HOKITIKA NOTES

Grey River Argus, 12 February 1936, Page 2

HOKITIKA NOTES

(Our Own Correspondent.) HOKITIKA, February 11. To-morrow the annual Hokitika district schools’ excursion to Reefton, takes place. The train leaves at 7.45 o’clock, and arrives at Reotton at 11—, the return train leaving Reefton at 5.50 p.m. The Gael left Wellington last Toning for Tarakohe- and Hokitika. The sum of £5 16s was raised by subscription at the railway picnic on Suudav, when a collection was taken up on'behalf of Alma Hiftdinarsh, the young girl who was seriously injured at the Hokitika railway station last Wednesday. The house committee recommended to the Westland Hospital Board last evening, that Sister Gillespie, be appointed theatre sister, and that three probationers be appointed. 'The suggestions were adopted. The Board agreed to make an increase of £lO per annum in the salary of Sister McCallum. The Board congratulated tho Matron (Miss Anderson) upon her success in recent examinations, and expressed high appreciation of the manner in which Sister McCallum had carried on as acting-Matron during Miss Anderson's eight months’ absence. The Hospital Board met last evening. Present: Messrs E. W. Dutt (Chairman), E. L. Park, W. A. Jamieson, N. Brown, E. W. Heenan, W. H. Evemlen J. A. Murdoch, W. Jeffries and A. It. Eleoek. The Treasurer report, d receipts for the month £1373 18s Bd, expenditure £1363. Credit balance at bank £llB9 15s 9d. Grey Board forwarded cheque for £9O from Timber Workers’ Union —an old debt The ehairman said this represented the balance of the old account outstanding. A letter was received from tho Hokitika branch of the R.S.A., applying for a renewal of its medical agree ment with the Board, which would expire on April 30th. The term suggested for the renewal was three years. The chairman said he thought the Board should consider it. Arter a brief discussion, it was decided that the (Board, as at present advised could not extend the agreement for three years, but that it be renewed ror 12 months, and a further request for re newal would be favourably considered. A report was received from the Cashmere Sanatorium on the condition of the Board’s patients in the institution. Sister Gillespie was appointed Theatre Sister and the Matron was empowered to appoint three_ probationers to till vacancies caused by resignations. It was reported that so far, only one enquiry had been made regarding the position of doctor for Kumara. The Surgeon-Superintendent (Dr. B. J-.. Wilson) reported as follows; In hospital January Ist, 40 (January Ist, 1935, 38), admitted in January S 3 (66), treated 123 (104). discharged 66 (44), n hospital January 31st 31 (60), average of occupied beds 53 (51). A comprehensive report was received regarding plumbing repairs at the hospital. The Health Department wrote in connection with the building extension loan, stating that it was anticipated the Board’s application would be dealt with on February 11th, by the Local Bodies' Loans Board. The Grey Hospital (Board wrote rorwardi.ng a cheque for £9B in payment of the timber workers' agreement. The chairman said the House Committee recommended the appointment of Sister McCallum (who has been acting Matron in the Matron’s absence) to the position ot Acting-Matron. Mr Jeffries pointed cut that the by-law would have to bo altered to create the oftiee. He recognised the Sister’s worth. It would also lie creating a precedent which might eventually be found a source of trouble, ft was decided unanimously to increase Sister McCallum’s salary by £lO per annum, placing her in tho position of Senior Sister. The actingMatron (Sister ,T. McCallum) reported •he highest number of patients on any one da v in January was 66, and the lowest 42, the average being 53. In.mates of the Old People’s Home, males 13, females 3. Number of radiograms 59, massage am] electrical treatments 125. Sister Beck completed her duty on January 31st, and it was recommended that Nurse Gillespie be appointed theatre sister. Sister Aiexand_r, Nurses Traue and McNamara were on holiday. Nurse J. Davies had left for health reasons. Matron Anderson had commenced duty on February 1. Extended leave of absence was grant<l to Nurse Clausen. Mr Duff reported that he had visited the Hospital with Mr AV. Wallace (Chairman of the Hospital Boards’ Association), and the ‘alter had expressed pleasure at the administration and general conduct ami told Air Duff that Westland Hospital would more than likely regain its former grading status. Mr Jeffries said Mr Wallace had told him he was just as interested in the smaller hospitals as hi- was in the huger ones. The chairman reported that only one inquiry had so far been received in reply to the Board’s advertisement for a medical officer for Kumara, and full particulars had been supplied. It was hop ?d there would be more applications vet. Mr Heenan said the North Island papers were full of advertisements for doctors at about the same salary as the Board were offering for Kumara, Mu Brown sail] it was apparent there was a shortage of doctors. Accounts amounting to £1326 were passed for payment. Receipts for .January to. tailed £1373, the chief items being in-1 patients’ fees £307, subsidies £503 levy £4OO. Expenditure totalled £1363. The Board passed a motion expressing sorrow at the death of the late K’ng George, members standing in s'lenee.