HAWERA DISTRICT HOSPITAL BOARD.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume XLVI, Issue 7820, 20 October 1903, Page 2

HAWERA DISTRICT HOSPITAL BOARD.

The monthly meeting of the Hawera District Hospital and Charitable Aii Board was held yesterday (Thursday). Mr Scott was in ihe chair, and Messrs Boddie, Wiikie, and Taylor were a'so present. Tlw Mayor (Mr B. C. RobDms) asked for leave of absence, as he was called to a functixi at New Plymouth in his Mayoral capacity. Granted.

Correspondence. A letter was read from Father McKenra stating that an old man, who was willing to pay for his accommodation, was anxiou.? to gain admittance to the Home in Nev Plymouth. — It was resolved to admit the applicant at 10s per week, and to suggest that the money he had in hand should be held in trust for him by the Board. A contribution of a parcel of flowerseeds were leceived from Mr G. Wilson, Brookfield, who hoped they would prove acceptable to Ihe hospital. — A vote of thanks was passed to Mr Wilson for his

gift. ' It was resolved to make enquiries with respect to a French applicant for relief, as to whether he had taken out his naturalisation papers, thereby entitling liim to claim the old age pension. Contributions were received from the Eltham Borough Council £2 Us 7d, ani ttie Egmont County Council £25 16s. Medical Officer's Report. Dr Westenr.a reported that since the pvevious meeting of the Board 14 patients M.-.ii heen admitted to the hospital, and I!', remained under treatment. The infjc t vis ward was now unoccupied. Patients' Fees. j The matter of fees for patients who re quire special treatment, such as operation ct- scs, was discussed. Information as to charges was received from several hospilalb as follows: — New Plymouth 4s p^r day, Wellington 4s, Wanganui 3s, Masterton 3s, and Palmerstcn North 3s 6d, an.1 1 in no case was an extra charge made f. r operations. Mr Boddie thought that if an operation case was admitted to the hospital and the patfent could pay he should be compelled to do so. He did not think the revenue the Board derived from various source? was for the purpose of giving gratuitous treatment to r'c-rsons iyho were in a posi tion to pay. Mr Wiikie moved that the charge be <is per day as .at present, and where special attention was required an extra fee of 10s 6d should be charged. Mr Boddis though b that what hid to be considered in relation to the charges made by other hospitals was whether- they were in the same position as the Hawe'S Board, who had to pay a fee of £1 Is fov each operation, in addition to the ordinary salaiy of the medical officer. After some further discussion it was pasolved to allow the matter to stand over until next meeting, the secretary meanwhile to procuie fuller information on the point., raised by Mr Boddie. Finance. Accounts amounting to £960 19s 7d were passed for payment. Settlement of Claims. Mr Boddie moved that this Board apply to the New Plymouth Board for a setttament of all sums not in dispute. — Carried. Tenders. Tenders for additions to the isolation ward at the hospital were opened, but it , was decided to call outside the district for fresh tenders.