KUMARA HOSPITAL TRUSTEES.

Greymouth Evening Star, 13 January 1904, Page 4

KUMARA HOSPITAL TRUSTEES.

(ouu OWN correspondent)

An adjourned meeting of the above Trustees was held last evening. Present :]M.essrs Holmer (chair), McGlone, Mulvihill, Rouse, Jorgensen, Payne, and the Rev. J R. Clark.

The business was to consider applications for the position of cook. There was only one applicant, Miss E. Aitken, who was highly recommended, and she received the appointment.

A discussion ensued on the question of defining the duties of the cook. A report was received from the doctor and the matron defining the duties. Mr Jorgensen proposed that the clause iraposiug o’n the cook the duty of keeping the matron’s room clean be deleted. He thought that the cook had euough to do in cooking for 31 patients and keeping the kitchen and pantry clean. Mr Rouse seconded and concurred with the previous speaker. Mr Payne opposed the motion holding that the duties as defined by the doctor and the matron were very light as compared with the agreement signed by the previous cook. Rev. Clark was opposed to the resolution because he thought that the duties of the cook as defined were very reasonable. It was necessary to keep proper discipline in the institution. In no other hospital was the matron asked to clean her own room. We should not be always behind the times. Ho moved an amerdment, that the duties of the cook defined by the doctor and the matron be adopted. Seconded by Mr Payne. Mr M‘Glone thought that the cook should not go beyond the cooking proper. He objected to her beingcompelled to clean the matron’s room. Mr Palmer supported the resolution. He thought that the cook had enough to do in cooking. Mr Haymes here entered and took bis seat.

Mr Payne thought that the dvtics as defined by the Doctor ibid matron were reasonable. Ho had never heard the cook complain about her duties before aud these were lighter. Sir Haymes supported the amendment.

Mr Jorgenson replied holding that the cook had much more work now than formerly in cooking. Amendment lost. The Rev, Clark moved a further amendment, that the cleaning of the matron’s room be relegated to the second probationer. Mr Jorgensen seconded pro forma. He held that the amendment was out of order, as deviating from the original resolution. They were dealing with the duties of cook. A lively discussion here ensued. Eventually on receiving an assurance that the amendment would be accept, d as a resolution later, the Rev. Clark withdrew it.

The resolution was put and carried

The Rev. Clark then moved that the matron’s room be done by the probationers. Seconded by Mr Mulvihill and carried.

The Secretary reported that the annual meeting of subscribers to the hospital takes place on Thursday next at 9 p.m. Business: To receive the annual report and balance-sheet, and to- elect one trustee.