NORTH OTAGO NEWS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24944, 17 June 1942, Page 7

NORTH OTAGO NEWS

LOCAL TRADING BOARD'S DECISION REVERSED HOSPITAL SUPPLIES BY TENDER In accordance with notice of motion, Mr A. Mclnnes moved at the monthly meeting of the Waitaki Hospital Board yesterday that the words " everything that can be bought in the town at a competitive price " be rescinded from a resolution carried by the board at its last meeting. The general effect of this resolution was that all equipment and supplies, where obtainable, should be purchased in Oamai-u. If the board agreed to the deletion of these words, Mr Mclnnes saia, he would then move that the board purchase its supplies at the cheapest price consistent with quality—After a discussion, both motions were carried. Department's Recommendation

The Director-general of Health, Dr M. H. Watt, wrote that attention had been drawn to a press report on the matter. He stated that in the department's opinion there was no justification for the board's incurring the additional expenditure which would be involved in restricting the purchase of certain lines in this way.. He recommended That the board should reconsider the matter and decide that it would, after affording full opportunity for tendering according to the nature of supplies required, make its purchases to the best advantage. A letter was received from Mr R. Finch protesting against the board's resolution, and the Oamaru Chamber of Commerce wrote expressing appreciation of the board's action, bv which Oamaru business people would in future be given an opportunity to quote on a competitive basis for any of the board's requirements which could be supplied locally. There was some discussion whether the last two letters should be read to the meeting. Mr Jeffery submitting that to do so would establish a precedent. If 200 people wrote, he said, it would take all day to read their, letters. Mr Rodman: We would have a field day. Mr Jeffery: It all depends whether it suits or not. Take no notice of them. We had a letter from an ex-patient in connection with the heating of the hospital once, and that was only received. Mr Simpson said the reading of the letters would not affect the decision of the board. Finally the letters were read to the meeting. A Surprise Sprung Mr Mclnnes said that Mr Familton had sprung a surprise at the last meeting. He should have given notice. Mr Mclnnes's motion was seconded by Mr Simpson. Mrs Munro said that in view of the letter from the department they wguld have to rescind the resolution. Mr Familton strongly criticised the department's letter, and urged that all possible supplies should be purchased in Oamaru. Mrs Munro and Mr Mclnnes said that the bulk of the supplies were purchased in Oamaru. Mr Simpson said that Mr Familton had overlooked the fact that the Government paid a 50 per cent, subsidy on expenditure, and it was entitled to a say on behalf of the taxpayers. Mr Rodman submitted that local tradespeople were given " the benefit of the doubt" whenever possible. The supplies were bought in open competition. On being put to the meeting, the motion was carried by four votes to two, Messrs Familton and Jeffery dissenting. Mr Mclnnes then moved 'the second motion, which was seconded by Mr Simpson. This was carried, with Mr Jeffery dissenting. ITEMS OF INTEREST IN AND ABOUT TOWN Tides.—High tides at the port of Oamaru to-day will be at 5.32 a.m. and 5.54 p.m. Post and Telegraph.—An enjoyable social was held by the Oamaru Post and Telegraph Women's League on Saturday night. Mrs J. B. Purcell (president) extended a welcome to all present. The following programme was contributed:—Tap duos, Marie Buzan and Shirley McNeill; son, Marie Strang; violin duet, May Dodds and John Griffin. Dance music was provided by Mrs Dodds and Miss Dalgleish.

GRADING OF TEAMS RUGBY UNION DISCUSSION COMPETITION DIFFICULTIES One of the difficulties facing the North Otago Rugby Union through the shortage of players this season is the grading of teams to provide good competitions and for the elimination of byes. The subject was discussed by the Management Committee on Monday night There were present: Messrs M. F. Woodward (president),' A. R. Low, G. Knowles, B. B. Blackmore, J. Ross. A. Marshall, F. Grant, R. H. Watson, J". Macmillan, L. Canning, and Bro. Owen. Mr Low introduced the subject by congratulating the Excelsior Fourth Grade team on its showing in the Third Grade. The boys, who had played a drawn match against the School team, had adopted a sporting attitude. Mr Ross reported that the Athletic Club wanted to have its team returned to the Fourth Grade, and also to re-enter its Fifth Grade team. Finality Required Mr Macmillan stated that finality was required, otherwise they would not be able to obtain competition results. If Athletic was withdrawn from the Third Grade, there would be no competition in this grade as there would be .only two teams. Quoting the result of the Excelsior and Athletic Fourth Grade game as 18—16, Mr Ross submitted that the teams were even. If one team was placed in the Third .Grade, he said, the other should also play in that competition. Mr Blackmore said that if the Athletic team played in the Fourth Grade there would be one outstanding team, and therefore no competition. It would not be right to play heavy boys against smaller boys. Mr Macmillan commented that, if Athletic was " waiting to see where they would get the best show," it would be rather a suspicious attitude. Mr Woodward said it would be better to draw the Athletic team in the Fourth Grade, and for the Grading Committee to be present and give a definite ruling on the team and the individual players. They were dependent on the schoolbovs for Rugby this season, and they could not allow a position to arise where heavy boys would be knocking the schoolboys about. Mr Blackmore quoted the case of a small boy tackling a much heavier player, with the result that he was now in hospital with a broken collarbone and wrist. Mr Low said the Athletic Club was doing Its utmost to get teams, and they must encourage it. Mr Woodward said they had to protect the smaller boys, but they wanted to be fair to all the teams. The committee agreed to have the Athletic team in the Fourth Grade, and to accept that club's re-entry of 3 Fifth Grade team, the Grading Committee to give a definite ruling at the next meeting. ' It was pointed out that players could be used as substitutes to make up teams in a higher grade, but a player was not permitted to play in a grade lower than his grading, even as a 'substitute. General It was reported that the Show Grounds were being left open at week-ends and it was agreed to request the co-opera-tion of the Home Guard in having the gate locked. It was also pointed out that there was a complete turning rjoint for transport at the Show Grounds, and it was not therefore necessary to enter the grounds for the purpose of turning. It was further pointed out that a by-law prohibited the parking of motor vehicles in Ettrick street while Rugby was being played on the Show Grounds. The New Zealand Union advised that up to £750 had been set aside for school football purposes.—The secretary was instructed to make an application for a grant of £3O for school footballs. The treasurer reported that the gate takings on Saturday amounted to £1 2s 9d. Draw for Saturday The draw for Saturday is as follows: Juniors.—St. Kevin's v. Town Combined, Oval, 2.45 p.m.; Waitaki, a bye. Third Grade.—Excelsior v. Waitaki, Oval, 1.15 p.m. Fourth Grade.—St. Kevin's v. Waitaki A, No. 3. 1.15 p.m.; Athletic v. Waitaki B, No. 2. 2.45 p.m. Fifth Grade St. Kevin's v. Waitaki C. No. 3, 2.45 p.m.; Waitaki A v. Athletic, No. 2, 1.15 p.m.; Waitaki B, a bye Sixth Grade.—Waitaki C v. St. Kevin's, No. 4, 1.15 p.m.; Waitaki A v. Waitaki B, at School. Seventh Grade.—Waitaki C v. St. Kevin's. No. 4, 2.45 p.m.; Waitaki A v. Waitaki B, at School.

UMBRAGE TAKEN DEPARTMENT CRITICISED "DICTATION, NOT DEMOCRACY" Mr L. J. K. Familton, speaking at the meeting of the Waitaki Hospital Board yesterday, said he took exception to the letter from the Department of Health with reference to the board's resolution on local trading, wherein the department suggested to the board that it should act in accordance With the dictation of the department, in Wellington. " We have been elected by the people to transact the business of the board." Mr Familton said. " and if we in our wisdom decide that a certain thing is for the good of the people, then we should not be influenced by the department. In an age of democracy this is wrong, and it is not in the interests of the people to be dictated to by Wellington." Mr Familton criticised the previous action of the board in purchasing supplies from Dunedin and Christchurch firms and Auckland printers. How manv blood donors did they get outside the town, he asked? In the interests of the ratepayers he was not going to stand for it. In his opinion everything could be bought in Oamaru at competitive prices. If departments in Wellington wrote to the county or borough councils, or harbour board, telling them what thev had to do, they would not stand for it. He would ask the Minister of Health if he approved of such a letter. In effect the letter said that the Hospital Board did not know what it was talking about, and did not know its own business. It said: "Do as I tell you." It was not fair, and was not British,' and he took umbrage at the department telling them that they did not know their own business. Mr Rodman said the Government subsidised hospital expenditure by 50 per cent,., and it naturally followed that, the Government expected its decisions to be observed. Whether they liked it or not, they would have to accept the department's ruling, and if they tried to do anything else the subsidies would be reduced. They had to realise that. AIR RAID PRECAUTIONS CONDITIONS OF SUBSIDY MEETING OF HOSPITAL BOARD At the monthly meeting of the Waitaki Hospital Board yesterday, advice was received from the Department of Health that as long as the board had the approval of the public works engineer for the carrying out of air-raid precautions work in hospitals, the department agreed, and had no reason to believe that the usual subsidy would not be payable in those circumstances. —Received. The department recommended that owing to the difficulty experienced in obtaining materials, in future all uniforms at, all hospitals should be confined to a minimum of different materials and colours.—Received. There were present at the meeting Mr •Tames Rodman (chairman). Mrs T. A. Munro, Messrs L. J. K. Familton. H. C. Jeffery. A. Mclnnes. G. O. Pringle and W. Simpson. A letter from the Department of Health emphasised the necessity for the exercise of the strictest economy in the use of hospital supplies by the hospital staff.— The medical superintendent, Dr Bevan Brown, reported that this matter was receiving the closest attention. The Public Works Department advised that approval had been obtained from the Director of National Service for a 50 per cent, subsidy in connection with the ventilation required in the operating theatre, anaesthetic and sterilising rooms, and confirmed the acceptances of the tender of Mr W. R. Williams for. £344. Received. Accounts and salaries for June, amounting to £4594 19s lid, .were passed for payment. The medical superintendent of the Oamaru Public Hospital reported as follows: Eighty-one patients in hospital at the beginning of the month, 119 were admitted, 119 discharged, 7 died, leaving 74 remaining on May 31; number of operations 56, out-patients' visits 373, and daily average in-patients 79.9. Gifts were acknowledged from Mrs K. Thomson (Hampden), Mr N. Gilchrist, Toe H. Mr J. Walker. Mrs J. Robertson ("Baemoor"), and Mrs C. H. Andrew (Conway street). The matron of the Kurow Maternity Hospital reported there were 4 patients at the beginning of May, 4 were admitted, 5 discharged, leaving remaining at the end of the month. . The matron of Victoria Home reported that there were 22 Inmates at the beginning of the month, but none was admitted or discharged. Gifts were acknowledged from Mrs Orr, Toe H, Mrs Nimmo, the Chinese community, Mrs Stewart, and Mrs Richardson. BELOVTSTANDARD HOSPITAL X-RAY PLANT The Waitaki Hospital Board at it's meeting yesterday received advice from the Department of Health that the present X-ray plant at the hospital was considerably below the standard of that, found in 'the majority of hospitals of the size of the Oamaru institution, and would eventually have to be replaced. The department gave its opinion with regard to the purchase of a new plant. Dr Sevan Brown (medical superintendent) stated that under present conditions he did not recommend the replacement of the plant just now. but it was a position that would have to be faced later on. AMUSEMENTS Majestic Theatre. Metro-Goldwyn's " Boom Town" will continue its season to-night with Clark Gable, Spencer Tracy, Claudette Colbert, Frank Morgan and Hedy Lamarr in the main roles. Opera House.-" Lambeth Walk," from "Me and My Girl." with Lupino.Lane, Sally Gray, and Seymour Hicks in the cast, will be shown to-night.