Hospital Board

Northland Age, Volume 3, Issue 52, 28 September 1934, Page 9

Hospital Board

ABSTRACT OF BUSINESS A meeting of tbe Mangonui Hospital Board was held on Tuesday of this week when tnere were present Messrs T. S. Houston, Chairman, C. B. Michie, D. H. Lewis, L. J. Matthews, I). Kitchen, J. T. Clark, J. W. Hoskin and F. Holder. New Member Welcomed In welcoming Mr. J. T. Clark, the Town Area's representative Board table, the Chairman spoke Clark's wide connection with bodies of the district and the A. and P. Association, although this was Mr. Clark's first appearance on a local body. Mr. C. B. Michie spoke of Mr. Clark’s work in connection with the laying of the Hospital water supply pipe line. “Mr. Clark brings with him abundant energy, and is a great lighter for what he thinks is right,” said Mr. J. W. Hoskin. It was a case of the pot calling the*kettle black when Mr. D. Kitchen, in welcoming the new member, cautioned him against the use of unparliamentary language at the Board table. Messrs Holder, Matthews and D. Lewis endorsed the remarks of the previous speakers. Mr. Clark briefly responded to the words of welcome. Letter of Sympathy Before commencing the business of the meeting, the Chairman moved a vote of sympathy with the relations of the late Mr. George Wilkinson, a man who had been most prominent in the affairs of the North during the past half century. This was carried in silence, all members standing. Removal of Hospital Affairs In the recent sale of materials at the Hospital, the sum of £4O 6/6 was realised and more materials are yet to he sold. The Town Board is to be asked for an offer for the 25 chains left of water pipe Hue from the River to the Hospital, the Chairman and Secretary being given power to deal with any offer. An expenditure up to £SO for furnishing the Matron’s quarters at the Hospital, was authorised. The action of the Committee in granting a clearance for the removal of the Hospital contract after retaining £SO to complete certain works, was approved. The P.W.D. reported that the electric installation contract was completed, only 12/- being expended on extras. Tenders Tenders are to be called for the erection of a garage at the Hospital. Tenders are also to he called for the supply of firewood, either white ti-tree, puriri or rata, to the Hospital. Official Opening of Hospital It was decided to hold an official opening of the removed Hospital, at a date to he arranged by the Executive. The Minister of Health and the member for the District, are to be asked to he present. Water Supply Mr. T. Nathan waited on the Board with regard to the water pipe line running through his property at Olcahau, Mr. Nathan delivering a long oration in Maori, which was translated for the benefit of members and the press, by the Chairman, Mr. T. S. Houston. Eventually it was decided that Mr. Nathan be given the contract to cover the water pipe line through his property, half the contract to go against Mr. Nathan's Hospital account. Mr. Nathan stated that he was quite willing to allow the pipe line through his property free for the Hospital, but when it came to a supply tor the Town Area this was a horse of another colour. A discussion among the Board members took place on this point, some members contending that the natives had been mislead regarding the easement over the land for the water pipes. As the matter will be finalised at the sitting of the Native Land Court at Kaitaia early next year, no action was taken. The position is that the Hospital Board did not enter into the picture at all, the Town Board has therfvater catchment Area, and that seeing to the easement over the lfcn/, they allowing the Hospital take water from their source of supply, besides subsidising the cost of the pipe line by over £3OO. In return for this expenditure, the Town Board has the right to dispose of the surplus water, the Hospital Board having no power to sell this commodity. The Town Board also has the right to take over the water pipe line at a fixed price, reducible to nil in 16 years. Financial Accounts amounting to £313 11/4 were

passed for payment. The Treasurer, Mr. W. H. Atkins, reported that the Board was overdrawn at the Bank to the extent of £1,200, but that £1,700 was owing the Board by way of levies and subsidies and £1,300 was due next month. As it was not likely that the County Council would pay any levy before February, authority was passed for the limit of the overdraft to be raised to £3,500, the County Council having to pay interest to the Board on levies in arrears. An Appreciation In moving that the Board place on record their appreciation of the services rendered the people of Kaitaia and of the County generally by Mr. L. A. Mclntosh the late representative of the Town Area on the Board. Mr. Mclntosh had done exceptionally good work in all Hospital matters, especially in the removal of the institution. Other members endorsed these remarks and supported the motion. General A five year contract for the care of the elderly men under the Board’s charge, is to be signed with Mr. H. Wilkinson of Kaitaia. Mr. F. Holder was appointed to the Executive of the Board in place of Mr. L. A. Mclntosh. A letter received from the Mangonui Civic League, was discussed in committee. The question of the metalling of the pathsat the Hospital, the building of a ramp at the entrance to the building and of other necessary work required on the Hospital grounds, was left with the Committee and Mr. Clark and Dr. Rule to arrange. A scheme put forward by Dr. Rule for the beautification of the grounds including the levelling, grassing and planting of shrubs in the quadrangle of the buildings, together with a general clean up of the Hospital grounds, will be probably carried out by relief labour. Next Meeting A special meeting of the Board is to be held on Wednesday, October 3rd to consider outstanding patients’ fees. Disposal of X-ray Plant j At the invitation of the Board, Mr. J and Mrs. C. J. E. Barriball and Mr. J. J Garton attended the meeting as representatives of the Eastern Area of the County, to discuss with the Board the disposal of the old X-ray plant. In the re-erected ' Hospital at Kaitaia is installed the new plant donated by Mr. Archibald Stir., and ' so there is no further use for the Mango- 1 nui plant, which was donated by Mr. ’ Casement Aiclten, of Auckland, and the cost of the electric light installation and : installing the X-ray plant, was borne by public subscription, the money being ' raised chiefly in the Eastern Area of the County, Mr. and Mrs. Barriball and Mr. ' Garton being responsible for the getting of most of the money. Mr. Barriball, after thanking the Board for consulting them on the question of the disposal of the old plant, suggested that it be donated to the Whangaroa Hospital, a sister institution that may greatly appreciate the gift, and if Whangaroa Hospital declined the gift, then it be presented to an outlying district hospital where it could be used for the relief of suffering. These remarks were supported by Mrs. Barriball and Mr. Garton. The Board decided to accede to this request, and it was left to Mr. Barriball to approach the Whangaroa Hospital Board regarding the gift. The plant is in good order and, if it were not that Mr. Archibald had donated a newer plant, would have been installed in the County Hospital at Kaitaia.