HAWERA HOSPITAL BOARD.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume XLII, Issue 7628, 15 December 1902, Page 2

HAWERA HOSPITAL BOA RD .

FIRST MEETING.

The first meeting of the new Hospital Board was held on Saturday. Present : Messrs J. -"W. Scott, Boddie, Robbins, Wilkie, and Tayler. Mr Scott presided by request of the Taranaki Board. He said he felt proud to be in the position of presiding officer at tho initial meeting of the first Board, and was. thankful to the County Council for nominating! him as a member. While not claiming all the credit for the separation of the Hospital district, he desired to saythat some years ago he came to the conclusion that justice was not being! clone to this end of the district, and he then submitted a statement to the Council , which body promised to let him know the result of its deliberations, but did not do so. However, the matter was taken up eventually by the Council, and brought to a successful issue. He had estimated when he made his statement that £500 or £600 a year could be saved to this end of the district by separation ; the saving, because of increased valuations, would bo greater now. For the way this district had been treated in late years he would give the Taianaki Board credit ; there was certainly no reason for complaint. The trouble, however, was that affairs in connection with this end could not be administered in such a satisfactory manner as it could by a Board on the spot* Mr Tayler bore out Mr Scott's remarks. Three years ago Mr Scott brought up the question of separation, but did not get the support ! from the Council that he should have received. Tiat body, perhaps; thought the movement premature; then, but Mr Scott had sown the seed which had now borne fruit. Of late years there was no doubt that the Taranaki Board had acted fairly towards this district, although there seemed to be a tendency on the part of some members to look upon this end as a white elephant, which it would not be a bad thing to get rid of. Some members had an idea that patients from Eltham and places nearer Hawera than New Plymouth should be sent to the Hospital at the latter place, because of a saving of 2s each, although the distance from, say, Eltham to Hawera, was only twelve miles, while from Eltham to New Plymouth was 26 miles. He had 1 always fought against that. In conclusion Mr Tayler paid a compliment to Mr Scott as one of the best members of the Taranaki Board. Mr Boddie proposed Mr Scott as Chairman, and in doing so said that that gentleman had represented the County Council as a delegate to the Taranaki Board for ten or twelvo years ; in fact, he was one of the oldest delegates. He (the speaker) was quite satisfied that Mr Scott was the man for the chairmanship of the new Board, • as he not only had the interest of the hospital and district at heart, • but had time at his disposal. The latter was necessary, as a considerable amount of time and attention would have to be devoted to the work until matters were placed in proper working- order. Three years I ago Mr Scott had given figures to the County Council which went to prove that separation was desirable, but the Council did not, he thought, pass a resolution on the subject. During last year, in talking with Mr Maunder on the matter, the latter 1 mentioned to him' (the speaker) one of two things which had b£en brought forward by Mr Scott which refreshed his memory, and after cogitation and another talk with MiMaunder, he brought the matter before the Council, which passed a resolution in favour of a conference of local bodies interested. The result was the new Board, for it was seen that with the increased valuation, and in face of the large amount of money expended on the New Plymouth Hospital, and Refuge, the sum contributed by local bodies at this end was out of proportion to the benefits received. Mr Boddie then referred to the manner in which the Separation Bill had been put through the House, and considered that it was I only right that Mr C. A. Budge I should receive his fair share of the credit for that. (Hear, hear). Thanks to .the manner in which that gentleman had worked, and the way in which he had drawn up tho Bill (for he was practically the draughtsman) the measure went through in a phenomenally successful manner. Mr. Robbins seconded Mr. Scott's nomination, as he believed he Avould prove to be the right man in th( right place. He had had .more experience in hospital matters than anj of the other members, nnd that ex perience would be useful. There was a great deal of work before the Boarc in regard to finance, and the arrange nicnts to be made with the northerr end would require skilful treatment The speaker congratulated Mr. Scoti on the success of the separation move ment, adding that it must have beer a great pleasure to that gentlemar to see the movement he had commenc ed brought to a successful issue. Th< enthusiasm Mr. Scott had ever displayed in regard to hospital matters would, Mr. Robbins thought, be ever greater now, as the hospital was a1 his own door. It was hoped that af fairs would go on smoothly. Mr Budge deserved praise for the way ir which he had worked to get the Hos pital Bill through Parliament; he hac not let slip any opportunity. Mr. Tayler said he had been prepared to second Mr. Scott's nomina tion, but Mr. Robbins had got in be fore him. He spoke in complimentary terms of Mr. Scott, and also took oc casion to congratulate Mr. Budge or the way in which, as County Clerk he had conducted the business betweei the Council and the Eltham riding He added that in this connection Mr Boddie was also deserving of grcal credit. Mr. Scott thanked the members whe had spoken for their kind remarks but was of opinion that it would b( better if someone residing in towr was appointed chairman. The chair manship was a big undertaking re quiring almost daily attention. H< certainly took a keen interest in th< hospital, but he' lived a long way dff He would like to sec the work carriec out in an earnest manner. Stnal matters would crop up daily, and Mr Robbins, as a townsman, should havt had the position. However, if mem hers thought he (the speaker) coulc carry out the duties satisfactorily h( would consent to undertake them foi a time. Mr Boddie recognised the force of whal Mr Scott had said. At some future timp Mr Robbins, as Mayor, would probably have a turn a* chairman. A house committee would be able to attend tc minor details. Mr Wilkio agreed with the mo 1 ion, while appreciating the force of Mr Scott's remarks. . It would be better were the chairman close at hand, but the circumBtances in the present case were exceptional. | tional. The Board had to be built up, 1 and Mr Scott's knowledge at this juncture (would be useful in that direction. If a< some other tini9 it was thought necessary ■ to have a chairman who was resident in 1 the town., such an appointment could be 1 made. But at present until the boat was • properly launched they wanted a good captain, who, he thought, would have a good crew. Mr Scott said that he could not attend to the duties as he would like to, but with an efficient House Committee and a good secretary he had hopes of getting things properly started. However, he desired to say that if he found he could not carry cut the duties of chairman to his own satisfaction, he would ask for permission to resign. Mr Budge thanked the members for their remarks regarding himself, and after Mr Scott had also spoken a few words of thanks ordinary business was proceeded witb.

SECRETARY. Tho Chairman suggested that Mr Budge be appointed" pro tern secretary. Mr Tayler thought if any man was entitled to fhe secretaryship it was Mr Budge. A more efficient man could not

be found in Taranaki. • The Chairman said there were several matters to be considered, and be thought if Mr Budgd took the minutes at this meeting the ■permanent appointments could be made later. Mr Tayler suggested that Mr Budge be asked to state in writing whether he would acsepfc the position, and at what remnnera'ion. Mr Bodd'e said no one knew better than he did the ability of Mr Budge, but under the circumstances he advecxted postponement of the question until matters of finance, etc., were considered. Mr Robbins proposed, and Mr Bodilie seconded, that Mr Budge be secretary and treasurer pro tern. Mr Wilkie thought as a new board they should go on proper lines, and call for applications. Mr Budge expressed his willingness to act temporarily. In the meantime the Board could form some idea as to the character of the work. . The motion was carried.

STAFF AND FINANCE.

Mr Robbins moved, That the present itaff be appointed pro tern. Mr Wilkie brought up tbe question of inance. The New Plymouth Board solicitor had given the opinion that the lorthern board could levy on this district jp to the 31at March. The new board would have to accept the position or get 1 legal opinion right away. Mr Tayler undeis'ood a joint comsuttee was to be se^ up to setJe the affair. Until that settlement tbe new board could not do onything in rfgard to appointments, as the New Plymouth Board was, through Mr Sutton, running 1 the hospital. The Chairman said the Now Plymouth Boa r d would disburse the ccst cf the uphei-p of the hospital until an adjustment of accounts was made. Tbe matters of charitable ai.i and in regard j to imnatfs sent to the refuge would have tJ be consid.-rod The ChuiruMn read j le ter from the Taran ki Bjard, giving names of a committee to meet a commiitee|frrm the Hawera Board. Mr Robbins said the New Plymouth Board locked upon the i.ew Board as a ' tepara c one. He t'icugho the stiff rf the hos- pital should be temporarily appointed by ihe iew Board. If this was do> c theie would be no question hereafter as 'o the appointment:*. j Mr Bo:Jdie could not agree with Mr | Rolbins. If the ntw IT oar d interfered | w.th appoin uunts it nrght make itself li be for a L.rge amount of money. A ; rebu t of the conference might be that 1 the Tatanoki Bjar.l would run the ' Hnwera ho-pitnl, as well as collect the levies, up to 31s'. March. He thought the qutstion of oppointmenta ehould remain over until ih j meeting cf the joint committee. The Chairman said the staff had been appointed for a term, and he did not thir k there was any need for the new Board to interfere in the matter. He did not apprehf-nd any dfiiculty at all. Mr Wi'kie thought it would be better if tbe Board look legal advice. Mr Robbit.s «nid the New Plymouth Board peetued willing to ass'st all it could. He agreed wi;h Mr Wilkie that the committ.ee from ihi* ci.d should attend the conference fottified by a legal opinion of its own. Mr Budge said he d'd not agree with the Turanaki Board's solicitor, For instance, if the northern Board expended all the morey received from ibis district up to 3lßt March, for six months the new Bonrd would have to work without revenue. A committee to meet, the New Plymouth committie was set up as follows : — Tie Chuirtmr., ard Mfss'S Boddie and R)bbin?. The conference will bs held at New Plymor.th ths evening. Oi Mr Wilkie's inoim, seconded by Mr 80-'ldic, it was decided that a legal opinion regirding the financial position be ob ainfrd from Mr Wi-lsh. HOUSE COMMITTEE". Mr B d«iie inovi d, That the House Commit tpe consist) of the Chairman and Missi-3 Robbins and Tayltr. Seconded by Mr Wilkie, and carried. .OFFICE. The County Office w«s appointed temporary office of the Board. BANK. On Mr Boddie's motion, the Bank of Ntw Zealand was appointed the Board's bankers. MEETINGS. Mr Robbins suggested that meetings of the Board bw held on ihe Becbnd Wednescl iy of the month. Mr Hodd.e strongly opposed Wednes« day, but was willing 10 ngree to Monday. He moved, That the ordinary meetingj be held on the second Monday in each moiiih, at 11 am., four members to form a quorum. Mr Uobbins seconded, and the motion was orried. CONTRIBUTIONS. The qtie.-t:on of contributions from local bodies was brought up by the Clerk, but it was decided not to deal wih the mats< r until a report is received from the joint committee. SPECIAL MEETING. A special meeting will be held on the 22nd -ns!;., at 11 a in. CONFERENCE. Mr Bocldie moved, That tho House Committee be asked to confer with Mr Smtoi, who had been appointed to deal with tbe Hawera Hospital temporarily. Seconded by Mr Robbins, and carried. The meeting adjourned.