HOSPITAL AND CHARITABLE AID BOARD.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXVI, Issue 11202, 24 October 1899, Page 3

HOSPITAL AND CHARITABLE AID BOARD.

The ordinary meeting of the Auckland Hospital and Charitable Aid Board was held at the office, High-street, yesterday afternoon, Mr. J. Stichbury, chairman, presiding. There were also present: Messrs. T. Allen, A. P. Friend, Jas. Jamieson, A. Bruce, Y. Warren, J. E. Taylor, the Rev. W. Finlay Wilson. Admission of Patient: A communication was read from the Waikato Board stating that A. R. Honey, of Auckland, had been admitted to the local hospital. It was decided to advise the Waikato Board to send the patient to Auckland as soon as he was in a fit condition for removal. Costley Home Patient : On the recommendation of the Charitable Aid Committee, with the consent of the Whangarei Board, who were prepared to pay the cost, it was agreed to allow the man Peterson, suffering from cancer, to remain at the Costley Home for the present, it being stated that the treatment being afforded the patient was proving beneficial to him. Agricultural Show: The Auckland Agricultural Association wrote notifying the Board that they would be pleased to admit the inmates of the Costley Home to the forthcoming agricultural show. It was decided to thank the association for their kind invitation. Interments: Mr, Mclvor wrote stating that he had not carried out the instructions of the house steward with regard to the burial of the man, J. Arbour, who had not I been interred in the Church of England Cemetery with the Anglican burial rites, owing to his not being a member of the Anglican Church. The chairman pointed out that Mr. Mclvor had acted wivigly in not carrying out the instructions of the house steward, on behalf of the Board, and on his motion it was decided to instruct the contractor that in future he must carry out the written instructions 01 the Board with regard to interments. Adoption of Children: At the request of Mr. H. W. Brabant, S.M., it was decided to allow the officer to report upon the ability of persons offering to adopt children to take charge of the same. Finance: The statement of accounts showed a credit balance of £1642 10s sd. Charitable Aid: The Charitable Aid Committee reported the readmission of three old persons, one female and two males, and the admission of a fourth old person to the Costley Home. The report was adopted. Hospital Report: The report of the medical superintendent set forth the patients in the hospital at last return as 91 males, 43 females; admissions since, 34 males, 12 females ; deaths, five males, three females; discharged, 33 males, 13 females; remaining at the institution, 87 males, 39 females. Only one case of typhoid fever had been admitted during the term, the patient coining from Paniell. Operations: On the suggestion of the honorary staff and medical superintendent, it was decided to alter rule 20. to allow of operations being performed during Wednesday forenoon and afternoon, and Thursday and Friday afternoons, instead of confining them to Wednesdays only. Assistant Medical Officer: No application having been received in New Zealand for the position of assistant medical officer, it was decided to advertise the vacancy in the leading Australian papers. D.T. Cases: The Chairman moved that the resolution of the Board passed on November 21, 1898, " That the Board take the responsibility of refusing admission for treatment for delirium tremens to G. E. Bentley and Wm. Davey," be rescinded. After some discussion, in the course of which Messrs. Wilson, Allen, and Jamieson, opposed the rescinding of the resolution, the first-named moved as an amendment, " That Messrs. Hesketh and Richmond be requested to take the opinion of counsel, Mr. Theo. Cooper, as to whether the Board can legally refuse admission to persons suffering from delirium tremens, and more particularly in the cases of persons who have suffered from a previous attack or attacks.' 1 The amendment, on being put, was lost, and it was ultimately decided to defer the matter to next meeting. Notice of Motion : Mr. Taylor gave notice to move at next meeting," That if no-license is not carried at the next licensing poll, a new padded cell for delirium tremens cases be built within the hospital grounds, but far enough away from all other patients as not to be a nuisance to them." Costley Home: The report of the Costley Home stated that six old persons had been admitted to the home, the total number of inmates being 123 males and 48 females, an increase of four over the previous return. The report was adopted. Accommodation for Staff: Pursuant to notice given, Mr. Friend moved, "That in view of the facts revealed at last meeting as to the inadequate accommodation prevailing for several months past at the Nurses' Homo, and the occupation by nurses of spaco in the new Costley Wards, intended for patients, steps be at once taken either to enlarge the home or provide suitable accommodation for the present or any increased staff which may prove necessary on the adoption of an eight hours' system at the beginning of the financial year." The mover referred to the inadequate accommodation at tho Nurses' Home, there being no less than 10 nurses occupying beds in the Costley Wards—beds that had been subscribed to by the public for a specific purpose. In other directions, the accommodation was inadequate, and he thought immediate steps should be taken to make the necessary provision for the increased staff required in accordance with the eight hours' system. Mr. Allen seconded, and after a brief discussion the question was adjourned to next meeting.