OTAGO HOSPITAL BOARD

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18540, 28 April 1922, Page 2

OTAGO HOSPITAL BOARD

The regular meeting of the Otago Hospita l Board was held last evening, and was attended by Mr W. E. S. Knight (chairman), Mesdames Jackson, Macfie, Macdonald, Messrs Quelch, Larnach, Dove, Talboys, and Dr Newlands. The Chairman moved—“ That the einccrest sympathy of the Otago Hospital Board be conveyed to Mrs Stevenson (wife) and Mr Isaac Stevenson (father) upon the severe loss they had sustained by the death of their husband and son—the late Mr John MacDonald Stevenson, Mayor of Port Chalmers.” The late Mr Stevenson had been a member and chairman of the Port Chalmers Cottage Hospital Committee for some considerable time, and hie services thereon had been much appreciated. It waa worthy of note that almost his last act on the committee had been presiding at the official opening of the now women’s ward. The board deplored the loss of so promising a citizen, of Port Chalmers, whore his services had been of so much benefit.—The motion was carried in the usual way. The Director-General of Health wrote intimating that the Minister had approved of the appointment of Dr Marion A. Taylor as house surgeon.—Received. , Dr Newlands was granted leave of absence as a member of the board until the end of January. He waa also granted leave of absence from Hospital duties funtil February 1 next year; Dr Jenkins 'being appointed acting-assistant surgeon during his absence. —Mr Talboys’ and the Chairman spoke very warmly of the valuable services Dr Newlands had rendered, • the remarks . being acknowledged by Dr Newlands. Leave of absence was also granted Dr O’Neill for six months, Dr Batchelor for four months. Both these gentlemen ere going to America. The " Children’s Hospitals and Playfields” forwarded a donation of £3o. —Received with thanks. The Hon. Medical Staff forwarded a donation of £4so.—Received with thanks. The North Canterbury Board wrote as to the appointment of a commissioner to inquire into the prevalence of venereal disease in New Zealand.—Hon. Staff to report to the Hospital Committee. The North Canterbury Board, writing as to the housing of cases of senile dementia, expressed the opinion that mental hospitals were hardly suitable places for such cases.— Medical Superintendent to report to the Hospital Committee. Tho Tuapeka County Council wrote objecting to the proposed hospital levy, and requested to be supplied with a detailed account of receipts and expenditure. A drastic curtailment in expenditure was required.— The Secretary stated that details would 1 be supplied after the board had approved of the estimates.—Mr Quelch, in the course of a few remarks, questioned how they oould reduce expenses, if they were not kept down in these particular districts.—The communication was received. Mrs Macdonald moved—“ That a committee of the whole board be set up for the purpose of inquiring into the management of all departments and institutions under the control of the board. That a permanent l House Committee be appointed to pay regular visits to all the, institutions;” In speaking to the motion, Mrs Macdonald said she moved it because she 1 was actuated by a desire to assist the) board. During her visits to the Hospital . she had been struck by the absence, of labour-saving contrivances, and with these there would be a correspondingly better treatment of the- patients. The methods of feeding the patients wore unscientific and extravagant. At her request the latter portion of the motion as to the appointment of a permanent l House Committee to pay regular visit® to all the institutions was deleted. Mr Quelch seconded the motion, and in doing so said that there were a great number of matters that might be inquired into. The departments were costing the board a great deal more than formerly, and there were less patients in the Hospital than » few years ago. The Chairman drew attention to the fact that there was a number of committees of the board already set up* and to appoint a committee of the whole board would only mean duplication. The Hospital Committee was quite sufficient to deal with the matter. The motion was carried without dissent. Miss M. L. was appointed second instructor in massage, etc., at a salary of £3OO per annum.—Some discussion took place as to holidays, the necessity for there being a masseuse in attendance being emphasised. It was decided that the appointment be mode sulbject to certain reservations as to holidays. •In connection with the adoption of tho Benevolent Committee’s report, it was resolved that the board express its appreciation of the work done by ’Mr and Mrs Porteou's at the institution. The other reports were adopted. On a ballot being taken, Mr H. Efcoles was appointed bookkeeper for the stores department, and to assist with general accounts, at a salary of £206 per annum. There were 60 applications in all.