rennie presided. The medical superintendent (Dr D. G. Radcliffc) reported on the following admissions and discharges for August, the figures for the corresponding month last year also being given in parentheses: — Balelutha Hospital: Admissions 69 (53), discharges 66 (53), remaining 49 (47) ; X-ray treatment 21 (17), massage o.p. 51 (59). Milton Hospital: Admissions 11 (U), discharges 7 (13), remaining 9 (8). Owaka Hospital: Admissions 16 (12), discharges 15 (9), remaining 11 (7). Kaitangata Hospital: Admissions 10 (4), discharges 8 (5), remaining 4 (0), out patients 13 (13). —Received. The Treasurer’s statement showed that receipts since last meeting totalled £4,603 3s sd, and expenditure £2,021 . 14s lOd. Maintenance payments to date totalled £10,377 19s Id; capital expenditure £3,226 12s 9d. Debit balance at August 31. 1937, £1,633 19s 6d, compared with £4,234 5s 5d at August 1, 1937. . , Dr T. M'Kibhin, medical officer of health, forwarded analysis _ of water taken from Balelutha Hospital supply, and reported that it was of excellent quality.—Received; satisfaction being expressed at the report. Dr M. H. Watt, Director-General of Health, forwarded a report from Dr R. A. Shore, director, division of hospitals, relative to the proposed T.B. block at Balelutha Hospital. He stated that he had conferred with the board members, medical superintendent, and matron, and it had been pointed out that the department could not agree to an extension of the present wards, and recommended that these patients _ be accommodated in a separate building. Dr Watt went on to say that the proposal of the South Otago Board to provide for 14 beds was in excess of present requirements. Dr M'Kibbin had stated that he had about 100 names on the tuberculosis register in South Otago area, and it was quite reasonable to assume that a small proportion of these would require hospital treatment. However, the greatest number under treatment at any one time was five, and he therefore considerd that provision for three patients of each sex would he sufficient at present. Another urgent requirement at Balelutha was a special w'ard for children,, who at present occupy the same wards or verandahs as adults. If the verandahs were nob reserved for T.B. patients they could ho used for children and so provide the much-needed separation. He therefore recommended that the hoard build a separate annexe with accommodation for six patients, and that it be built on the area in front of the isolation block. Dr Watt suggested that the board act on the recommendations of Dr Shore, and pointed out that tho building did not require to provide for recreation rooms, nor need it be elaborate or built of permanent material. Mr D. M'Gregor said he understood there was only one patient at present in the Balelutha Hospital, whereas a few months ago they had several. If the same rate of decrease followed they would shortly have none, and he could not see how the board could maintain a separate staff for one patient. He thought it would be advisable to hold the_ matter in abeyance seeing that the national health insurance scheme was likely to soon be in existence. It would be better to send this one patient to a locality more suitable—they would only bo shortening his life if be was kept here. Until they saw whether the number of patients would warrant going ahead with the building they should hold, the matter oyer. He would move in that direction. There was no seconder. Mr T. H. Russell said be was in favour of going ahead with tho building. The doctor said they had 100 cases in South Otago, and they did not know whether they were chronic or not. He would like to know what had happened at Waipiata Sanatorium Committee meeting. The Chairman said that the associated boards represented agreed that each board should provide for its own chronic cases, as by so doing it would not be sending them away from their relatives and they would receive more home comforts. Mr Russell said he was pleased to hear this. Mr M'Gregor said he was quite agreeable to this providing the patients were sent to a more congenial locality. Mr Russell then moved that the board go on with the building as recommended by Dr Shore. Mr J. W. Fenton seconded, and said the board three months ago had decided to build a block. They then had six or seven patients at Balelutha. By some mysterious force .four or five of these had been transferred to Waipiata, leaving now; only one. He considered this was done to make the South Otago Board look ridiculous by building a special block for one patient. They never knew when their incipient patients would become chronic, and they should be prepared for them. Mr W. J. M'Kenzie said he was not against tho proposal to build, but he .thought they should give a little attention to tho site. The one suggested by Dr Shore was not the most suitable. Mr W. Sutherland said the explanation of the removal of the patients to v Waipiata was a simple one. Dr Kidd had been absent, and when he oame back he had ordered their removal. He did not think there was any question of working a “ schlinter.” He did not favour the site suggested, as it was too far away from the main building. Mr Fenton: The most vacillating hoard I ever struck. A Voice: You’re a member. Mr Fenton: Yes, I know. Mr Brough said they should stick to the original site, and he would move as an amendment that the building be gone on with, but on a site between the isolation block and the main building. Ho also thought they should put up something durable. Mr A. King seconded. Mr Fenton pointed out that the site in tho amendment was the one condemned by the departmental officer, who had also condemned the “ dog box ” erected for the house surgeon. He then went on to harangue the board for its change of attitude, and there were cries of “ Order, order,” hut the speaker continued despite these. Mr Ji'Gregor: There is too much diversity of opinion as to site. Tho Chairman said they had good reasons for changing their minds, and in reply to an interjection by Mr Fentop said that good men changed their minds, but machines did not. Tho site suggested by Dr Shore was out of the question, owing to tho expense incurred in preparing it. Mr Fenton: I think the sooner wo move for amalgamation with the Otago Board the better. The Chairman thought they should go on with tho building as suggested by Dr Shore, but adhere to tho original site. , On a vote being taken the amendment was carried, Messrs Fenton and Russell

voting against it and Mr M'Gregor refraining from voting. A communication was received from the Labour Department citing the board as party to a dispute to be heard regarding gardeners and other labourers’ wages. The hours suggested were 40 per week, no work on Saturdays; the wages to he £5 10g for gardeners and £4 for labourers. This caused Mr M'Gregor to say_ that the present Government was riding this thing to death. It was quite impossible to carry on if these agreements were made. He went on to refer to the fact that the board wag writing off accounts of those able to pay, and m fairness to the ratepayers who had to carry on the expense of the hospitals they should know the position. He would move idiat a list of defaulters be prepared, and that any ratepayer h© allowed to peruse this. He was quite sure that there were quite a number w;ho would not like it known that they were defaulters. It wr.s appalling the amount that was written off, and this should not b© in view of tho increased wages now being paid to everyone. If the suggested wages were agreed to it would mean ■ a reduction of staff. It was ridiculous to suggest that no work he done on Saturdays unless double time was paid. No industry could stand it, much less hospital hoards. * Mr J. Christie seconded. Mr Fenton Mr M'Gregor to name any account written off where tho patient was in a position to pay. Mr M‘Gregor: Bunkum. Mr Fenton: Bunkum nothing. They had found when certain people had died that the agents had the money and tho estates were worth nothing. He could not support the motion. He represented the ratepayers as did other members, and if a member did not think ho had the confidence of these ratepayers then ho should make room for someone else. It was throwing good money after had in suing for accounts in many cases, and he would bo the first to make inquiries if Mr M'Gregor would give him tho name of any account writen off where the patient could pay. Mr M'Gregor said he knew of cases where the hoard had been lenient and the paities concerned had not expected such leniency. Messrs Brough and M'Kenzie said the discussion was out of order, but Mr Fenton _ considered they should object to the innuendoes of Mr M'Gregor. Mr M'Gregor maintained that no investigation was made of these accounts. They siniply_ took the patients’ word for their position. Tho motion was lost, only the mover and seconder voting for it. Mr Brough moved—“ That this board hero assembled congratulates the Govorenmont ou its intention to place upon the Statute Book of New Zealand during the present session tho National Health Insurance Act, and wishes, iho

Government every success in placing this worthy service within the reach of the people.” In m.oving tho motion Mr Brough said the South Otago Board had pioneered the scheme since 1924, and the present Government was now going to give them what they had tried to get for years. In seconding, Mr Fenton said they had tried to get this scheme going 25 years ago, but without success. The Government was also to be congratulated on the proposed superannuation scheme, ■ which he thought would do much to eliminate unemployment, as when a man had clone his work he would retire and make room for young men who at present had to go on the unemployment books. _ The Chairman supported, and the motion. was carried unanimously. During the afternoon members w;ere the guests of the chairman at afternoon tea, and appreciation of his action was expressed by Mr Sutherland. RIFLE SHOOTING The following are the scores in the postal match fired between teams representing the Balelutha and Imperial Ex-servicemen’s (Dunedin) Clubs, the former winning by 17 points:— Balelutha.—R. Arhuthuott 78, C. Clode 74, C. Sharpe 76, E. C. Sim 79, D. H. Tilson 79, B. Renton 75, G. Sinclair 74, D. Malcolm 74, 11. M'Bride 75, C. Falconer 74; total, 768. Imperial Ex-servicemen.—A. Parker 79, R. Leslie, jun., 79, I. Whyte 77, S. Wanty 75, T. Wadsworth 75, L. Laycock 74, J. Gawne 73, S. F. Lunn 72, H. S. Skinner 71, J. Ferguson 66; total, 741. FOOTBALL The 1937 Rugby season will officially close in South Otago on Saturday, when the final of the “ knockout ” cup competition will be played between Crescent and Clutha seniors at Balclutha, when a really good game should bo seen. As a curtain raiser to this gaiqe a seven-a-siclo tournament will be conducted by teams from tho various young farmers’ clubs in South Otago. Some six or seven teams will take part, and some interesting games should be seen. On September 23 Crescent Club will celebrate its fiftieth anniversary, ivhen matches will be played between the club’s third grade team and Clinton and Southern and the seniors. At night a jubilee banquet will bo held. Clutha Club is arranging a gala day for the same date in an effort to raise funds for injured players.