SCHOOL DENTAL CLINIC

Greymouth Evening Star, 31 May 1935, Page 2

SCHOOL DENTAL CLINIC

COMMITTEE’S ANNUAL MEETING.

The annual meeting of the Greymouth Dental Clinic Committee was held in the Grey Main School last evening, there being present: Messrs R. A. Barrowman (chairman), A. M. Carroll, U. Mettrick, J. Gallagher, J. C. H. McDonald (secretary), Very Rev. Father J. Long, Mesdames E. McDonnell, J. Reeves, and McDougall. The dental nurse, Miss G. Shallcrass, was also present. The annual report, as already published in the “Star,” was read and adopted. The statement of receipts and expenditure for the year ending March 31, 1935, was presented as follows: — Receipts: Balance at bank and cash in hand £3/5/3; levy on parents £2B 17/6; proceeds Shop Day £26/19/11; proceeds Druids’ ball £4/7/10; discount W. Scott 6d.—Total £63/11/-. Expenditure: Department of Health

£4O; exchange on cheques 1/-; clean

ing clinic £5/2/-; laundry £4/0/6; heating, electric light and radiator £5 5/9; gas £2/9/4; sundries, paint, etc., £l/8/-; printing, stationery and stamps £l/16/2; bank fees £1; cartage 3/-; cash in hand 6d, at Bank of New Zealand £l/14/9, £l/15/3. — Total £63/11/. Liabilities: Department of Health £47; balance owing on additions £9

19/11; laundry £l/8/4; Greenhill (cartage) 9/6; Kent (signwriting) 5/-; “Argus” (printing) 7/6; gas 6/9; ele’ctfic light 2/5; cleaning £1

10/-.—Total £6l/9/5. Assets.—Credit balance at Bank of New Zealand £l/14/9; dr. balance £ 59/14/B.—Total £6l/9/5. The statement was received and adopted. In reply to Mrs McDougall, the secretary said that from the receipts it seemed that only about 50 per cent, of the parents were paying the levy.

Members commented on the large number of non-payers. The Chairman said the question would have to be discussed and settled finally soop, as the expenses of the clinic, owing to the increasing work were getting larger all the time. Mr Gallagher said that each case, where the parents claimed inability to pay, should be .considered by the committee.

The Secretary said the levy was 2/6 per annum, per child, with a maximum of 5/- for any one family. So far, however, • though there were many non-payers, no child had been refused treatment. Mr Mettrick said he thought some of the people who were able to pay, were playing on the generosity of the committee. Miss Shallcrass said that in Wellington, any people claiming inability to pay, were required to furnish a statement of income and liabilities to the Director-General of Health, who decided whether or not, free treatment should be given. A similar scheme might be worked in Greymouth.

On the motion of the chairman and Mr Gallagher, it was decided that in future, no free treatment be given, and that any person claiming inability to pay be required to apply to any individual member, who should have the power to grant or refuse free treatment, written permission to be givbn in genuine cases for the information of the nurse.

Mrs Reeves volunteered to collect the levies from the schools. The election of officers resulted:— Chairman, Mr R. A. Barrowman (reelected); secretary, Mr J. C. H. McDonald (re-elected); Treasurer, Mr A. M. Carroll (re-elected); auditor, Mr H. Herring (re-elected). Replying to Mrs McDougall, the chairman said the committee had made one application for a share in the profits of an art mnion, but had been unsuccessful.

It was decided to make another application to the Minister of Interna] Affairs for a share in art union profits, and to enlist assistance of Mr J. O’Brien, M.P.

On the motion of the chairman, it was decided that letters of appreciation of their services to the clinic be forwarded tp Nurse K. Thomson (transferred), Nurse P. Sam ways (who has resigned), Mr A. D. Brice (district supervisor), who has been transferred to Wellington, and Mr H Herring (auditor).. The chairman announced that the Director-General of Hygiene, Mr Saunders, will make his annual visit to the West Coast shortly.—lt was decided to call a meeting of parents, all school authorities, teachers, and all others interested, to met Air Saunders.

Iho secretary and the treasurer were authorised to pay accounts as funds become available.. The action of members of commitwL"/ arranging a Presentation to Miss Thomson was approved. A vote of thanks was accorded the pScity d Stati ° n 3Z -’ for valuable