NAPIER HOSPITAL COMMITTEE.

Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume XXI, Issue 6242, 6 May 1882, Page 3

NAPIER HOSPITAL COMMITTEE.

Fbhay, May 5,

The committee met at 2.30 p.m. Present — His Worship the Mayor (in the chair), Dr Spencer, and Messrs J. A. Smith, H. A. Banner, H. H. Wall, C. B. Winter, J. N. Williams, M. R. Miller, and John Bennett.

NEW MEMBER

The secretary read a communication from the Napier Borough Council intimating the appointment of Mr H. H. Wall as the representative of the Council on the committee in the place of Mr Angus M'Kay.

VISITING COMMITTEE'S REPORT,

The following report from the visiting committee was read : —

Number of cases under treatment— lf ale« 21, females 8, total 29; of these for feyer, males 12, females 4, total 16.

Arerage number of patients during the month, 29 — males 21, fonialea 8, of whom 2 males and 1 female haro been treated in the urivate wards.

Hygiene. — Average cubic space during the month per case, males 1369 feet, females 1775 - 7 feet. Ventilation is efficient excepting in the passages from the male ward to the closets and the lavatory, where it appears the upper sashes of the windows do not open. The closets are cleaned out daily, and a supply of carbolic powder and sawdust is supplied to each of them.

A. plan for the drainage of the hospital is laid on the table. It has been drawn out by the municipal engineer. Tenders have been advertised for, and if any havo been received they will be laid before the committee.

Dust bins hare been obtained and are in use, but wo have to report that the dustman has not emptied them more than once during the last three weeks, whereby a nuisance has been created which it is impossible to obviate unless the contractor carries out his duties more regularly and efficiently.

The admission and'discharge books, and the case and patient's property books appear to have been properly iopt.

There is no admission and discharge book for out-patients, an omission which should be rectified as soon as possible.

The daily returns of diet and extras have been filled in correctly ; the monthly return of diets has not been kept during the whole period owing to the illness of the matron. We regret to have to report that the matron, Miss Stewart, has been laid up for some time with fever, contracted in the performance of her duties. She is now convalescent.

The number of hospital servants is 9 — 2 males and 7 females. Their conduct and efficiency are reported by the matron to be satisfactory. We recommend— (l.) That an admission and discharge b«ok for out-patients be obtained. (2.) That the upper sashes referred to be loosened. (3.) That the hotwater tap in the bath -room be repaired. John Benitet, W. I. Spbnobb, Visiting Oonunittw. Napier, 29th April, 1882. .

Tlie report was adopted on the motion of Mr J. A. Smith seconded by Mr Banner. TIIE liATRON; The Secretary stated that the three months for which the matron, Miss Stewart, had beeii engaged had expired, and that the appointment required to be confirmed) Mr Winter enquired whether the matron was sufficiently recovered to be able to perform her duties 1 Dr Spencer replied that, though still weak from the effects of the fever, Miss Stewart was quite able td f nlßl her duties. It was decided on the motion of Dr Spencer, seconded by Mr "Winter, that the appointment of Miss Stewart be confirmed, subject to her health continuing sufficiently good to enable her to perform her duties.

DR MENZIES' CONDITIONAL ItESia NATION.

Tho following letter from Dr Menzies were read : —

Napier Hospital, 27th March, 1882. Sir, — I have tbo honor to report to the Hospital Committee that I resumed duty this day.

At the last meeting of the committoe, when leave of absence was granted me, I enquired whether an arrangement could bo uado allowing me to reside in tbe vicinity of the hr><-->ital, but the existing rules prevent this. A. no doubt the committee are aware, I an no i married, and unless they can see their \va_r to offer other residential arrangements I must tender my resignation ; at the isame time I beg to state that I shall ieel much pleasure in conducting the duties of tho hospital until such" time as the committee can make satisfactory arrangements for a succeisor. — I am, &c 5

E. Menzibs, Surgeon-Superintendent,

The following report from the visiting committee upon Dr Menzies' letter was read.

In accordance with a resolution passed at the last meeting of the committee, the visiting committee have enquired into the subject of Dr Menzies' letter dated 27th March ulfc., and beg to report as follows : — That with reference to Dr Menzies' conditional resignation, we are of opinion that the usefulness of the hospital would be materially impaired if it wero deprived of a responsible resident administration. Under the circumstances we are unable to see our way to aoy other course than the acceptance of such resignation in terms of Dr Menzies' letter above referred to. John Bennett, W. I. Spbnoeb, Visiting Committee. Napier, 29th April, 1882.

After some discussion the visiting committee's report was adopted, on the motion of Mr Smith, seconded by Mr Banner. Mr Winter moved, seconded by Mr Williams — " That a resident surgeon (single) be advertised for at a salary for the first year of £200, to be raised after the firat year to £300 if approved, such surgeon not to take private practice." — Carried. PURCHASE OF INSTRUMENTS. On the motion of Dr Spencer, seconded by Mr Winter, £100 was voted for the purchase of surgical instruments.

CORRESPONDENCE

The following correspondence was read : —

From the Hawke's Bay County Council, informing the committee that a subsidy to the hospital of £250 had been placed on the Council's estimates for 1882-3, and notifying that the Council would entertain applications for progress payments on account of that sum when required by the committee.

From Minnie Kelsall, applying for an increase of pay. — Agreed to ; 2s 6d per week additional allowed.

From John M'Bean, also applying for an increase of salary. — Agreed to ; 2s 6d per week additional allowed.

TENDEfiS,

Four tenders were received for the drainage works, and that of William Frame, for the sura of £74 15s 4d, was accepted.

WAIPUKURAU HOSPITAL CLAIM.

It was decided, on the motion of Mr Banner, seconded by Dr Spencer, that £30 be offered to the Waipukurau Hospital, provided they waived their claim for £61 Bs, for the treatment and maintenance of a patient sent from the Napier hospital.

OLDE ENGLISH FAYRE,

The Secretary reported a request from Mr Ashton for the patronage of the Committee to an Olde English Fayre, to be held on the Queen's Birthday in the Theatre Royal, half of the net proceeds to be devoted to the benefit of the hospital. It was decided, on the motion of Dr Spencer, seconded by Mr Wall, that the patronage requested be accorded, with the understanding that the committee undertook no responiibility in case there should be a loss.

MISCELLANEOUS.

The secretary was instructed to advertise for tenders for the purchase of the windmill and gasoline ; also to apply for prison labor in the hospital grounds about the end of the month.

Accounts amounting to £219 15s 6d, for the expenditure for the month of April, were passed and ordered to be paid. The Committee then adjourned.