HOSPITAL AND CHARITABLE AID BOARD.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 12000, 24 June 1902, Page 3

HOSPITAL AND CHARITABLE AID BOARD.

The ordinary meeting of the Auckland Hospital and Charitable Aid Board was held at the Board's office, High-street, yesterday afternoon, Mr. J. Stichbury (chairman) presiding. There were also present: Messrs. G. .7. Garland, J. R. Walters, A. R. Harris, A. Bruce, .1. McLeod, A. P. Friend, and John Bollard, M.H.R.

Tenders: The Finance Committee reported that* the following tenders for supplies for 12 months from July 1 had been accepted:—Groceries, G. R. Hutchinson; meat, fowls, and ire, Messrs. R. and W. Hellaby, Limited; coal, Messrs. W. and G. Winstone; crockery, Messrs. Tanfield, Potter, and Co.; printing, W. Wilkinson: wines and spirits, A. Kidd; drapery. Direct. Supply Company. Consumption of Drug*: The Finance Committee recommended the Board to appoint a. committee to discuss with the senior medical officer and honorary visiting staff the question of the large increase in the consumption of drugs, sundries, and medical comforts in the hospital. The recommendation was adopted, and a committee, consisting of Messrs. Bruce, Dignati, Friend, (Jarland, and the secretary, was appointed. Supply of Meat: Messrs. Marks and Co. wrote, stating that the Finance Committee had done them an injustice in not considering their tender when dealing with the meat supplies for the hospital and Costley Home. The tender was lower than that accepted. Mr. Garland said that he had carefully gone through the tenders, and on the whole found the one accepted was lower than that of Messrs. Marks and Co., and on his motion it was decided to ad rise the writers accordingly. Consumption of Gas: Mr. Garland drew attention to the large quantity of gas consumed last month, the cost for which amounted to no less than £59. On his motion it was decided to ask the chief medical officer to report to the Board at next meeting on the matter.

Charitable Aid Committee: The report of the Charitable Aid Committee, recommending the admission of eight old persons to the Costley Heme, was adopted. Hospital Report: The report of the medical officer on the hospital gave the number of inmates at last return as 135 males and 66 females, the admissions since 77, the deaths six, and the discharges 67, leaving 139 males and 66 females in the institution.

Fire Escapes: The chief medical officer reported that the means of escape in case of fire at the main buildings at the hospital were totally inadequate. There were only a few buckets, and a Lose or two, while the main and back staircases were of wood, and would quickly be demolished in case of fire. If a. fire occurred in the nurses' home, they would assuredly be burned to death. Mr. Friend suggested that the matter should be referred to the architect, who might consult with the superintendent of the Auckland Fire Brigade. The appliances in ease of fire were totally inadequate, and should be attended to at once. It was a grave state of affairs, as matters stood at present. Messrs. Walters, Harris, and Garland supported immediate action being taken, the latter stating that it reflected greatly upon any architect wlk> would put up buildings such as the hospital, nurses' home, and Costley wards, and Costley Home, without making proper provision for escape in case of fire. It was decided to adopt Mr. Friend's suggestion. Costley Home: ' The Costley Home Committee reported that there were 200 inmates in the Costley Home, as against 207 at last return. The admissions since last return had been four, the discharges eight, and the deaths two. Mr. Garland drew attention to the fact that there were certain chronic and practically incurable cases in the hospital that might well be removed to the Costley Home, where their upkeep would not reach half the amount of their maintenance if there was only room at the latter institution. The Costley Home was, however, in a congested state at the present time, and it was necessary that something should be done to | meet these eases. The matter was then ali lowed to drop. ' r ; "