WESTPORT NOTES

Grey River Argus, 24 April 1931, Page 7

WESTPORT NOTES

i (From Our Correspondent.) WESTPORT, April 23. The Deninston mine will resume operations to-morrow; the dispute over the power house men being denied full shifts on occasions having been referred to a Disputes Committee. The date on which it is to sit has yet to be fixed. W’hen the proposal came before ithe Union to-day, it was stated that the company had agreed in future, to make every effort to ensure full shifts at the power house. The dispute at the Charming Creek mine is being referred to a meeting convened to be held at Granity. but it is being delayed to enable Mr D. Hayward. President of the Denniston Union, to be present.

Westport is to have contests both for tlio Mayoralty and Council, as well as the Hospital Board. Messrs Jas. H. Harkness (sitting mayor) aud Geo. Scandia It. are the Mayoral candidates. Only three of the old Councillors are standing again, namely, Messi’s John Railford J. M. Robertson, and H. It. Young. The new candidates are Messrs .Win. Caldwell. John Colville-Cook. Edwa’d R. Fox, W. J. Hart. Arthur W.

illeu'.cy, Sidney Higgins, Fred Keating. iKoland S. Knight, Alex G. Marshall, ■John O. L. Nahr. I’ravers ißoac.h, and C. H. Thomas. Miss Agnes ! L. Holland is a candidate for the HosIpital Board, also Messrs W. Caldwell. IF. IL Fox, 11. Nahr. 11. IL Young, and !C. H. Thomas. Three representatives are • required. , As previously reported. Captain M. i c. McGregor is once more in Westport. I After iiaviag a cup of tea Tuesday afternoon he gave his plane another hjlv around ami then anchored for the 11 night. On Wednesday he made arI rangements with the Westport Jockey j Club and the Westport Golf Club to I utilise the racecourse during his stay.

Captain McGregor thinks u will nmK< :an admirable landing and take-oil I ground. Passengers, of whom the plant

is eapal/e of carrying two- at a time, will be given Hights at 12/6 a flight. Lieut. Quiller’s arrangements for a parachute < I escent, are not yet known, although in conversation with your coirespondent he stated definitely that he would make his descent on Saturday. Lt appears as though no amount of argument will convince l G cal bodies and others that reducing wages is not in the interests of the town or country. If the spending power is reduced, business people will probably find that ‘‘business as usual’’ is an impossibility, bringing about, empty shops, inability to coJect rates, and an adverse balance next year. The Buller' Hospital Board has decided tc advertise the position of resident doctor for the District Hospital at a salaiy of £350 a year. Board members consider that the saving in anaesthetic administration fees will go a long way towards the payment of the salary. There will, of course, be some other things to be taken into l consideration, such as Jiving quarters, bath room and sitting room.

Mr Head. Master of the Old People’s Home, has received a bonus of £5 5/-. He had made a profit on. the poultry (t £2OB 5/-. and a profit out of the garden of £l2l 7s 2d for the year. The Chairman described this as a great performance.

The Hospital Board received a reply rom the Borough Council that the later could not permit the former Io ‘i-ect an electric lighting line ffom

the Hospital across Packington Street. r J he Board resolved to consult the Pub-j lie Works Department as to the legal position. In regard to this phase of the question it might save trouble if] the Board were acquainted with the j Borough Council’s bye-law, made at the initiation of the electric, lighting scheme, forbidding private wires to ; cros* thoroughfares. At that time j there were one or two private, firms, operating electrical plants and they had to be stopped. Of course, the Hos-1 pita I Board is not a private concern. J At the County Council meeting. Cr. I Hawes introduced a deputation com prising Messrs Warner and Hanes (Denniston) and Messrs McGregor and (Hark (Millerton), who explained they represented the people of those towns. Thee asked that the sanitation rate be reduced to 30/- instead of 35/-. Mr Warren stated that the rate had recenilv been increased and the people o f Denniston considered that thY imposition was unnecessary. Mr Hawes quoted figures showing that the income was greater than the expenditure basing his estimate on the. original charge. There was n surplus without the extra. 5/-. lie thought the old charge should be sufficient. Cr. Griffiths; “How do vou account for the losses we have had.’ 11 Mr Hawes: “Possibly 1 have not allowed for defaulters.” Air Clark (Millerton) said (he figures showed die scheme eoujd be made self-support-ing. Air McGregor quoted figures to show that the sehvme in Millerton should pay for itself at the <nd rate. r rhere were a number of ilefaulters. Cr. Powell: “Don’t you think it is a cheap service at 35/-?” Mr Clark thought a profit should not be made • •nt °f it* 1 he deficit was due to defaulters, and it’ was uot right that the willing should pay for the rest. Cr. Hawes said the Denniston scheme had paid foi’ the past two years ami there was no occasion to rai>c the rate. Cr. Snodgrass, to the deputation: “Would vou be willing to take over the service vcurse’.ves; ” Mr McGregor: “That’s not the point.” The Chairman (Mr ,1. Niven) hoped the people did not think the county was desirous of making anoney out of the schemes, but it was necessary that they be self-sup-I porting. He realised things were had I ij] Alillorton and concessions had been i made in that direction, as arrears were ; not being sued for. Subsequently Cr. Mclntyre moved and Cr. Hawes sec-

onded that the rate be reduced to 30/-. The motion was lost. It was decided to re-open the subject when the next estimates were brought down, with a view to removing the additional charge of 5/-. Lovers of the chrysanthemum will be pleased to know that an exhibition of blooms is to be held in this town. A committee of the Methodist Church has arranged for a show to be held in about a month’s time. Owing to the precarious position of the County Council finances, the Council has decided to set up a special finance committee consisting of Crs. Niven. Powell and Mclntyre.

Mr L. E. Morgan’s car caught tire while in Palmerston Street, on Tuesday. The blaze was extinguished by beating it with sacks and the damage was nun extensive. •

When the Hospital Board members visited the Kawatiri Maternity Hospital this week, they took the opportunity of making a small presentation to the Matron (Mr s Penseler). They presented her with a silver teapot as a token of esteem from the members of the Board and congratulated her on her recent marriage.

In the annual report, the chairman .of the Buller Hospital Board. Hon W. H. Mclntyre stated:

Last year. 513 patients were admitted. the average daily number of beds l occupied being 36. This year there were 720 admissions and the average daily number of occupied beds were within a fraction of 51 (50.9). Considering the great increase in the number of patients treated the fact that the year closed with a nett debit of only £220 seems quite satisfactory. The , number of operations last year was. 312. This year 354. This, of course, has also added to the expense. During the year a new X-ray plant was installed through the generosity of the public in providing, together with Government subsidy, the necessary funds, altogether over £lOOO. During the year a Detention Ward b;i: been a bled. At Kawatiri Maternity Hospital also j there has been an increase in Hie num- ’ ber of clients and the institution now, :n the matter of accommodation and equipment. compares favourably with! any similar institution in the Dominion. At the Old People's Home also there has been an increase of inmates —in fact, the accommodation has mostly been taxed to its ful-est extent, the a\eragc number of inmates, being 29 as against 25 last year. During the year, this institution ha been re-roofed and painted. 1 take this opportunity of congratulating Mr aiir Mrs Head upon the manner in which they have conducted the Home. By degrees, the Hospital is being made nioic efficient. There are still a few additions required. The present method of heating is not etlicient and should be superseded as soon as 'possible. An out-patients’ theatre is I also required and additional lavatory {accommodation iu the male ward, t Just before the close of the year, ! Kawatiri Maternity Hospital was made a training school for maternity nurses. This will be a boon to t.h°- s e of our nui" Cs who. having finished their gen-i-e.-al training at the Buller Hospital, ilesire to undergo the maternity course, lit will also tend to lessen the salary account of the institution and general|lv speaking its status is enhanced, i There is one matter, however, in con-

nection with the work of the past year which i> -mt a subject for congratulation. I refer to the very large increase in the amount of out door relief dispensed. It shows that, like the rest of the Dominion, we are going through an economic depression. Air Hawes remarked on the excellence of the revolt and said the chairman had been a tower of strength to the Board, lhe i financial position reflected great credit on the Chairman and the Secretary. He moved that the Board accord the Chairman and Secretary thanks for the good work done. Mr Powell seconded the motion. He thought some economy would have to be affected at the Maternity Home, which showed a de bit of £l4OO. Otherwise he did not think they could very well run the hospital on less money. —Mr Fox agreed with Mr Powell. They did not exi ect the Maternity Home to be a paying institution but the expenses of the Maternity Home were unduly high. He thanked the chairman for his complimentary references to.members of the Board, particularly the Town members. The remarks were endorsed by Messrs Caldwell. Griffiths, and Niven, the lastnamed stating none of them expected the finances to turn out as well as they did He hoped to see all present membeis returned at the coming elections. Th? Chairman acknowledged the com'|’l i mentary remarks and said, while town and country interests might clash at some time, they were all working in the interests of the community. He wished members the very best success at the coming elections.

I Messrs Forbes. Aiken (Tiroroa), Iphilip (Seddonville), Whittle. HewetIspn. Simp on, Hamilton (Denniston), j Finlayson and Birchfield (Millerton), a • deputation from the Medical Associations, waited on the Buller Hospital Board in regard to operation fees. Mr Whittle said they were there at the request of the Hospital Board, ami wanted to hear what the Board had to say in putting the charge on to the individuals- The chairman said it was not necessary to convert him on opera- . tion fees; some other members had to | be convinced. He understood that the i Medical Associations would oppose the l operation fees. The Secretary said as ’the result cf the Board bringing operation foes into existence, individuals | had been charged for operations. They had i rotested to their organisations and it was suggested that the organisations pay a minimum Hat rate and thus relieve the members. He thought • if a low fiat rate was adopted the As- ' sociali"ns would meet the liabilities. /For minor operations, fees were 1 to I guineas and for major 3 to 10 guineas j The whole question was whether the [ Board wou'd make a reasonable fiat j rate. Mr Whittle talked this matter lover with Tiroroa and they communiI rated with the Board to accept a flat irate and relieve the individuals. He I took it that Denniston, Millerton a id |Btorktou Associations refused to pay i the fees It was to be the obligation ,< f the Board to collect the fees itself. | The Associations paid 50 per cent, i maintenance fees now. It could not I collect 30 per rent, of operation fees. 'lf they were to impose the operation ! fees, the Medical Associations might cancel the present agreements and let the Beard collect the tiiniiiten«nee fees • from the individuals. The Medical As- - sociations were unanimous not to pay operation fees. There wa? £7OO outl| standing on Denniston books. This L |v.as liquidated mu' D <• Asso< .••.lions ‘.paid *lO per cent. T •»».*»nt-er.unce fees. • So 'far as Denniston was concerned', - there was nothing owing in mainten

ance fees. Millerton were hard pressed at the present time. They should realise that the Associations were playing fair and should reconsider their decision and leave things as at the present time. Air Forbes said that at Tiroroa they were quite prepared to meet the Board o» a fiat rate, but after hearing the views of the other Associations, they agreed to fall i u with them. M. Birchfield Millerton) said his Association could not sec their way clear to pay maintenance fees and also operation fees. Air He wet son (Denniston) said th? debts were liquidated and other payments brought up to date. Members , were levied 1/- a fortnight to liquidate the debt. On top of that they were to be saddled with operation fees. Nine children were sent down and the charges were £2 2s operation. £1 Is anaesthetic fees. What chance had the Board of getting these fees

fi' ; m the individuals? Mr Finlayson (Millerton) said he had been instructed from Denniston to get some assistance from the Board. Millerton Association had about £23 in the Post Office. It was two or three mouths behind with maintenance fees and so could not meet operation fees also. M r Hamilton (Denniston) said they were demanding a decrease and could not pav an increase. Mr Simpson (Denniston) asked if the maintenance fees were not raised from £2 2s to £3 3s to cover operation fees. Air Caldwell: “Yes.” Mr Simpson said they could send patients to Christchurch and wcu-d be charged only 31/6 there on operations fees. Since he was Secret-

ary of the Denniston Committee, for • some eight years, he found the Hospital Board were always chasing them ■ up for more fees. They would be reverting back to the old custom, for the Board to collect from those it could. ■ Mr Forbes said in asking for free operations they were asking for ail of their members. The Chairman said the Board would consider the whole ques- ' tion. It was quite expected the Associations would oppose the imposition of the operation fees. He thought they were abolished for all time. The cost •<*.:• occupied bed was just under 16 a day. so that when they paid only 4/6 a day the Hospital was losing 9/6 a day. It was recognised that many people* would n"t be able to pay operation fees, but it was considered that many in the district were able to pay and who could not pay, but was making it possible for those who could not pay to .- something. The fees fixed v regarded as extremely moderate. Operations which would cost elsewhere £4O to £5O were being done here for £lO. Those who could not pay would not be charged. It was recognised that Millerton c :i uld not pay. It had 1 done we’l in the past and so had Denniston. Ho did n<>t want to see the ! present agreement scrapped. The Board [would into the matter and advise I them of the posit ion. in reply to an inquiry, whether the Associations were prepared to make an offer, Mr Whittle replied in the negative. Mr Fox said that every Hospital was going back to operation fees. I He stressed the Board’s need for finances; the large number of operations, many on strangers to the town, and the need 1 ’ 0r niaking further charges to meet the financial circumstances.—Air Hawes, while he opposed operation fees suggested that the Associations might make an offer i u view of the wide disparity between the cost, to the Board per patient and the return from the Association per patient. Mr Whittle again raised the Alaginnity case and thought the Board should have given more consideration in this rase. Mr

Forbes said the Board had given Tiroroa every consideration. He could n“t agree with all Air Whittle said. Mr Whittle said as the result of the deputation, they understood the Board s position better and the Board probab-y under-f o<.<l theirs. In reply to Air

Whittle, the Board agreed to meet the ; travelling expenses of the delegates to this deputation. ' 'l’he deputation thanked the Board and withdrew. Air Fox moved that the matter be held over until the next 1 meeting. Mr Powell objected to the threat, i The Board wanted some recognition' for the service they gave. If one of i them went to Nelson or Christchurch, they would have to pay the charges. Some patients paid £3 a week while < members of the Medical Association paid only 50 per cent. The Board ' had a good hospital, with one of the be* t Medical Superintendent’s in the country, and catered for the welfare of the community. Mr Niven did not. I feel disposed to give way. They would . gain £4OO t-r £5OO a year if they maintained the fees. He was not going to j be bluffed by Air Whittle. Mr Grif-| fiths thought the best way would be to ask the Medical Associations to ' pay 75 per cent, and get free opera- ' tions. Air Fox: Are we going to h«* dictated to by the Medical Associa- i tions. I for one am not. The imposi- j tion of a small few—it is small in comparison with the fees elsewhere—should , not be objected to. In fact, they said, j 1 “We arc God and you are the Devil.’’/ He would not back down. The chairman: Would you extend to them the same concession on operation fees as on maintenance ? Air Hawes moved ac-| cordingly. seconded by Air Caldwell and carried. An honest effort to protect native’ fauna is being made by Airs Watson' of Granity. but she has been hindered ip this by trespassers with gu.is and.’ dogs. In this connection she wrote to the Department of Internal Affairs; and the following is an extract from; the reply;—“l have to advise you that ; there is no provision under the Ani-i •_ mals Protection and Game Act fo r declaring the area a sanctuary when it. becomes unlawful for any person t<>' take < r kill in the area, any imported

or native game <r for any person to take any dog or firearm into such area, or to discharge any firearm or 'explosive* in such area, or to do anything llke/v to cause any such animal (which includes birds) to leave such area.” ().i her property Mrs Watson has a

number of bell-birds, tuis, pukako, ducks, thrushes, bittern and smaller birds ami she wishes to givv, them every protection. She has now decided to prosecute in cases of trespassing.