Mangonui Hospital Board Meets

Northern Advocate, 26 May 1941, Page 2

Mangonui Hospital Board Meets

The first meeting of the Mangonui Hospital Board following the election was held on Friday. Cnairman Elected

There were two nominations for the chairmanship, Messrs. W. J. Steed and J. W. Hoskin, and on a vote being taken the voting was four for each candidate. The names were placed in a hat and Mr. Hoskin’s name came out first, making him chairman for the ensuing year. Mr. W. J. Steed was elected deputy chairman.

The two new members, Messrs. T. S. Houston and H. Sanders, were welcomed by the chairman. Hampering War Effort The following resolution was received from the Lake County Council: "As a result of the experience during recent months, both from the' 4 financial and manpower aspect, the Lake County Council is convinced that the effect of existing legislation relative to labour is so retarding production and business activities that the war effort is being definitely retarded and the council considers that the Government should at once be pressed to bring about an immediate cessation of the 40-hour week, together with its many hampering regulations. The council further contends that the temporary waiving of ideals, rights and privileges of both employer and employee is, in the present circumstances, fully justified. If the people of New Zealand are to be permitted to co-operate to the full, as is being done in England, and give their unlimited backing to the fighting forces, all such obstacles should, at once, be removed.” Mr. Clark said he would have no hesitation in supporting the resolution. They should not, he said, have had to fight for the 44-hour week. The chairman raised the question of whether the board should deal with matters which were political. Mr Steed: If the, price of butterfat went up, no one would object. The matter before thpm was, to his mind, partly political, and the board should exercise care. Mr Sanders took the same view. It was decided, on the casting vote of the chairman, to take no action. Joint Drainage Scheme

A letter was received from the department approving of the proposal to jqin with the Housing Department in providing drainage for the hospital, with the effluent at the nearest stream. Should there not be a sufficient volume of water in the stream to avoid a nuisance the question of having the drainage continued to the main stream would have to be considered.

Crude Heating Process The danger resulting from the use of a benzine primus for sterilisation purposes was emphasised by Mr. Houston. Mr. BarribalL The steam reticulation is one of the most urgent things we have to deal with at the present time. The sooner they had this system the better. The clerk said that an application had been made for materials, and the board could not very well hasten the steam reticulation.

The chairman: It is fortunate that we have Mr. Frost to advise us in cases of this kind. Had the board to bring a man from Whangarei it would be very costly? Mr. Matthews: We must retain Mr. Frost’s services as long as we can. The secretary: In the circumstances, the only way is to go back at present to the kerosene primuses. It was decided to give effect to the secretary’s suggestion. Hospital Statistics The secretary reported that 36 patients were in hospital at the beginning of last month. During the month 57 patients were admitted (including 15 maternity cases). Fifty-two had been discharged, and three had died, leaving 38 in the institution at the end of the month. The average number of occupied beds for the month was 47.06, compared with 36.23 for the previous month, and 32.16 for April last year

Hospital Supplies It was decided to invite tenders for hospital supplies, and, in view of the possible variation in prices in future, the general committee was given power to review the schedule as may be required.

Position Accepted

A wire was received from Mr. Sullivan who, with his wife, had been appointed to take charge of the laundry and attend to other duties, accepting the conditions as set out by the board. Grounds Committee

Messrs. Clark and Houston were appointed a grounds committee. Mr. Houston said there were quite a number of matters requiring attention. Firewood, for instance, was being delivered in logs too large to handle. Mr. Clark: If two men can place the logs on a lorry our two men should be able to place them in position for sawing and the saw would easily cut the logs. In any case I have a maul and wedges which they can have the use of. Mr. Matthews: Mr. Houston can hold the wedge and Mr. Clark can use the maul. Mr. Houston: Not me! I'm not going to hold the wedge. On the motion of Mr. Barriball, it was left to the grounds committee to have a section acquired by the board ploughed and harrowed and have such top-dressing of other land as may be necessary done. It was also left with them to have a right-of-way between the old hospital grounds and the newly-acquired section transferred so that it would not cut through the hospital grounds. Smoke Nuisance

Mr. Houston said he had been informed that the laundry chimney was too low, and that the smoke was doing a great deal of damage. He had understood that the architect had made ample provision against trouble of this kind. Mr. Frost was much concerned. The secretary: The chimney is 30ft. high from the ground floor. The secretary was instructed to obtain spouting needed for renewals. Accounts

Accounts totalling £261/10/- were passed for payment. Board Meeting Days •

Mr. Metcalf suggested that for the future the date for the board’s meeting be fixed so that members could make their arrangements so as to fit in with the meeting. The chairman said the variation in the day had made it rather difficult for him. Other matters had to stand in abeyance fill he knew when the board was to meet and he never knew that till he received the notice. The secretary: It makes no difference to me. Meetings are sometimes held back, till certain accounts come in. On the motion of Mr. Matthews the meetings were fixed for the third Thursday in the month. Replying to Mr. Houston the secretary said there were only two occupants of the old men’s home at present.