Hospital Affairs

Manawatu Times, Volume LIV, Issue 7241, 22 August 1933, Page 3

Hospital Affairs

MEETING OE PALMERSTON NORTH BOARD. The Palmerston North Hospital Board met in Palmerston North yesterday. Present: Messrs. J. K. Hornblow (chairman), A. E. Mansford, G. A. Monk, V. E. .Smith, G. P. Catley, R. L. C. Aitchison, F. J. Ryder, M. A. Moody, I, T. McLean, D. Collis, W. Howell, J. Hodgens and J. Boyce. Leave of absence was granted Mrs. Abraham and it was decided to send her a message of sympathy in her illness. Mr. 0. McElroy also forwarded an apology for absence. Secretary’s Report. The managing-secretary (Mr. A. J. Phillipps) reported as follows: “No. 5 workers: The majority of tho No. 5 workers are now engaged at the farm. The alterations to the yard at the milking sheds are well under way, and a start has been made on tho work of erecting a stop-bank. “Loan conversion: Some further atloration is required by the Loans Board in the conversion proposals. It is asked that tho £12,500 loan borrowed in 1028-29 be brought into the conversion scheme. This means that the loans which will be subject to tho conversion are £IO,OOO, £3OOO and £12,500. The new rate of interest will be 4j; per cent., the term twelve years, and the annual sinking fund instalment £2017. As members are aware these proposals have now been under consideration for some months and I am satisfied that the scheme now arrived at is a sound one. It reduces tho present rate of the annual charges by £2412.” The managing-secretary reported to tho executive that the Loans Board would require further amendments to the conversion scheme, and it was decided to recommend that the board agree to the three Public Trust debenture loans being amalgamated in the one conversion scheme. —Adopted. In connection with claims from nurses recently employed at the maternity home, it was decided that these be left in the hands of the chairman and managing-secretary to confer with Miss Lambic, director Division of Nursing, with power to settle these claims after consultation with Miss Lambie. Finances. Reporting on tho finances of the board, the managing-secretary (Mr. A. J. Phillipps) stated that July had not been such a good month for the collection of patients’ fees as June. Fees colletccd for the four months totalled £2(500, as against £3OOO for tho similar period last year, not including Otaki Sanatorium this year, collections for tho four months were down £IOO a month leaving out the sanatorium fees. Last month was a poor one, but the board might look for a little picking up in patients’ fees if butter and cheese prices moved up as was possible. The secretary stated that maintenance had reached JE10.400, as against £9700 last year for the same period Money was not being spent at the same rate as last year as most of the bigger indents were to hand this year. The summer rate of expenditure would be less than last year. Charitable aid expenditure was £4OO less than last year’s corresponding period. Mr. Hornblow: Due in a large measure to the Mayor’s fund. The secretary: We are handling the account differently this year.