HOSPITAL AND CHARITABLE AID BOARD.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXVII, Issue 8272, 3 June 1890, Page 5

HOSPITAL AND CHARITABLE AID BOARD.

The Auckland Hospital and Charitable - Aid Board met yesterday. Present: Messrs. Atkin (chairman), Mayß, Swales, Lennox, Buckland, Kidd, Udy, and Dignan. The Hospital.—The Medical Superintendent, Dr. Collins, reported that there were now in the Hospital B.'l men and 38 women. There had been five deaths during the fortnight. Three of the patients were dying when admitted. Stowaways.—lt was announced that two men who had come to Auckland as stowaways by the mail steamer from Sydney, Paterson and Collins, had been sent from the gaol to the Hospital; and a man named Andrew Maloney, who had also been a stowaway, had been admitted to the Hospital. Mr. Garland said that steps were being taken to make the authorities of the ship in which Maloney came liable, as 14 days had not yet expired since his arrival here. In the case of Paterson and Collins, however, 30 days had passed since they came to Auckland, and the Board could do nothing. Supplies.—The annual tenders for supplies for Hospital, Refuges, and Costley Home were received. There were two for the supply of drugs, and they were referred to the House Committee. Three tenders were received for groceries, and were sent to the House Steward of the Hospital. Of two tenders for bread, that of Mr. Farrell (Onehunga), 2d per 21b loaf, was accepted. Only one tender was received for meat, &c, that from R. and W. Heilaby. It was thought that the prices were too high, and it was resolved to call for fresh tenders. Four tenders were received for milk, and that of Mr. Pilkington, 6d per gallon, was accepted. Of two tenders for butter and eggs, Mr. Row's—butter, B*d per lb ; eggs, Is Id per dozenwas accepted. Mr. Bennett's tender was accepted for the supply of coal, (of four that were received), and Mr, Hobson's for that of firewood. For coffins and burials, Mr. J. Garratt's tender was accepted, the following being the prices ; — Adult coffin, Gs ; child's coffin, .3.?, and interment at Waikomiti, including coffins, £1 7s 6d for adult; 18s 6d for children. Seven tenders for printing were referred to a committee for consideration, and two for the supply of crockery were sent to the House Steward. The following tenders were accepted for rations : —Bread, Trevvin, Id per lb ; groceries, P.. Rew, 1 jd. Tendors for rations in the suburbs were accepted as follows -.—North Shore, R. and R. Duder, 2|d ; Onehunga, R, J. Farrell, 3±d ; Otahuhu and Panmure, J. Hall, o^cl: Howick, J. Burrow, 4d ; Wade, Bond Brothers, 3d ; Waiuku, Thomas Finlay, 3^d. The Head Nurse.—Mr. Bollard, moved, " That the Lady Superintendent's salary be £100 a-year." " He thought the present salary, £75 a-year, was too low, and if they wanted to carry out the spirit of Mr. Costley's bequest, which was intended not so much for the relief of the ratepayers as for providing the poor with additional comforts, they must have good nurses, paying them good salaries. The motion was lost. Mr. Mays thought as there was a medical superintendent at the Hospital, who was in control of the institution, and as they could not have two superintendents, the title of " Lady Superintendent " should be abolished, and that the title of Miss Baker in her new office be 'head nurse,'" Mr. Bollard opposed this motion. He considered that the Board were lowering the dignity of the institution. Mr. Dignan pointed out that there was now no honorary staff, and that the Medical Superintendent had the charge of the Hospital. They could not have two superintendents. Mr. Lennox thought the title of the office would have very little effect upon the comfort of the patients. What the Board wanted was a good head nurse, and they had got a very good nurse. He believed that the Hospital never was in a more efficient state than at present. The chairman said that the Hospital had never had so much attention as during the past two years. Mr. Kidd moved an amendment, "That the title be ' matron.' " This was lost, and Mr. Mays' motion was carried. Gardener.—lt was resolved to call for applications for the office of gardener at the Costley Home, at a salary of 30s per week.

The consideration of other matters wa deferred.