WAIPIATA SANATORIUM.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20964, 1 March 1930, Page 10

WAIPIATA SANATORIUM.

MEETING OF COMMITTEE. The Waipiata Sanatorium Committee met in Dunedin on Tuesday, there being present Messrs J. Matheson (chairman), Bryant, B. R. Macdonald, H. Grenfell, J. Clark, J. G. Johnston, J. Ritchie, P. Aitken, and Dr F. S. Maclean. Leave of absence was granted, to Mr W. Macdonald (Fairlie), representative of the South Canterbury Hospital Board, Mr B. E. Macdonald (of Geraldine) being present in his place. The Westport Coal Company (Dunedin) wrote regarding railage on coal. — Received. In view of the amount of coal used by the institution, the secretary was directed again to invite tenders for the supply of coal to the institution as from April 1. The Otago Hospital Board wrote retarding a conference with members of the committee in connection with the proposed group control of consumptive sanatoria.^ —It was decided to meet the Otago Hospital Board representatives at the March meeting of the committee in Dunedin.

Several letters were received from associated boards regarding the admission and discharge of patients, and these were noted and left in the hands of the secretary for attention.

The medical superintendent (Dr Kidd), reported that during January 11 patients had been admitted and eight discharged, and 116 remained on February 1. He also reported that with the exception of 18, whose condition was stationary, all were doing well and improving. He reported on the result of his visits and his examination of patients in the different centres, a number of these having already made application, through their respective boards, for admission to the institutiop. The report was adopted, and requisitions for sundry requirements were granted.

Owing to the fact that work on the cottage of tlio assistant medical superintendent was nearing completion, it was decided, on the recommendation of Dr Kidd, to make an alteration in the remuneration to be paid to Dr P. E Starr n At J^f 1 reque9t of the Pensions -Ur Kidd was granted permission to examine T.B. soldier patients on behalf of that board

The secretary reported that on February 21 the following boards had patients J? “f. nwtitutwn:— South Canterbury 33, Southland 34, Ashburton 12, Waitaki 13, South Otago 12, Wallace 7, Maniototo 2, incent 1, Waipiata Sanatorium Commitee 1; total 115. Of this number nine had been receiving treatment in the institution for more than 18 months, 14 for more than 12 months, and 92 had been Patients for less than 12 months. Since r '; Cet i ng five Patients had been discharged, three with the disease arrested and two with the disease q«icg- * , ° su ° mi tted p waiting list of patients, who had been examined by the “S^ p f er,n + ten f and recommended as smtable for treatment, from the followmg districts:— South Canterbury 17 Wallac^d 11 > Waitaki 8. South Otago S, 43 - TI >» ™ Mr B. Ritchie, farm manager, reported that he was milking 29 cows in jSJ and gave a detailed statement of the quantity of milk, cream, etc., supplied to the sanatorium. He also reported bavins supplied 27201 b of mutton to the histitu- '° p n /'" rin ? tho month, and aE present had the following stock on the place:-Sixtv-four head of cattle (including milking cows), 809 sheep, and 35 pigs—The report was adopted. f e ' Mr P Aitken, on behalf of the Farm e P ,o l ;tCd 0n various matters that had been left in the Farm Commitaat meetin S. and recomi^r,. 8 tlle P' lr chase of a second-hand chaff-cutter and bagger for the use of the tarm.—The report was adopted, members to make inquiries regarding the chaffcutter as suggested, and report to the committee.

The treasurer (Mr T. Pryde) submitted a report on the state of the committee s finances as at the date of the meeting. and pointed out that for the 11 months of the year that had gone the committees receipts showed an increase of over £3oo—on the amount estimated for the period, while the maintenance expenditure was £1677 less than what was estimated, which indicated that the committee s action in reducing its maintenance charge this year to 7s 6d per day per patient, was justified. He also gave an indication as to the committee’s commitments for capital purposes for the balance of this financial year.—The re? port was adopted.

At the request of the committee the architect (Mr E. R. Wilson), after consulting the medical superintendent and secretary, submitted a sketch plan of the proposed administrative buildings, which were provided for in last year’s estimates, but which had not been started. With some minor alterations, the proposed plan was approved, and the architect instructed to prepare a more detailed plan and estimate of the cost for submission to the committee at its next meeting, and for the approval of the department. The proposed building would provide for a general institutional office and offices for the medical superintendent and matron, a dispensary, laboratory, patients’ examination and X-ray room, dark room, strong room, etc., all of which were ncessary for the more efficient treatment of the large number of patients now in the institution.

The secretary reported that the tender of Messrs Andcrsons, Ltd., Christchurch, for the supply of a washing machine, hydro extractor, and four-roll steam mangle, for the institution, had been accepted. The arrangements made for the installing of these were approved. Accounts and salaries totalling £ll3O 5-s 7d were examined and passed for payment.

It was decided to hold the next meeting of the committee in Dunedin on Tuesday, March 25,