HAWERA HOSPITAL BOARD

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume LXIX, Issue LXIX, 18 June 1915, Page 7

HAWERA HOSPITAL BOARD

TO-DAY'S MEETING

The Hawera Hospital Board met this morning. Titere were present—Messrs G. \v. i'ayler (chairman;, E. B. Bates, J. Meiclon, C. Hawken, K. J. Linn, J. .fnillips, T. A. Winks, and T. A. iSridge.

Berore proceeding with the business the Chairman moved a vote of sympathy with Mr Winks in the bereavement that had befallen him in the death of his brother, Sergeant L. Winks, at the front.

The motion was carried in silence. Mr Winks thanked the Board for its expression of sympathy.

A circular was received from tue In-spector-GeneraT of Hospitals with refereuce to the accommodation of the sick and wounded from the seat of war. He was of the opinion that no special accommodation would be necessary for these patients, being confident' that the beds in the hospitals of the Dominion would be ample for the purpose, especially if it could be arranged to establish a certain number of convalescent hospitals in connection therewith. Hospital Boards would be given ample notice to enable them to provide for the sick and wounded sent to them. However, he asked the Board to invite persons who had suitable houses to ofter them as convalescent homes.

Members were of the opinion that there would be plenty of time in which to take action in this matter, and Mr Winks moved that the matter be left in the hands of the Chairman to make arrangements for the care of the convalescent soldier.s as occasion arose. This was seconded by Mr Linn, and carried.

Inspector Gray reported that three cases of diphtheria, were investigated in Hawera borough; one death from phthisis occurred in Elthani borough; two cases of scarlet fever were notified in Hawera borough. Recommendations for repairs to premises were complied with in connection with, a diphtheria ease in Hawera borough, a scarlet fever case in Eltham county, and a septicaemia case in Hawera county. Several brands of butter were weighed at Eltham, and all were found to be full weight. The samples of milk taken last month complied with the standard under the Sale of Food and Drugs Act. It having been previously reported that the drains at the hospital had been blocked, the architect (Mr J- A. Duffil!) rocommemlad that a new drain be put down with, manholes ,at each junction, at an approximate cost of £85, including the manholes.

After discussion it was decided, on the proposition of Messrs Winks and Phillips, that the architect's recommendation be carried out.

Th* 1 Board had intended to have the verandah of the children's ward glassed in, but it was decided to allow the work to stand o-ver for the present.

The architect submitted a. new .ground plan of the hospital, with which it is intended to work in the future. Mr Duffill said ho found it extremely difficult to prepare a plan for an ideal hospital, the governing factors being that the present buildings are too close to road lines; the new brick children's ward is too far forward on the site; the present work of the hospital must be interfered with as little as possible; and the aspect of the present building is bad with regard to sun and light. The plan has yet to be approved by the Inspector-General. Dr Valintine was to have been in Hawera to-day, but telegraphed that urgent business prevented him from leaving Wellington.

Messrs Bates and Winks were appointed a v: siting committee for the ensuing month.