WAIKATO BOSPITAL BOARD

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXIV, Issue 7844, 13 January 1887, Page 6

WAIKATO BOSPITAL BOARD

[BY tklkqraph.— own OJBRKSFONDKNr.] Hamilton, Wednesday. Tub adjourned meeting .of the W&iksto Hospital Board was held in the Borough Council Chambers to-day. Present: Mr. W. A. Graham, of Hamilton (Chairman); Mr. J. Gwynneth, of Cambridge; Messrs. Germann and Teasdale, of Waipa; Messrs. A. Primrose and S. T. Seddon, of Waikato. The Chairman said he had ascertained from Mr. Hay, the Board's solicitor, that the Board was legally entitled to take the action it was doing in commencing operations. This opinion of Mr. Bell, of Wellington, on the legal status of the Board was received and read, showing that the Waikato local bodies were liable for contribution to the Auckland Board until Slit March, 1887, and that the act of the Colonial Treasurer in stopping subsidies was according to law, but that the Waikato Board must maintain its institution till the Slat March, and thatthe Auckland and Thames Boards and united Boards, which are legally corporate, have no functions in the Waikato district at the present time. One thing, the opinion stated, as beyond dispute, was that it was the duty of the Waikato Board to take all the necessary steps for the working of the same, to forthwith make its estimates, resolve its subdivisions, and allocate the contributions of "the separate divisions. - A resolution was proposed by Mr. Graham making the estimate for lowest expenditure £1576, and the revenue at £1050 7a lid, to which latter would be added the Government subsidy of one pound for pound, thus leaving about £600 for charitable aid purposes. The revenue was based on a levying area of onetwelfth of a penny in the £1 ; the expenditure j was made up as follows :—Kent and interest for providing hospital accommodation, £56 ; resident surgeon, £500 ; secretary and relieving officer, £150; two nurses, £120 ; porter and general man, £100; incidental expenses, £150; hospital expenses, £500: total, £1576. Mr. Germann thought the , estimate might be struck at a muoh lower sum. Mr. Gwynneth pointed out that the estimate was one-half what they would have to pay to Auokland if they had not been separated. Mr. Graham then moved the estimates as above, for the year ending 31st March, 1888. Seconded by Mr. Seddon. Mr. Graham pointed out that if the Board did not take action to carry oat its duties it stood a good chance of being forced back by the Legislature into its old connection with the Auckland Board. Mr, Seddon said whether the estimate was too much or too little mattered little, for the money if not required need not be spent, and would be carried on as a surplus to the next year. Mr. Germann and Mr. Teasdale objected to the amount £500 a year proposed to be paid to the doctor. Mr. Germann pointed out that the amounts were only approximate. The resolution was then put and carried, Mr. Germann alone dissenting. Mr. Graham then proposed, "That the Hospital District be resolved into the following sub-divisions : —Piako, Waipa, and Waikato counties ; the Raglan and Kawhia districts, and Raglan County Council for the outlying district,' and the boroughs of Cambridge and Hamilton." Seconded by Mr. Seddon and carried, Mr. Germann alone dissenting. The twelfth of a penny in the ; pound will 5 fall v in the: following proportions .. on . the neveral subdivisions : Piako, . £425: Waikato (including Cambridge borough), £277 14s 7d • Waipa, £238 14« 8d; Hamilton borough" £36 10s l'l ; K»glan County and Highway Boards, £90 11* 2d. It was resolved to open an. account with the Bank of New Zealand. It was proposed by Mr. Gwynnotb, seconded by Mr, Primrose, to ed«

) vertise for the services of a- -secretary i and treasurer at a salary of £150. a year to reside in Hamilton, An amend - • ment, proposed by Mr. Germann, seconded 3 by Mr. Teaidale, that tenders be invited r for performing the duties of treasurer, seorei tary, relieving officer, &c, be called for by ■ advertisement, the lowest tender not neoes- • tarily to be" accepted. It was resolved to r leave out the Work of relieving officer.' For ) the amendment, Messrs. Germann, Teas* , dale and Seddon; against, Messrs. Prim- ) rose, Gwynneth and the Chairman. The latter gave his casting vote against the amendment. The resolution was then put and carried. The question of providing an hospital at Hamilton was discussed. Mr. Gwynneth i suggested that the borough of Hamilton should give a site for an hospital. He thought a temporary building would be sufficient for the next five or six years. It waa proposed by Mr. Gwynnetb, and • seconded by Mr. Teasdale, " That the hos- ) pital be at Hamilton or sabnrba." Carried ) unanimously. Meters. Graham, Chepmell, t Seddon, Teasdale, and Gwynneth were appointed a committee to find the most suit- ' able site, and report to the Board ; three to [ form a quorum. Oα th» motion of Mr. Primrose, the same committee was ap- ■ pointed to select a suitable temporary building • for a hospitnl, and ascertain ' the coat of all necessary furniture, reporting to the next meeting. On the ' motion of Mr, Gwynneth, the chairman was requested to apply to the Government at onoe for lots 43, 44, and 45, Hamilton West, J for the site of a permanent hospital. A ' Waikato Hospital Endowment Committee ' was appointed. Mr. Gywnneth moved that I the chairman be requested to ascertain from ' the local medical men on what terms jointly or otherwise they will undertake the daties \ of the hospital for twelve months ; seconded ; by Mr. Germann, and carried. Some cases of persons applying for charitable aid were I dealt with, and the meeting separated.