NAPIER HOSPITAL COMMITTEE

Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume XXI, Issue 6162, 4 February 1882, Page 3

NAPIER HOSPITAL COMMITTEE

Tho usual meeting of the Napier Hospital Committee was held in the Council Chamber yesterday afternoon. Present — His Worship the Mayor (in the chair), Drs Spencer and do Lisle, and Messrs J. Bennett, C. B. Winter, J. A. Smith, A. M'Kay, M. R. Miller, J. N. Williams, and H. A. Banner. FINANCIAL ARRANGEMENTS. The Chairman reported having sent letters to Auckland, Wellington, Nelson, Christchurch, Dimedin, Oamaru, Timaru, New Plymouth, Greymouth, Hokitika, and Invercargill, enquiring how the funds were procured for the support of the hospital in those places. Answers had been received &a follows : — From Auckland — " Hitherto the Auckland Hospital has been maintained by Government; but a change is contemplated by which funds shall be contributed in part by the municipal body and in part by Government. It is likely also that an appeal will be made to the charitable public." From Timaru—" This hospital is under the supervision of Government commissioners, who, under instructions, call for and accept tenders, and also, under instructions and approval, appoint medical staff as well as general staff. Voucher* for maintenance and salaries are forwarded monthly to the Colonial Treasurer, and the cheques returned here. The cost of these are debited against the Borough of Tiraaru and the Geraldine County Council, they having declined heretofore to take over the hospital." From Oamaru — " This hospital is supported by roluntary subscriptions and by Government subsidy of £1 for £1 on these subscriptions and donations. Besides the subscriptions the hospital has under an Ordinance of the late Provincial Council an endowment of land from which is derived a rental of £200 per annum." From Christchurch — " The funds for the support of the Christchurch Hospital are in the first place f urniahed by the Government : that is to say, all vouchers are sent to the Treasury for payment, and the coat of the hospital, together with the cost of the other charitable institutions in .this district, is afterwards deducted from subsidies payable to local bodies, in terms of the Financial Arrangements Act."

The Secretary also said that he had in his hand a private letter stating that Mr S. Johnston, while in Wellington, interviewed the Government on the subject, and the effect of what he said was this, that where the Government paid the money in the first instance it was afterwards deducted from the subsidies, and that in the end there was more loss to the local bodies refusing to contribute than if they did so willingly. It was decided that no action should be taken on the Bubject till replies from other places were received. HOSPITAL ENDOWMENT. Mr Miller moved the motion of which he had given notice at last meeting, that a respectful memorial should be presented to the Government asking that an endowment should be set aside for the hospital before, all the land passed into private hands, the income from which would lighten the calls that are now and may be in future made upon the public for the support of the institution, and if an endowment were set aside in the Wairoa County it should be transferred to that county in the establishment of a hospital there. Mr Miller said there was plenty of Crown land available for the purpose.

Mr Smith seconded the motion, and he stated that in the old Provincial Council Buch an endowment had been actually made, but it lapsed through the papers not having been signed within the necessary time. On the motion of Mr Winter the word " partially " wa3 placed before the words " transferred to the Wairoa County," and the motion as amended was carried. On the motion of Mr Miller a select committee was appointed, consisting of Messrs Smith, Winter, and the mover, to draw up the memorial to the Government. MISCELLANEOUS. Printed copies of the annual reports and financial statement were laid upon the table. A testimonial was ordered to be given to Miss Stenaon, certifying that during her term of office she had taken the greatest Interest in her work, and had dis-

charged her duties with thoroughness and efficiency.

The Secretary stated that £128 9a 4d had been collected from the churches altogether, but the Wairoa returns had to come in ; and that £125, portion of the last year's vote, was available from the Hawke's Bay County Council.

Dr Menzies wrote, requesting (1) leave of absence from the 14th inst. for one month, (2) that he might be permitted to live at a short distance from the hospital, and (3) that he be allowed private practice, expressing his readiness to forego £100 per annum of salary if permitted to do so. The leave of absence was granted. It was decided that the bye-lawa would not permit of Dr Menziea' residing away from the hospital or of his being allowed private practiceThe Visiting Committee reported finding everything in the hospital working well. The Secretary stated that Miss Steuson had left, and the new matron had commenced her duties. The balance in the bank was stated to be £519 10s Bd. Accounts to the amount of £511 Is lOd, including the pay-sheet for the month of £65 Is, were passed for payment. Dr Speucer drew attention to the subject of dietary. In the annual report it appeared as if the same sort of food were served out all round. He suggested that the diet should be placed at the head of each bed. The diet was quite as important ass the medicine. He also suggested that the committee should ask some ladiea in town to visit the hospital occasionally, and examine the food to see that it was properly cooked, &c. Dr deLisle also thought ihe committee should insist upon the diet being placed at the head of the bed. The matter dropped. The committee then adjourned.