WESTPORT NOTES

Grey River Argus, 22 October 1936, Page 7

WESTPORT NOTES

(Ou r Own Correspondent). Hospital Matters: WESTPORT, October 21. Hon. W. 11. Mclntyre was in the chair at the monthly meeting of the Hospital Board held last evening. A vote of appreciation for services rendered bv Drs. Dudley, Arnott and Maxwell was carried. A recommendation from the Matron in connection with extra domestic help at Kawatiri Hospital was agreed to. A recommendation from the Department of Healta regarding assistance to Stockton Medical Association was held over for a report from the secretary at next meeting of the Board. A proposal that a.> insurable risks for hospital boards should be covered by a group scheme was not supported. A cheque for £24 forwarded by Hammond and McAith.it from Lucky' Joker art union is to be distributed as follows: Millerton £l6. Granity £8 and Denniston £6. It was agreed' Io place the Millerton Association's request for a new ambulance b<fore the Minister. A rising.out of a request from Charleston Medical Association for £1 for £1 subsidy in connection with doctor’s salary the secretary was instructed to report on the Association's financial position at next meeting. The Board decided to support the Health Stamp Campaign and to purchase £2 10s worth of stamps. M" Hetdam, smnor porter, was granted annual holiday leave and an extra foilnight without payment. Arising out of a complaint by Mr W. Caldwell, the master of the Old People’s Home was instructed not to admit any person ■without an authority from a member or the secretary. It was also decided to ask the master to explain why two voting men had been permitted to stop in the home from two to three weeks, one of whom came from Taranaki and had a job as a plasterer in town. A deputation consisting of Messrs A. Watley, J. Fairburn and R. Carter waited on the Board in connection with the proposed medical association and desired to learn what terms, hospital benefits, etc., would be provided for. It was explained that the association would embrace men employed oh the Buller Gorge railway, local workers, pakihi workers and watersiders. A conservative estimate of the membership would be 400. Aitor hearing the deputation the Board decided to allow hospital benefits and full maternits' benefits at a cost per member of £1 per year. A notice of motion by the chairman, “that the resolution passed at the meeting of the Board held on July 14 accepting John Ryan’s tender for supply of bread for 12 months be rescinded and that the tender from the Master Bakers’ Association be accepted and the Board s trade divided equally among the signatories ’ was carried. Messrs R. Hawes and W. Caldwell voted against. The chairman mentioned that he had instructed the secretary to forward the following remits for consideration at the conference to be held next March: That in the opinion of this conference it is desirable that Section 93 of the Act be amended in the direction of making the domicile of the person legally liable for the fees to be deemed to be the place of residence of his wife and family, also; that in the opinion of this Board the amounts available for charitable purposes from art unions would be greatly augmented on similar lines to that operating under Government control -in New South Wales or Tattersails in Tasmania; that a State lottery would intercept almost the whole of the money now going to consultations overseas and find employment to people within the Dominion instead of contributing in that direction elsewhere. Referring to the suggested amendment of the Act in regard to Section 93, Hou. Mclntyre said that last year a resident of this district left here to reside in the Inangahua Board’s district where he had established residence under the Act. The wife remained in Westport for eight months then joined her husband, but before being long enough in the Inangahua Board’s district to establish re sidenee there, became ill and was ordered to a. city hospital for specialist treatment. The husband being unable to pay the fees under the Act, as at present constituted, the Buller Board was liable and duly paid the fees. Mr Mclntyre contended that as the husband had become a ratepayer within the district of the Inangahua Board and that district had had the benefit of his labour and earnings, there was no justice in fixing the responsibility for treatment of the wife upon the Buller Board. It should have been the responsibility of the Inangahua Board and thj? suggested alteration in the Act would make it so. Labour Ball:

Arrangements of an elaborate character are working smoothly for the ball to bo held on Labour night and the function promises to be an event that will leave pleasant memories of the day’s celebrations. Designers are vicing with each other in their efforts to capture the liberal prizes offered for the best Japanese costume worn at flit: ball and for the valuable trophies offered for the outstanding set, etc. The function is the most-talked-of event held under the auspices of the local branch of the Labour Party and a record attendance is expected. Prior to supper a. card party will take place on file stage when the winners of the euchre and forty-fives competitions will ba awarded substantial prizes.

Boxing: Onlookers at the fight for the middleweight crown between O’Brien and Jacobs on Saturday night at the Theatre Royal can be assured of getting their money’s worth. O’Brien in his last fourteen fights has lost only three decision and in two of these cases he was fighting out of his class, once to Ray Nicol, heavyweight champion, and once to Harvey, lightheavyweight champion. His third loss was to the redoubtable Cyril Pluto. Reports from Jacobs’ camp indicate that he is in excellent trim and although he realises that he has not got the fight in his pocket he is determined to make a great bid to take the title away with him. It should be a regular donnybrook.

Card Party: There was a big gathering at the Labour rooms last evening for the weekly card tournament. The euchre prize was won by Mrs Fox with Mesdames Gough and Todd in second and third positions respectively. Mr Fagen won the forty-fives. The ladies’ committee provided an excellent supper.

“The Lady in Red’’ Entertained: Miss Roslyn, who is visiting Buller district in the course of her cycle tour of the world, and known as “The Ladyin Red” was the guest of the Buller County' Council at a pleasant function held yesterday- Mr R. Hawes, CountyChairman. expressed pleasure at the visit to Buller and handed to Miss Roslyn a document from the County summarising its natural wealth, and also presented her with a gold brooch mounted with a nugget of gold from the Buller River. Air Schadick, CountyEngineer, also spoke. Miss Ro-lyn thanked'the Council members for their kindly and thoughful action.

Special Transport Service: Arrangements have been complcteo for a special car service to leave Grevmouth .on Labour Day- at 8 a.m. for Westport, returning the same- day. Patrons are advised to comm inmate with Newman Bros., Greyinoiuh offiie for reservations. Late Nominations: The following delayed nominations were received for the Labour Day chopping and sawing events and the entrants will be handicapped on the ground.—.l inievii-li and Sullivan (saw). Sullivan (maiden and big chnp), 11. Wilson (upright and big (hop). Shipping: The Kiwitea is due here tomorrow. The Kaimai sailed this afternoon for Lyttelton. The Kaitoa and Hokitika are due here to-night. Coconut Grove Dance; A large attendance thoroughly enjoyed the Cm-oiHit Grove Dance ißand’s ball, at the Theatre Royal, on Monday last. A well-balanced programme of old-time and modern dances proved highly popular with well over a hundred couples.