Meeting of Hospital Board

Northland Age, Volume XVI, Issue 17, 26 November 1946, Page 4

Meeting of Hospital Board

HEREKINO NEWS

High Tides at Ahipara

Mi. J. W. Hoskin presided over Messrs. C. J. E. Barriball, W. J. Steed, E. F. Bradley, D. Kitchen, W. Metcalfe, J. T. Clark, T. Houston and the Secretary, Mr. A. G. Wilson, at last Friday’s meeting of .he Hospital Board. A letter from the Air Department advised the Board that they were prepared to rent the 22-volt. generator now installed at the hospital on a hire basis. The charge to the Board would be 3/3 per working hour with no charge for standing time. A monthly return would have to be made. Members thought that this price was no. excessive. There was a possibility that electricity would be in short supply next winter and now that the machine was installed it was a tremendous advantage. The Air Department’s offer was finally accepted, but -the Secretary is to write asking for a lower price. In his hospital report the Secretary, Mr. A. G. Wilson, stated that there were 38 patients in hospital at the end ef September. There were 117 admitted during October, 108 were discharged, there was one death, leaving 46 patients remaining in hospital at the end of October. The daily average was 42.06, as compared with 36.97 in September and 29.7 for October, 1945. This was the highest figure for a long period, said the Secretary. However, 27 out of the 11 1 patients admitted were maternity cases. A Christmas Cheer Fund is to be instituted shortly to raise funds for the purpose of making the patients’ Christmas in hospital as happy as possible. The Secretary’s financial report was considered to be very gratifying. It bore out Mr. T. S. Houston’s contention for years that the Secretary should be on the job, said Mr. Hoskin, Chairman. The collective days stay of patients this year has been 8034 as compared with 7041 last year, an increase of 12 percent. This year’s average occupied bed rate has been 37.54 compared with 32.99 last year, an increase of 4i per day. Accounts totalling £1,360 10/11 were passed for payment. The purchase of timber for the erection of a cowshed on the hospital farm was left to Mr. Metcalfe. The offer made to the Board by Mr. George Evans of a lamb for Christmas Day, was gratefully accepted. Mr. Houston supplied the following remit to go forward to the Hospital Boards conference : All sales tax and duties should be remitted on all purchases made by hospital boards. “We are not a profit-making concern,” said Mr. Houston.

SCHOOL CALF CLUB AND SWEET PEA DAY On Thursday a Calf Club and sweet pea day was held at the school. The day being fine, there was a very fair attendance of people. The ladies provided afternoon tea. The judging of the calves was done by Mr. H. Thompson, who very kindly came for the day from Kaitaia. Miss A. Kea.v was judge of the sweet peas. The following were the prize winners : Calves, senior—Dick Abel 1, Iris Curreen 2, Robert Smith 3. Calves, junior—Cliff Abel 1, Ronnie Murray 2, Rodney Abel 3. Wilma and Ronnie Murray tied for first place in the sweet pea competition and Gordon Murray was 3rd. Mr. Hunt thanked every one for helping to make the day a success, with special thanks to Mr. Thompson, and to Mr. Abel for carting the calves to school. Personal Mr. Bob Berghan, Kawakawa, spent the weekend with his parents. Mr. Kerr and Mr. L. Houghton motored t 0 Auckland last week and returned on Tuesday night. Mr. Arlie Murray who recently underwent an operation in the County Hospital, is progressing favourably. Miss Joyce Murray is home again after spending several days in Hospital.

The following are the times of high water at Ahipara, Ninety Mile Beach, though they will naturally varv slightly according to the wind. -At Aw'anui and Mangonui, high water is approximately one hour earlier.

a.m. p.m. Wednesday 27th 11.32 . 11.40 Thursday 28th — . 0.9 Friday 29th 0.20 . 0.45 Saturday 30th 0.59 . 1.25 December Sunday 1st 1.40 . 2.8 Monday 2nd 2.25 . 2.42 Tuesday 3rd 3.14 . 3.40 Wednesday 4th 4.8 4.35 5.7 . 5.35