THE HOSPITAL BOARD.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 15125, 16 October 1912, Page 5

THE HOSPITAL BOARD.

A HOME FOR CONSUMPTIVES. OVERLAPPING OP WORK. Tin: Auckland Hospital Board met last evening. Present: Messrs. H. SchofieM (chairman), P. M. Mackay, F. J. H. Ellisdon, J. Jenkin, E. H. Potter, Wallace, P. J. Norheny, and J. G. Rutherford. Dr. Valintine, Inspector-General of Hospitals, was in attendance. A deputation waited upon the Board in regard to tho necessity for the erection of a cottage hospital at Warkworth. Mr. Daniel Wilson, chairman of tho Town Board, explained that there were 5000 people in the Rodney County, including 700 living in Warkworth. Patients needing hospital attention had at. present to be conveyed to Auckland, and often were brought in from Warkworth at great risk to themselves. Mr. French, representing the Rodney County Council, and Mr. Lotts, representing three friendly societies, also spoke in favour of tho establishing of a cottage hospital.

Dr. Valintine stated that ho would visit the district as soon as possible after the end of the present Parliamentary session.

It was resolved that the chairman (Mr. Schofield) and Mr. Dye should accompany the Inspector-General upon the occasion of his visit of inspection. Tho senior-resident medical officer reported that on. October 11 and 12 ho had admitted to the hospital no less than four cases of consumption of the lungs. Ho stated that 'there was really no accommodation in the hospital for such cases. It was resolved that tho architect be instructed to prepare plans for a building, to accommodate 50 beds, the building to be erected on tho land acquired from tho Knox trustees. Tho building is to bo of a very simple character.

A committee consisting of Messrs. Potter, Nerheny, Mack ay, Coyle, and Rutherford was set up to inquire into the overlapping of work on tho part of tho secretarial staff at tho hospital and at the Board's offices.

MEDICAL SUPERINTENDENT. DR. HIRE'S POSITION. The appointment of a medical superintendent to the Auckland Hospital was again under discussion last evening. In a letter to the Board, Dr. Macguire, senior resident medical ooicer, asked for further information in regard to his proposed appointment, as he was afraid that by accepting the appointment temporarily he might possibly be prejudicing his contract with (ho Board. He was desirous of meeting the Board, provided that terms that were fair and just were arranged. The Inspector-General (Dr. Valintine) slated that he had spoken to Dr. Macguire, and the latter had intimated that he was only too anxious to meet the Board, provided he did not in any way prejudice his appointment. Mr. Mackav: "What is our solicitor's opinion ? The Chairman (Mr. Schofield) : Really, we have nothing definite. Continuing, he said that it was not the desire of the Board to prejudice Dr. Macguire's interests in any way. There was nothing, in his. opinion, to prevent Dr. Macguire from accepting the position of medical superintendent. Mr. Mackay held that a written opinion should bo available. The Chairman moved; "That Dr. Macguire be asked to undertake the duties of acting-medical superintendent to administer the new by-Jaws as approved by the Board, the Board wishing Dr. Macguire to understand that by thus undertaking these duties he will not in any way prejudice the terms of his present appointment." Mr. Macky seconded the motion, which was carried. It was resolved that the Board's solicitor be instructed to forward a written opinion in regard to the position.