MANGONUI HOSPITAL BOARD

Northland Age, Volume 26, Issue 9, 23 June 1926, Page 6

MANGONUI HOSPITAL BOARD

MONTHLY MEETING The above Board met at Kaitaia last Thursday. Present Messrs ('. B. Mich it* (chairman), L. J. Matthews, J.N. Berghan, E. Evans K Bank'. D. Archibald, C. J. Barriball, and D. Kitchen. LIGHTING SCHEME The D.reCtor-Gt neral of Health wrote as follows: —In accordance with the promise made at the recent meeting with your Board at Mangonui, Mr. Allan interv ewed both Turnbull & Jones, and Anderson & Co., electrical engineers, Auckland. The question was discussed very fully and it was found that both firms had gone to a great deal of trouble and some expense in connection with their tenders and the ordering of the plant for which both firms had recicved an acceptance from your Board. Both firms were emphatic that they would resent withdrawing to allow fresh tenders being called and pointed out that their prices, not only for the plant, but for the wiring, were in the hands of the other firms, who had submitted tenders. Therefore they would consider it unfair and unjust if the Board considered to purchase of another plant and the calling of fresh tenders for its installation. As unquestionably the Board had committed its If with both firms by placing an order with each for the installation of an electricplant at the Mangonui hospital and by so doing laid itself open to either accepting delivery of two plants or paying compensation claims. Mr.Allenthoughtitwell to abondon the idea of purchasing the plant mentioned asavailable in the district (Lake Ohia) and suggested that an arrangement might be arrived by which Turnbal! & Jones supply the plant anti Anderson & Co carry out the installation. With this in view Turnball & Jones, and Anderson & Co were brought together and at the meeting both firms agreed to the suggestion and came to an understanding re their ptoportionatechargcs. The position now stands that Anderson & Co are prepared to carry out the electric lighting installation of the hospital for the sum of £1045 less 2'a> per cent, Turnball & Jones to supply the plant to Anderson & Co as set out in their tender to your Board. In addition the Board will pay one third of the out-of-pocket expenses incurred by the two firms in question, these being estimated at from £2O to £3O. The fact that the 2!2 per cent reduction offered by Turnbull and Jones on their original tender will be given to the Board under the new arrangementmeans that the Board’s share of the out-of-pocket expenses should be more than met from the £26-2-6 which it represents. I am strongly of the opinion, the writer continued, that your Board should accept this solution of its difficulties for by so doing it will get a first-class plant and at the same time arrange settlement of the position which may have run the Board intoexpensive

litigation. •The Board agreed to accept the suggestion as outlined above whereby Anderson & Co will carry out all wiring and the provision and installation of the plant which will be obtained through Turnbull & Jones for £1045 less 2 1 /i per cent, the Board to pay one-third of out-of-pocket expenses incurred through the Board misunderstanding the first tenders on that condition that the total amount of same does not exceed £3O and the Board’s liability dots not exceed £lO. Arrangements will be made to instal the plant at an early date. KAITAIA HOSPITAL At the recent conference at Mangonui Dr. Valentine recommended a larger area than five acres as a site for the proposed cottage hospital at Kaitaia. With a view to ascertaining what land adjoining could be bought for Mr. Archibald interviewed Mr. F. H. S, Matthews, the owner. Mr. Matthews wrote to the Board submitting anewofferof land, which if approved by the Board, would give an area, altogether, of about 17 acres 2 roods, in a compact block. In the plan he made propision for a road (if de-ired) giving accesstothe Kaitaia-Herekino road which has been gazetted a main highway which, he claimed, bill always be a good road with iasy gradient to hospital ground; fhe proposed block of land would lave a frontage of abdut 14 chains K> Redan Road. I On number two block there are. Le Jcttfcr contin ied, excellcn. Kiil di rlooking the Bwt»wb : ch woulu be suitable for ■rses’cottage, etc. Hewaswilftg to sell the land as under ,

Block No. 1 at £7O per acre. ■ Block No. 2 at £SO per acre. Option one month and terms cash within three months.

The B urcl inspected the land offered and discussed the matter. Mr. Kitchen characterised the price asked is absurd and suggested asking the Department not to press for extra land at present. There was a reserve of 17 acres about a quarter of a mile away which could be utilised. Messrs Barriball, Bcrghan, Evans, and the chairman did not tavour buying at the price mentioned. Mr. Archibald thought they should have at least seven acres and if they could not buy at a reasonable price they should consider taking extra land under Public Works Act.

Mr. L. J. Matthews thought the land was being offered at a reasonable price and Mr. Archibald’s

suggestion to take the land under the Public Works Act was an unfair way to treat the offer. The chairman said he regretted Mr. Archibald’s suggestion which was too drastic. The locality in which the land was situated was the coming residential area. Mr. Matth ws had sold the “eyes” of his property to the Board and had shown public spirit. He did not think the Board should move to have the land taken under the Act. At the same time the Board should have more than five acres. Mr. Kitchen said that if the land was taken under the Public Works Act the Board would get it for about £lO an acre. Dealing with the plan of the proposed cottage hospital Mr. Kitchen contended that it should be revised to in ike it suitable for future extension as the main hospital. The Board should, he said, drop all further improvements at the Mangonui hospital. A committee consisting of Messrs Banks, Archibald, Matthews and Michie was appointed to ascertain on what terms and conditions the Board would be able to lease - with the purchasing clause an additional area of land from three to five acres adjoining the present property held bv the Board. The Board also resolved to write to the Department ascertaining whether additional land is necessary lor building purposes alone, seeing that a hospital teserve of some 17 acres is in close proximity to the present site.

MEDICAL SUPERINTENDENT

Dr. Valentine’s recommendation I that Dr. Price be asked to withi draw his resignation as medical j superintendent was discussed, the chairman expressing the opinion that Dr. Price's resignation had been accepted by ths Board and that closed the matter. He had discussed the matter with Dr. Price, but was unable to arrive at a solution, Dr. Price refusing to give ground re the calling in of outside practitioners. Under the circumstances he did not see that the Board was bound to carry out Dr. Valentine’s recommendation. Mr. Kitchen said that since Dr. Price had resigned and had not b *en asked by the Board to resign it would show weakness on the Board’s part to ask him to withdraw his resignation. Mr. Matthews favoured asking Dr. Price to reconsider his decision. Dr. Valentine had made it clear to the Board that that was the right course.

Mr. Evans supported this view. He thought it only reasonable to abide by Dr. Valentine’s recommendation.

Mr. Berghan opposed asking the doctor to withdraw. Mr. Banks said Dr. Valentine was not in the position of the Board, which had been a buffer between two quarrelling men. If Dr. Price was reinstated the row would go on and this would not make for the best service at the hospital. Dr. Price had resigned and the Board should let him go. Mr. Archibald thought the Board should not turn down Dr. Valentine’s recommendation unless they were dissatisfied with Dr. Price’s service. Mr. Barriball put the trouble down to professional jealousy. Dr. Price was a very efficient superintendent. Mr. Matthews moved and Mr. Evans seconded that Dr. Price be asked to reconsider his resignation. The voting was:—For: Matthews, Evans, Archibald, Barriball. Against: Michie, Banks, Berghan, Kitchen. The chairman gave his casting vote against and declared the motion lost. “MUTILATED” ACCOUNT At the last month’s meeting of the Board some items in Mr. A. McKay’s account were deferred for payment, and as a result Mr. McKay wrote to last week’s meeting as follows: —“1 might say it seems scarcely business etiquette to mutilate an account and pay it without asking for or giving an explanation. Ihave heard of two items that exception was

taken to re prices, namely, bacon and chaff. The best rolled bacon has always been supplied to the hospital, which costs imAuckland : 2d per ll> and southern chaff, which 1 have supplied in April and May cost 10 6 per sack landed it Mangonui and the lasi chaff cost 11/l per sack and the butter supplied has been practically at cost price. Whoever the critic is as to prices, if he can quote bacon the same quality so that I can sell to the hospital for I'2d per lb I should be glad to place an order with him.” GENERAL It was resolved that the chairman, along with the president of the Kaitaia Chamberof Commerce interview the postmaster re direct telephone connection with the Mangonui hospital. The tender of Mr. H. W. Jones of £314 19 9 for hospital supplies for six months was accepted. The only other tender received was that of Mr. A. McKay, of £317 1 1. The Board decided to review outstanding hospital fees at next meeting. A motion by Mr. Archibald that a Finance Committee be appointed to supervise and control all expenditure, also the inauguration ot some new system of controlling and purchasing supplies, all buying to be subject to the approval of the said committee, no expense to be incurred in any department without the approval of the said committee, was lost.

A telegram was received from Mr. Allen Bell, M.P., advising that the Minister of Health will authorise the construction of the proposed hospital at Kaitaia. He has invited the Minister to visit the electorate as soon as the session is over.

It was resolved that the letter from Dr. Chesson, Medical Officer of Health, re Dr. Rix and native patients be received. This was in connection with Nurse Fergtisson’s letter to Dr. Chesson. The chairman said that this was a matter outside the jurisdiction of the Board, but as one of the Natives concerned was present at the meeting he would, in fairness to Dr. Rix, like to hear him.

Adam Latimer said he thought there had been a misunderstanding, and made 1 long explanation the gist of which was that Nurse Fergusson was mistaken in thinking that his wife meant that Dr. Rix had said he would charge £4 as alleged. His wife had ,not said that Dr. Rix said his charge would be £4 for attention at t<he hospital.