HOSPITAL AND CHARITABLE AID BOARD.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 15706, 7 March 1913, Page 7

HOSPITAL AND CHARITABLE AID BOARD.

Tho fortnightly mooting of tho Otago Hospital and Charitable Aid Board was held last night; present—Messrs J. H. Walker (chairman). W. Wilkinson, D. Larnach, S. S. Myers, W. Blackie, J. J. Clark, W. T. Talboys, E._ A. Tapper, R. Templeton, and H M. Ewing. Tho Secretary of tho Nelson Hospital and Charitablo Aid Board forwarded a copy of a motion passed by it calling the atten : tion of tho Government to tho resolution passed at a confercnoo of Hospital and Charitable Aid Boards in 1911 requesting th© Government to found a farm where wastrels; oonfirmed drunkards, and other work-shy individuals could bo sent. Tho board alioisent a copy of a report received by Mrs Fell (a member of the board) dealing with the forced labour oolony at Witzwill, Switzerland.—lt was resolved to concur in the motion.

. The Inspector-general wrote advising tho apportionment of representation on tho board as follows:—Wailiemo county, Waikouaiti county, Palmerston' Borough, Pont Chalmers Borough, and Waikouaiti Borough, one member; road districts in Peninsula county, Bay Town district, St. Kilda Borough, and Green Island Borough, one mc-mber; Mornington Borough, Maori Hill Borough, and West Harbour Borough, one member; Dunedin city, six members: Taiori • county and Mosgiel Borough, one member; Bruce county, Milton Borough, and Kaitangata Borough, one member; Tuapeka county, Lawrence Borough, Roxburgh Borough, and Tapanui Borough, one member ; Clotha County and Balclutna one member.—Received.

Leave of absence was granted to Dr Williams from March 4 to 29, and to Dr O'Neill until March 17.

The statistics for tho Hospital for February were reported as underOutpatients—Surgical, 299; medical, 182; gynaecological, 7; tubercular, 41; opthaiknic, 103. In-pat/ent&-:Remaining from previous month, 168; admitted during month, 175; discharged during month, 168; died during month, 15; remaining in at end of February, 160. The Medical Superintendent wrote Btating that, he had discussed with Miss Myies the question oi the nursing establishment for the Dunedin Hospital. Miss Myles requested that tlio fou* larger wards should have an extra night nurse each instead of an extra night nurse doing duty, between two wards as at present. This would increase the staff by two nurses and also two asters, and 14 nurses would then be required in 1914 for tho King Edward YII Pavilion instead of 12 as formerly, but the three nurses for the consumptive shelters would be subtracted.—Referred to tho Hospital Committee to report. In moving the adoption of the Sanatorium Committee's report, Mr Myers said he wished to refer to one matter. It was admitted on all hands that the board did a large amount of exoelient work in regard to consumption, and, that being so, it was not fair that tho board should bo treated as it was by Government officials. It had been repeatedly pointed out that the Sanatorium was.congested, and in order to relieve the position it was decided to recommend that a doctor's residence be erected. Plans of a residence wero accordingly prepared, and thc.v had been approved and sent on to Wellington for Dr Valintine's approval, the amount being over £250. It was now ft month ago, since the plane wero forwarded to Wellington, but so far no reply had been received. It was, of course, the Minister who was regarded as responsible if no •action was taken in a matter of this sort, and yet, as they all knew, the Minister took a deep interest in tho question of consumption and in the work of the Otago Board. He merely wished to direct the attention of members to the position.—Tho report was adopted. The reports of tho Benevolent, Finance, and Hospital Committees were adopted. It was decided to hold the next meeting of tho board on Wednesday, 19th, at 4 p.m.