SOUTH OTAGO HOSPITAL BOARD.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19350, 10 December 1924, Page 2

SOUTH OTAGO HOSPITAL BOARD.

The monthly meeting of the South Otago Hospital Board was held at Balclutha yesterday, and was attended by the chairman (Hon. A. S. Malcolm, M.L.C.), Messrs J. Gumming, H. M. Driver, Adam King, Jasper Clark, J. W. Fenton, and Bennie. HOSPITAL REPORTS. Dr Edgar, superintendent of Milton Hospital, reported that during the month of November 12 patients had been admitted, 22 had been under treatment, 15 had been discharged, one had died, and seven remained on December 1. The Matron of the Owaka Hospital reported that five patients had been admitted during the past month, nine had been under treatment, three had been discharged, one hail died, and on December 1 there were five remaining. The Matron of the Kaitangata Cottage Hospital reported that during the month two patients had been admitted, nine had been discharged, and there were two remaining. It was decided to make no changes in the staffs at Milton and Owaka at present.

Authority was given for the erection of fowl runs at these two hospitals. Messrs Mason and Wales (architects) reported that the work of erecting the hospital at Balclutha was now in full swing. The whole of the foundations were now ;n place, with the exception of the Nurses’ Home, and this would probably be completed before the end of the week. A start had been made with the brickworks, and there were approximately 30,000 bricks and 12,000 ft of timber on the site. The writers enclosed a certificate amounting to £3OOO 10s, which was due to the contractors.—The report was received.

It was agreed not to hold any ceremony in connection with the laying of the foundation stone of the Balclutha Hospital, and indeed the warmest supporter of the suggestion (Mr Clark) did not go further than to say that he “supposed it would do no harm.”

Dr Crawshaw, Medical Officer of Health, submitted a report on the drainage at Kaitangata Hospital, stating that there were two alternatives which could be considered, one being the installation of septic tanks to deal with the sewage and the overflow to drain into the stratum around, and the other, which he recommended, being a septic lank and the overflow piped down to the road to the river (with, say a 4in pipe), to open into the river near the sluice gates opposite the hotel. If necessary, and the people who lived in the streets wanted it, the houses could be linked with the pipes. Mr Fenton said that the estimated cost of tlie work was .in the vicinity of £3OO, but it would be cheaper in the long run. He would, however, like to see the people of Kaitangata take on a drainage system of their own. It was finally agreed to hold the matter over till the next meeting. RESIGNATIONS. Dr W. B. Reekie forwarded his resignation of the position of honorary medical superintendent of the Kaitangata Hospital. —The resignation was received, and it was left to tha chairman to make a further report. Mr H. Simson wrote resigning his position as a member of the board. The resignation was noted, and the secretary was instructed to rake the necessary steps to have the vacancy filled. The Chairman mentioned that Mr Simson’s services had been very valuable to the board, and perhaps he would consent to re-nomination. FINANCE. The financial statement for the month showed receipts amounting to £535 5s 10(1, and an expenditure of £5240 12s lid. ■> Mr Fenton objected to the payments of £2O 16s Sd to the superintendents of Milton and Owaka Hospitals, and the objection was noted after the report had been adopted. GENERAL.

On the motion of Mr Clark, seconded by Mr King, it was decided that the boarc: should Join the Hospital Boards’ Association. The Chairman pointed out that the subscription wotild be about £ll or £l2 a year.

The Clerk of the Ciutha County Council wrote In reply to the board s letter agreeing to pay £ for £ on £lO6 odd spent by the council in forming and metalling the road to Owaka Hospital provided... the board could' legally do so, stating that consideration of forming and 'metalling the footpath was deferred meantime.—The letter was received. When the correspondence had been dealr with Mr Clark mentioned that It had been p. “nice qpict and >anfttti(}r member observed that it must have been because* Christmas was coming. Mr’Driver; There Is one little matter I’d like to bring up. M.- Clark: Oh, you’re not going to start, surely! Mr Driver: I’ll start on you yet. Mr Driver then gave notice of motion (hat the day of meeting be changed to a Saturday, as under present conditions the meeting coincided with the Milton sale. How did a Saturday suit Mr Clark? Mr Clark: All right. Mr Driver: Very good. I’m glad you agree with mo for once.

One or two members were not disposed to favour the Saturday meeting.