WESTPORT NOTES

Grey River Argus, 19 August 1937, Page 7

WESTPORT NOTES

[Our Own Correspondent] Hospital Matters: WESTPORT, August 18. Hon. W. M. Mclntyre was in the chair at the monthly meeting of the Buller Hospital Board, held last evening. The Department, of Health wrote consenting to the purchase of a second boiler and automatic stoker in connection with the heating system. The Secretary was authorised to supply the Hawera Hospital Board with information regarding salaries paid to the trained Nursing staff at Westport. Messrs Hammond and McArthur, Ltd, forwarded donation of £l3 from the Golden Gleam Art Union to be distributed as follows: Millerton £6, Granity £5, and Denniston £2. Mr. R. J. Hawes, referring to the menu at the Old People’s Home, was of the opinion that more eggs could be made available to the inmates. Mr. W. P. Caldwell was of a similar opinion and urged, in view of the increased pensions, that the menu should be improved at the Home. The Chairman said there should not be much difficulty as all the cooking was being done at the Hospital, which would ensure a greater variety of meals and and on his suggestion the matter was referred to a Special Committee consisting of Town members and the Chairman, with a view to the latter’s proposal being given every consideration. A deputation consisting of Messrs W. Baker (Secretary) and W. Ellison, and representing the Buller Medical Association, waited on the Board and asked for assistance in connection with difficulties with J which the Association was at present confronted. It was' pointed out that the unemployed were a big handicap to the Association and the deputation asked for some assistance in that direction. It was also requested that the Board sign the amended agreement with the Association, which it was hoped would facilitate an arrangement for the collection of subs from pay dockets of P.W.D. workers. Mr. Baker submitted a statement of the Association’s finances which showed that the total revenue derived from membership fees from its inception amounted to £l,llO, and the expenditure was £1,122. The present position was mainly due to the number of funeral allowances claimed and an abnormal number of cases of sickness and accidents amongst the members. The Board decided to sign , the amended agreement and a special committee was authorised to go into the matter of assisting the Association in other directions. Mr. W. P. Caldwell was of the opinion that the gates at. the main entrance to the hospital, which were never used, should be discarded and the surrounding fence painted and put in order. The latter was agreed to, but a decision regarding the removal of the gates was deferred until a general improvement scheme is under consideration. The following reports were submitted: REPORT. “The following is my report for the month. —Nursing 'Staff:- Sister O’Rogan resigned on August 4. Mrs. Stevenson relieving. ■ Sick Leave: Nurse Best. Domestic Staff: Miss Dora Potts and Miss Mary Hendrickson commenced duty as wardsmaids on July 20 and August 2 respectively Mrs. Stone returned for duty on August 2 after annual leave. Holidays: Miss Stella Stone August 6. Gifts: Books (Mrs. Glen), greenery (Mrs. Bird, Mrs. Hawes and Mr. Metson). SECRETARY’S REPORT. ££>] ' .. "* - - “Herewith I beg to submit a statement of the receipts and payments ■ for the period April 1 to July 31 ultimo. There does not appear to be any necessity to comment upon the financial position at present, further than to state that although the overdraft is up to the limit authorised, the receipt of levy and subsidy is expected at an early date. All accounts passed for payment have been paid. The receipts for fees at Buller Hospital are £222 in excess of the amount received for the corresponding period last year; at Kawatiri Hospital £lO less. In view of the fact that the Buller Medical Association is asking the Board to re-consider its decision not to grant old age pensioners who are members of the Association the same concession as the unemployed, 1 would point out that the fees receivable for treatment of members of the Association for the half year ended May 31 last amounted to £1,070 4s for Buller Hospital and £ll4 15s at Kawatiri Maternity Hospital; total £1,184 19s. The amount receivable from the Association for the same period amounted to £253 Is 4d or 21,3 per cent, of the total fees receivable. For Buller Hospital alone, according to the allocation between the two institutions as resolved by the Board, the amount received is 17 per cent, of ' the total. The yield from the other Medical Association in the district— : Denniston, Millerton, Stockton and Karamea —is from 35 to 40 per cent. ■ of the fees receivable.” ■ OLD PEOPLE’S HOME REPORT. : ( “Since last report I beg to state , there has been no admissions, one dis- , charge (aged pensioner). Remaining ( in the Home to date number 20 —18 ( males and two females. General j health fair with the exception of two. I wish to acknowledge with thanks , pastry from Adams Bruce and Co., parcel of smoked fish from Mr. Potts, ] parcel of sandwiches from Radio Ball < Committee and Weekly Press from “. W. Earl. Also the manager of St. James Theatre for passes for inmates ( to see the picture, “Rose Marie.” The picture was much enjoyed by them. ( I have mated up my poultry for com- ( ing breeding season. The poultry < for the month of July produced 52 dozen eggs valued at £5 17s, supplied to the Hospital 33 dozen, valued at £3 14s 3d, used in the Home 19 dozen, valued at £2 2s 9d, used in the Home four birds, valued at 12/-; total value, 1 £6 95.” 1

KAWATIRI HOSPITAL REPORT. “Admitted during the month of July, 12 patients; discharged,. 13; remaining, 6; ante natal visits, 18; fees

collected, £3 ss. Changes in the Staff: Mrs. F. A. Marriott commenced re- ; lieving acting-sister in charge on August 16. Sister Davies, acting sister in charge on sick leave from August 12. Nurse Bulwer given leave of absence on August 11 for sickness in her family. Mrs. O’Gorman finished relieving duty on August 16. Domestic Staff: Miss A. Bennett finished duty on August 11. Miss P. Wells commenced duty on August 12.” SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT. “I beg to report for the month ending 31st. July, 1937, as follows: Patients admitted during the month, 34 and 27; discharged, 26 and 21; died, 2 and 2; remaining, 28 and 17. The new kinetometer for gas oxygen and ether anaestheria has arrived and will be of great benefit for special cases particularly.” Card Tournament:’' In the short period the present Social Committee has been in charge of affairs at the Labour Rooms, their efforts have resulted in raising the sum of £lO and Card Tournaments, being so far, their only avenue of revenue, it is indeed a source of pleasure to the ladies that the parties are proving -such a popular form of appeal. The Committee recently decided to donate the sum of £5 to the Campaign Funds and £2 to the “Standard” appeal, and at a meeting held last evening it was agreed to increase the votes to £7 and £3 respectively. The attendance at. the Tournament last evening was again bordering on capacity proportions and patrons enjoyed themselves thoroughly. The Euchre award went to Mr. Dobson and the second prize to Mr. L. Solomon, with Mr. J. Duncan in third position. The Forty-Fives Competition was won by Mr. Curtis. The Ladies’ Committee provided a much appreciated supper. Hospital Radio Fund: Further donations to the Hospital Radio Fund are W. T. Keesing, £1 Is; Women’s Branch N.Z.L.P., £1 Is; “V 8,” 5/-; Previously acknowledged, £234 19s 7d; total £237 6s 7d. Personal: One of Westport’s most popular young ladies, Miss Blanche Parkinson, eldest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. G. Parkinson, leaves to-morrow for Greymouth, where she will join the nursing staff of the Hospital. Miss Parkinson is a prominent athlete and has been of late busy attending a round of social functions arranged in ■ her honour. She was a member of the Tech. Old Girls’ Basketball Club, the Rambler Ladies’ Hockey Club, and represented Buller at the Mahar Cup athletic contests last year nt Blenheim.

Shipping: ' The Kaiwarra and Wingatui sailed yesterday for Wellington. The Kartigi is due to-morrow from Auckland. The Kalingo is expected to-night and the Totara to-morrow.