WAKATIP HOSPITAL.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 835, 25 August 1864, Page 5

WAKATIP HOSPITAL.

The Board of Management met on the 13th instant. Present—W. G. Rees; Esq., President ; Messrs G. Clements, Bracken, Worthington, M'lndoe, Angus, Broad, Haughton, Brown (hon. treasurer), Gordon (hon secretary). The minutes of the last meeting were read and con*u-mecl. The Hon. Secretary submitted the draft of a letter to Mr Fian, the late collector, informing him, in accordance with the resolution of the last meeting, that his demand for salary, &c, could not be entertained. A letter was read from the Eesident Surgeon, stating that he had been obliged to suspend Louis Holmes, the night war'sman, for getting drunk acd biting the house steward. Holmes had since left, and he recommended that his place be not filled up, but the assistant warier and cook be paid a trifla extra each, to undertake the nightwork between them. Proposed by Mr Brown, and seconded by Mr Harris—''That the alteration recommended in the Doctor's letter be carried out, and that 10s a we ;k extra be paid to the cook and assistant wardsman, in consideration of their properly performing the duty of nighi v/ardsman, so long as they properly attend, to the work required " Car- ! riesl. A discussion took place as to the next paragraph of the Surgeon's letter, viz., the disposal of the property of Henry Nason, who died in the Institution. Dr Douglas, on being called into the Board Room, stated that the sum of LlO Us and some papers had been taken from the body, of deceased, and he begged to hand the same to the Committee. Moved by Mr Harris and seconded by Mr Bracken—2. " That the property^of the deceased, Henry Nason, be handed over to the representative in Queenstown of the official administrator ef intestate estates." Carried. Instructions were given to the hon. secretary to write to'-the Curator of Intestate Estates in town, requesting a speedy settlement of the estate, as a considerable sum was owing out of it to the Hospital. The next subject, of consideration was the 'Resident Surgeon's application, of an immediate supply of amputation and post mortem, instruments, as also for an enema and stomach pump. The hon. Treasurer thought it better to defer spending any money at present, and to wait at all events until the subscriptions began to come in. . -'.''■ Mr Wbrthineton considered amputation instruments were certainly urgently required, but that the post mortem, &c, could be dispensed with for a-time. Dr Douglas having been summoned, stated that amputating instruments were absolutely necessary at once. Prosser, at Queenstown, had a set, but they were not complete. They might be obtained in DuneHin. Proposed by Mr Harris, and seconded by Mr Bracken —''That the subject of the purchase of instruments be referred to the Committee of Supply." Carried. A letter was read from Dr Douglas, mentioning his appointment as Coroner for the Arrow District. .It-wan ordered to be acknowledged, with the congratulations of the Committee. A letter was read from viv Pinnis again urging his claims for salary, stating that lie had been promised the same by the hon. Treasurer, Mr Brown. Mr Brown explained that-he. on Mr Finnis coming to him and stating he could not g'fc along with-the mere per centage, he had certainly told him that he would support in Committee, any resolution in favor of a salary ; but he had never promised, nor was he in a position to do so, i hat such salary should be granted. Proposed by Mr G. Broad, aud seconded by Mr Gordon ■-" That the Secretary write to Mr Finnis, stating tbat the Committee see no reason to alter their previous decision." Carried. The import of the Finance Committee was sub*, mitted to the Board :— "Wakatip District Hosoital, " sth August, 1854. " Your Finance Cotnniittes have to call the attention ef the General Committee to the state of the iunds, which are entirely exhausted after the payment of the July accounts. A sum amounting to L 669 8s Bd, is due to this institution by the Government; and application has been repeatedly made for the same both through Mr Warden Beetham and by the hon. Treasurer, The Finance Committee, however, feel great satisfaction in reporting that, had this sum been paid, a balance at the close of this year's proceedings would have existed. ''The annual subscriptions became due on the 4th August last, upon which date, in 1863, the Hospital was opened for the first reception of patients. The Committee recommend an application for a temporary overdraft of LSOO to the Bank of New Zealand, and that the same be repaid from the moneys either received from the Government, or from collections from the public, the first opportunity. " H. W.,Bbacken, Chairman. 5'