INANGAHUA

Greymouth Evening Star, 28 March 1930, Page 8

INANGAHUA

COUNTY COUNCIL MEETING. [our own correspondent.] REEFTON, March 27. The monthly meeting of the Inangahua County Council was held to-day. Present: J. B. Auld (chairman) Crs. Clayton, Byrne, Panckhurst, Watson, Archer and Blackadder. The Mines Depatrment forwarded a copy of amended regulations under the Mining Act, 192 G, relative to assistance to prospecting; also advising that the following have been granted a reduction in rent: —(a) John A. Morris,, (b) New Keep-it-Dark Mines, Ltd. (in liquidation), (c) Progress Mines of N.Z., Ltd. . , . .. Minister of Internal Affairs advised that a public enquiry will be held at Greymouth re Town Planning.—Mr. Clayton was appointed as the Council’s delegate. The Chairman No. 12 District Main Highways Council advised that he was unable to recommend the purchase of tho 30cwt. lorry at the present time — Received. The District Engineer of the Public Works Department wrote on the matter of relief work for unemployed.— Various works to be examined with regard to this matter were refererd to the Engineer. John Banks wrote drawing attention to the state of the Waitahu Bridge, Gannon Road, and from the Minister of Mines advising that he is obtaining a report on the application for a grant for the bridge.

Secretary Alexander Mines, Ltd., wrote asking for repairs to road between Hukawai g,nd tire Company’s Snowy Creek depot. —Referred to the Engineer. Grant of £l5O to be applied for. Also asking for attention to Stevenson’s Flat to Alexander. —Engineer to confer with the Alexander Co. with authority to expend £lO. Tho Consolidated Goldfields of N.Z., Ltd., wrote asking for. permission to erect an aerial tram across Reefton — Maruia Road, near the old Crushington Hotel.—Permission granted on Engineer’s approval. Hugh Taylor wrote re culvert giving access to his property at Inangahua Junction. —Bridge to be made 10 feet wide, with stronger decking. A. Cohen wrote re drain at Black's Point.—Referred to Engineer. J. Banks wrote asking for refund of heavy traffic fees, as his lorry is now off the road. —Referred to County Clerk.

The reports of the sexton, poundkeeper, traffic inspector and engineer were read and considered.

The matter of attending to the painting of the cemetery fence •was left in the hands of the Engineer. In the matter of crates at Rotokohu, a report was asked for from Messrs. Mathieson and Brett. It was resolved to call fresh tenders for tho construction of Wiustanley Road, and cancel the existing contract. It was moved that the Traffic Inspector be instructed to refund the sum of 10/6, solicitor’s fee incurred in connection with the cost of prosecution in a cattle straying case.—The motion was lost.

That a copy of a letter received by a Councillor in connection with solicitor’s costs, in a recent cattle straying case, be sent was carried. It was resolved that the Council make representations to the Tourist Department for the immediate construction of a hostel at Maruia Springs. That the poundkeeper make et'ei-y effort to have all the dogs in the town registered. That the County Solicitor be given notice, under his agreement as County Solicitor, be terminated. That the Engineer be instructed to insist on the' return of timber taken from the County Chambers forthwith. That the Nelson Education Department be notified and instructed to demolish the schoolmaster’s residence on the Buller Road. That the Engineer attend to the removal of timber at the punt on the slip opposite Crushington. It was decided to make representations to the Royal Humane Society regarding the action of Claude Henry Newcombe in saving F. O’Flaherty’s daughter from drowning in the Inangahua River recently.

HOSPITAL BOARD MEETING [our own correspondent.] REEFTON, March 28. The monthly meeting of the Inangahua Hospital Board was held last evening, present Messrs J. B. Auld (chairman-, T. R. ’Watson, F. Seawright, J. O. Byrne, W. Blackadder, D. McKane, G. B. Mclnroe. 1 Frances Brown, Hokitika, applied for the position of probationer at Reefton. —Filed for reference. Olwyn Gibson wrote resigning her position as nrobatinupr nt Ronftnn

Hospital. The Waiuta Medical Association enclosed cheque for £37/10/-, monthly contribution, and stated that the number of poles required for the electric light was 14 and not less than five inches at the small end. Mr. Byrne said he was informed that the poles must be 25ft in length, as they were required to be not less than 18 feet over the ground. Mr. Mclnroe said he, would supply these when he had finished his present job. The Department of Health, Wellington, wrote stating that Reefton Hospital was approved as a limited training school for nurses and forwarding regulations. The secretary was instructed to notify the Medical Superintendent and Matron to that effect. The Waiuta Miners’ Medical Association wrote re sending all maternity eases to Reefton and stating that the

was opposed io 11, regarding it as a retrograde step. The Chairman moved that the association he advised that (lie fees at the Waiut.a Hospital remain as fixed by scale. Seconded by Mr. Watson and carried. The Reefton Electric Light Company .submitted estimate for installing lights at Reefton Hospital. This would total about £l5O, and was considered too high. Mr. McKane moved and Mr. Watson seconded that quotations be obtained from two Greymouth firms. The Secretary reported that the heater put into the operating theatre

nub auiiciuie, anu n was aecicieu Ito procure a quotation from a. wholesale firm. Mr. Seawright considered an isolation ward was required. They had one place, but no places for the isolation of the sexes. They had no proper isolation, and the Board would have to consider the provision for isolation. The Chairman said nothing under £lOOO was of any use. Mr. Seawright moved ami Mr. Blackadder seconded that £lOOO be placed on the estimates for this purpose. Reefton—The Medical Superintendent reported: Admitted 30, discharged 32, died 2. Remaining in 34, outpatients

3. Attendance on outpatients 31, opera- ■ tions 12, anaesthetics 12, births 4. ’ Matron Gibson reported. Sister Williams was engaged on March 6, on : special duty and is now relieving Sis ; ■ ter Hayner. Sister Curtis has also been engaged to relieve as we were short : staffed. Nurse Bierwirth underwent an ■ operation on Monday last and is pro- • gressing favourably. Nurse Olwyn Gib- !( son resigned her position as probationed and commences her general training at Nelson Hospital on April 12. It will be necessary to consider having two Sisters on the staff of the Hospital. The work has increased considerably during the last three years. At present Sister Rayner works a nine or ten hours’ duty every day and there still remains 14 hours for me to fulfil Matron and Sister duty combined. With the present staff of the hospital it is a physical impossibility. Re the new duty room —Before the

building proceeds it will be necessary ■ to instal drainage, hot and cold water pipes, electric lighting, also to arrange re a. suitable electric steriliser. An electric heater is urgently required for the operating theatre. We have been without means of heating the theatre since the earthquake occurred last June. Dr. Dawson paid a visit of inspection to our hospital on March 21. Waiuta—Matron Hunt-reported: Admitted 3, discharged 2, remaining in hospital 1, No. of outpatients 54, attendances 155, visits !). The rennrt« worn

The Secretary stated that 175 patients went through the hospital last year and he thought by March 31 the total would be 225 or 230. Resolved that applications be called for position of a. sister. It was decided to make farther enquiries regarding (he electric heating of a steriliser. The Chairman said the verandah had been practically renewed. In reply to Mr. McKane, he said that the washing tubs were under order. The secretary stated that Mr. Morris had asked if he could obtain the use of the plans of the maternity ward. The Board refused the request.