WAIRAU HOSPITAL BOARD

Marlborough Express, Volume L, Issue 86, 11 April 1916, Page 2

WAIRAU HOSPITAL BOARD

The monthly meeting of the Wairan Hospital and Charitable Aid Board was held , yesterday. There were present: Messrs .J, J. Corry (chairman). R. J. Bell, H. C. Cheesman, G. Armstrong, C. Nees, E. H. Eccles, W. H. Macey, P. Meehan.

FRIENDLY SOCIETIES

Messrs J. H. Morrison, W. Jordan, and J. Smith, representing the Council of the Friendly Societies of Marlborough, waited on the Board ,and asked it to set up a. committee to confer with the Council, with a view t<< arranging a system of concessions for members of friendly societies treated at. the hospital. After considerable oiscussion, a. committee consisting of the chairman and Messrs Eccles, Meehan, and Bell was appointed to represent the Board in the proposed conference.

NURSING STAFF

The resignation of Miss M.. J. O'Leary as a member of the nursing staff was accepted. On the recommendation of the matron Misses Garnham and Burgess, having completed their '■terms .of probationership, were appointed to the permanent nursing, staff.. Miss Wells wrote withdrawing her application for the position of nurse in charge of the Haveiock cottage hospital. The chairman reported that Miss o'Sullivan would be appointed to the position temporarily^ HOSPITAL PLANT.

Particulars as to cost haying been received, and the matter haying been discussed, at length, it was decided to procure two 14 h.p. boilers fpr the sterilising system and other x^'ocesses. It was indicated that the total cost, including the bricking and housing would be about £500.

WATER SUPPLY PROBLEM

It was reported that, having reached a depth of 166 feet, Mr Adam Gibson, well sinker, had failed to secure a flow of water. The work had been of a difficult description, stones being: mot all the waj-, and finally a solid rock being encountered. Going on the experience obtained in the sinking for water for Mr W. Smith, at the top of Redwood Street, the sinker had hoped to pierce the rock and strike clay or papa rock. However, such a result had not occurred. At 111 feet a small stream of water was struck. Charges were. being put down and had the effect of shattering the pipe at that distance. The work had been discontinued. The Board was recommended,, to obtain the use of a 4-inch boring plant. Quotations from a firm of wellsinkers' at Christchurch were received; and, after considerable discussion, Mr El. H. Eccles was commissioned to proceed to Christchurch and make the best possible arrangement in behalf of the Board.

The accounts showed that the cost; of the operations conducted by Mr Gibson amounted to £159.

■TENDERS

The following tenders were received for the work of painting the old hospital buildings, including the fever ward and nurses' quarters: AY. Oarr, £249 2s 6d: J. L. Higgs and Co., £185; A. J. Baillie £285. The lowest tender was accepted. Painting of kitchen: Ward and Co., £5 7s 6d (accepted). Ward and Go's price of £14 for the installation of a ventilator in the kitchen had been accented.

Messrs Leslie and Costello's offer of £6 for the acetylene fittings of the old hospital was accepted.

GENERAL.. Estimates of expenditure for the ensuing year were presented and disdiscussed, and iiotice of intention was formally given to move that a rate of one-seventh of a penny be struck. Last year's rate for maintenance purposes was one-n;nth. The question of procuring shelter blinds !'or the verandah, was referred co a committee.

On the roeovnmenchvtioiii of the Finance Comnuivte, the wages of the ward maid was increased from £1 to £1 10s per week. A recomriie.ndaiion tint the salary rt the secretary be inerew.ed by £oQ to £200 p-er annum was opposed by The chairma-n and was finally reserved for settlement at next moetinpr. Accounts amountiiig to £11^1 lok od were passed tor payment.