HOSPITAL BOARD.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 22 July 1924, Page 7

HOSPITAL BOARD.

MONTHLY MEETING, The monthly meeting of the Hawera Hospital Board was held on Monday, when there were present: Messrs. F. Gillanders (chair), G. W. Tayler, J. J. Meldon, R. J. Linn, E. J. Gifford, C. H. Washer and J. S. McKay. Mr. Washer said that at the last meeting of the Hawera County Council the question was raised as to whether local bodies were obliged to send in their new hospital levy at once; or whether this levy could be left for six months. The chairman said that six months’ grace had been given, in connection with the first levy for the new hospital, but that did not mean that the local bodies could continue their payments six months in arrears. Also, the six mouths’ grace only applied to the new hospital levy and not to the ordinary maintenance levy. Correspondence arising out of a circular from the 'Health Department, which favoured the cancellation of the Minister's authority for the board’s overdraft, was read, the secretary, in reply to the department, having pointed out that during the early months of their financial year the local bodies often fell into arrears with their monthly contribution's, and the board consequently' found it necessary to tall back on the bank for an overdraft. Mr. Meldon considered it was not a fair thing for the department to interfere, as the board was not spending any money that they were not obliged to. The secretary, however, read a later letter from the department which stated that the Minister had' approved of the overdraft limit of £IOOO being extended to the end of the financial year, but, .of course, the board was to clearly understand that if the contributing local authorities were in arrear the amendment of last session gave the board no option but to charge'them at the rate of 7 per cent, for the amount overdue. It was the function of the local bodies and not the board to incur overdrafts resulting from the non-payment of levies and consequent subsidies. The chairman and secretary, together with Mr. Tayler, were appointed to attend a. conference of hospital boards to be held in Wellington about the first week in October. OFFICERS’ REPORTS. Ihe medical superintendent. Dr. W. M. Thomson, reported that on May 31 there were 51 patients in hospital. During June 63 patients were admitted, 58 were discharged, three died and 53 remained in hospital on June 30. During June the daily average of occupied beds was 55.9, while patient days totalled 1678. Operations during the month totalled 30, X-ray cases 24, diathermy fcases B,' massage treatments 371. Out-patients during June numbered 16. The matron: (Nurse 1L I/ockhead) reported that Nurse Washer had com,her first .y €a G Nurses Sage and second, and Nurses I'jfragher and O'Dowd their third |Lhe matron of the Old People’s Home acknowledged donations from the following: St. Mary’s YoungMen’s Bible Class, St. Vincent de Paul society, Misses Remvick and Fisher Mrs. button, and Mr. Wills The secretary (Mr. C. M. Haggett) reported, inter alia, that the rate of maintenance subsidy under the new schedule • worked out at 18s 2d in the £1 as against 12s 3d previouslv The first contribution to the new * hospital funds had been received, the honour falling to the \Eltham Borough Council.