HOSPITAL CONTROL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 18762, 16 July 1924, Page 12

HOSPITAL CONTROL.

ASSOCIATION OF BOARDS.

PROPOSAL FOR CONFERENCE.

QUESTION OF DENTAL SCHOOL.

The Auckland Hospital Board met last evening. Mr. M. J. Coyle was actingchairman, and there were also present: Messrs. G. Baildon, X Chalmers, J. Dempsey, W. K. Howitt, G, Knight, J. McLeod, E. .W. Potter, and J. Rowe.

The Director-General of Hospitals, Sir Donald McGavin, wrote advising that the department had agreed to arrange a hospitals' conference in the first week of October. One of the principal objects of the conference was to form a main hospitals' association.

It was decided to hold a special meeting of the board to discuss the matter and frame remits for the conference.

Several members expressed regret at the decision of the Government against the establishment of a dental chair at the Auckland University College.

The Minister, for Education, the Hon. C. J. Parr, wrote explaining that the recent inquiry was held by a departmental committee, and not by a Royal Commission. While it was true the majority of the committee had recommended in favour of a dental school for Auckland, the Government had decided, as a matter of policy, against duplication. After brief discussion, the matter was deferred for consideration at a. special meeting, when Mr. Wallace would doubtless be able to give the "board detailed information as to the position. The Finance Committee reported that a deputation from the Northcoto Borough Council had asked that the Northcote Reserve be reroaded and cut up into smaller sections. It had been agreed that the council should submit a scheme in writing to the board. The report was adopted. Departmental reports showed that the attendance at the Dental Hospital last month averaged 24 a day, giving a total of 547, children numbering , 459, and adults 88. The admissions to the general hospital for June totalled 507, while the number discharged was 465, leaving 461 patients at the end of the month. There were 405 operations performed. Five cases of scarlet fever were treated, and 33 cases of diphtheria. The Relief Committee reported that 38 new cases for relief were dealt with last month, compared with 36 in May, and 41 in April, and that 99 cases were, revised. Unemployment was the cause of 17 applications, desertion 19, sickness 56, old age 21, widowhood 14, imprisonment 4, and insufficient means 6. The expenditure on all forms of relief amounted to £1745, as against £1719 in May.