OPOTIKI HOSPITAL BOARD

Opotiki News, Volume VI, Issue 426, 21 December 1943, Page 2

OPOTIKI HOSPITAL BOARD

FINAL MEETING OF YEAR The final meeting of the Opotiki Hospital Board this year was held in the R.S.A. room yesterday afternoon. Present: Mr. S. Maxwell (chairman), Messrs. G. S. Moody, T. G. Johnson, S. M. Jephson, J. D. Clark, F. B. Starky, E. J. Baigent and Mr. E. C. East (secretary). Outward correspondence was read and approved. A lengthy discussion took place concerning the proposed new general hospital for Opojtiki. Messrs. Baigent and Starky considered that the plans provided a hospital that might be too much of a financial burden for the ratepayers. Mr. Johnson said if it were a question of rates and the people’s health —health came first Remodelling the hospital from time to time would be too expensive,

It was finally decided to hold a special meeting in January to consider the plans for the new hospital, the meeting to be confined wholly to the propased hospital and relevant matters.

An unsigned letter asking for the council’s support in connection with a suggested enquiry into the legalisation of certain treatments for disease including chiropractic, under the Social Security scheme was “received”.

The minutes of the recent T.B. Conference in Auckland -were avail- - able to members for perusal. The secretary read a. letter received by tile chairman from the superintendent of tho Hokianga Hospital (Dr. S. M. Smith) re the .recent T'.B. Conference. Dr. Smith stated that he had met the Natives on his return and they had agreed to pay portion of their Social Security money for meals to the school-child-ren. The Maoris had also offered to cultivate free of cost laud for the growing of vegetables.

Mr. Maxwell said' he wished the board to know what other boards' were trying to do. He considered there should be a full Departmental enquiry as to the spending of Social Security money. He was not up against the Maoris. His remarks also applied to some pakehas. The families should geti fed and the money not spent on drink, gambling and taxi fares.

The Health Department notified the board that the tender system for building was now allowable. Miss E. M. Gillespie, hospital matron, extended seasonal greetings on behalf of the hospital staff and issued a special invitation to members and their wives and families to the Christmas tree function on Christmas Day evening.

The chairman drew attention to the dangerous state of the verandah at the property of the Board and Blind Institute in Church Street, occupied by the Opotiki County Council. He considered the verandah a. menace to the public and a disgrace to. the board. It was pointed out the board would have to secure the consent of the Blind Institute.—Agreed to make the necessary repairs.

Mr. Johnson was authorised to have the hedge removed from in front of the hospital. It was stated that the new variety of hedge to bo planted later on would be planted right round the old and new hospital frontage. In extending seasonal greetings to' the board members and .officers, the chairman expressed the hope that by next year the nations would be at peace and ' the “beys” all back home.