North Auckland H. and C. A Board

Northern Advocate, 7 December 1906, Page 2

North Auckland H. and C. A Board

CHAIRMAN'S ANNUAL REPORT. The following report was read by the Chairman (Mr J. D. McKenzic) at the North Auckland Hospital and Charitable Aid Board, held on Wednesday evening :— CHAIRMAN'S REPORT. The following is the Chairman's report, as read ;■— Gentlemen,— Before retiring from the position on this Board in which you have placed me, I beg to thank you for the consideration which you have always extended to me, both as a member and as your Chairman. , Circumstances over which I have no control, render my, retirement imperative. Such is public life under representative government, and no matter how zealous the individual may be in the performance of his duties, he has to give way to public opinion, and to accept the verdict philosophically. I shall, however, carry with me many pleasant recollections, and I shall always take an interest in your undertakings.- The year which has just passed has been one of progress, inasmuch as you have added another institution to the list, and one that must prove a boon to a large section of the community, as well as being an ornament to the district. I refer to the Mangonui Hospital, which is just completed. In this connection, it is fitting that we pay a tribute to the memory of the; late Premier, who recognised the importance of an institution of this kind at Mangoriui, and sanctioned a grant in aid of its building. We have also to thank the present Minister for timely assistance towards ,lunushing and sanitary arrangements,' which,' when completed, will make it one of the best of its size -in the Colony. Before entering into the details of the year's work, I have ; been asked to, intimate the retirement of our . esf^ teemed Secretary and Treasurer, -Mr Mair. He has now completed 19 years' hard and faithful ser^'ce to" the Board, and it is, for this meeting to decide upon some fitting recognition of his long services. It will be necessary to make Some provision to fill the vacancy f at an earlfcttate, and I would suggest that we .employTtlemporary assistance *in th«> meaiitiihef and then call for applications by advertisement for the' position, ; at a salary to be fixed by this Board, preference being" given to a man who' is typist. When you "take into*Cohsider--at ion the volume of correspondence received and answered in this office,' and also the amount of money which the Treasurer has to deal with, it must strike you, as it has struck me, that the salary which has been paid to the retiring officer is put of all proportion to the services rendered. . ■ ■;■ -■-■'"• ?'/-'/;■'_ '•' ■ —Whangaiej Hospital .-» This institution is now fulfilling its proper function. The establishment of a- private hospital in "the district has relieved us of cases for which a public hospital; Was never intended, such as those who can afford to pay for private treatment, and who expect special consideration and attention. Workmen are now employed in constructing septic tanks and connecting the various points about the building with them. This work hats Aeen^.urged api?!^ the complaint of., the , Whangarei S^ctol^Cojnimitl*e _• ancf the r pirpp^ty^ owners through whose land the drainHealth Officer. The money required age passes, and also . the Public to do the work has feeeh raised locally by a, hospital, ball, which, with the Government' subsidy added, gives a total of £150. After the two tanks and all tbje connections are completed, there wiU tte a balance, VhM it is proposed %o spend on the grounds and at the, Home; ' . . : s —The Horned— . There is nothing special to report in connection with this institution, with the exception of a visit from the Matron -oft^e^WeMingtoii^dme^for 5 the aged poor, who expressed herself well pleasM with the institation and witn the lines ton which; M ...'is* iconducted. ■ , • -: r — Bawene Cottage Hospital. — ?; JThe plans .fp.fefthe^ proposed new building are in the hands of the architect, who is awaiting information froia "-^he Department ~6n o)nf orj|wo points, and also for the levels which were to be sent by Mr Vaughan. The Matron reports that Nurse- Jackson has resigned, and that she has a difficulty in filling the yac^nc^, and; ,1 re-r gret to say that we are unable to send a nurse from here fwithout^jfiicbnv«nietiee. ■' .H'l-^ll^'^C f^'~Mangonui.— , This building is now completed,, and I gather, from the ;architect, alter his last Tis^'^haV^e v '%drk.' ; iiaiß been f aithf uM j carried out by the contractor' up to th% date of nis visit; The final, inspection .will be made shortly, and 1 understand that there are claims for extras upon which he will have to report. Since our lust] meeting,! the Parliamentary Supple-" mentary Estim;ates ,are ; Ikj hand, showing that the sum of £500 asked for towards the furnishing and sanitary arrangements' at the hospital h?d been granted. We. immediately asking when the money would be available, butf ' up to tti^ no Tfeply lias been received^ Witg&id to the special rate struck by the Mangonui County Council in aid of the Building Fund, and objected to by the" Audit" lnspector/ l;'jßn:ff|thiEit; the money can be paia over under Section 290 of " The Counties Act," bui* Without subsidy. I had an interview with the BonY (Jeoirge 1 Fowl ds on the matter, and he has promised to make a grant equal to the disallowed subsidy, which I hope will, settle the dispute satisfactorily. It was my intention" to review; the whole year's work in this, report, but I refrained from doing so' but- of consideration for your valuable time.— l am, Yours faithfully, J. D. McKENZIE^. Chairman. Whangareif -- • -:■;..-::-•- .--^^^^^ December 5, 1906. . ; -