SOUTH OTAGO HOSPITAL BOARD.

Otago Witness, Issue 3714, 19 May 1925, Page 32

SOUTH OTAGO HOSPITAL BOARD.

The following appeared in our Second Edition last week:—

The usual monthly meeting of the South Otago Hi6pitai Board, held at Balclutha on Tueedav, was attended by the Hon. A. S. Maloolm, M.L.C Ichairman). the Bev. Canon C. J. Small, Messrs J. Cumming, H. A. Brough, H. M. Driver, Adam King, A. T. Harris, Jasper Clark, T. D. Pearson, J. W. Fenton. The Chairman briefly welcomed Canon Small and Mr Pearson, who took their seats for the first time FINANCE. The financial report showed that the receipts for the month amounted to £757 7s 9d, ana the expenditure (with debit balance carried forward) to £3,914 12s lid, leaving a total debit balance of £3157 5s 2d. The report was adopted. HOSPITAL REPORTS. Th© Matron, Milton Public Hospital, wroto advising that the water supply had not been working very satisfactory at times owing to a lack of pressure, hut since the matter had been attended to there had been •ufflcient water for use. Dr Reid reported that throe males and one female had bee.i admitted during the mouth, and four males and four females had been discharged. Three males and one female remained under treatment at the end of April. The collapse of the Wator Tower at Milton early in the month inconvenienced the staff for a time, but the temporary pumping grrangemems had redu-.ed the difficulty considerably. The Matron of tha Owaka Hoepital reported that on April 1 there were four patients (two males and two females) in the institution, and five males and two females had been admitted during that month. Five males and one female were discharged dicing th© month, and at May 1 two males and three females remained in the hospital. Th© Matron of the Kaitangata Hospital reported that four caaes had been admitted, three cases remained, and two cases had been discharged. Six out-patients had also been treated during the month. Th© reports were adopted. THE BALCLUTHA HOSPITAL. Messrs Mason and Wales, architects, wrote stating that, in connection with the Bal clutha Hoepital, the progress of the work during the month had been satisfactory. The whole of the brickwork was now practically completed with the exception of building in the boilers and a few minor portions, fuch as filling up ** putlog" holes and pointing up joists. The plasterers had proceeded with their work very catisfactorilv, and one ward had received the first coat, as also had the greater portions of the walls in the other buildings, but. unfortunately, five of the men left the work laet week and had not returned. The slating of the roof was being proceedul with, and a little more than kiO of the roofs had been covered. The drainage Wae now completed with the exoeption of Jedding the agricultural pipes in gravel. The plumbing work was well advanced, and the plumbers were now preparing to lay the steam supply to the several fittings. The electricians were proceeding with the wiring of the administration block, and wiring for the wards being now complete. The sun ‘sooms to the two wards were in position, and the woodwork of the verandah to the nurses’ home was in place. It would, be necessary to extend the wider service from the board's storage supply as it was specified that th© service would be brought within 10ft of the administration building, and they found the distance was 81ft. The writers enclosed a certificate showing that £2349 88 was row due to the contractor.— The letter was received. Messrs Mason and Wales also wrote stating that they had interviewed the engineer of the Otago Power Board, who informed them that he would b© in Balclutha this week, and that the power question for the Hospital Board would then be gone into The Power Board carried in the current to the building, and the charge depended on the amount used. The writers also informed the engineer that the Hospital Board would probably require the road to the building lo be lighted at least three points.—The matter was referred to a committee, to report at the next meeting. During the luncheon adjournment the members of the board inspected the building, and exr ressed gratification at the satisfactory progress being made. CO RR ESPON DEN CE. The Town Clerk Kaitangata. wrote forwarding a copy of a resolution carried by his council granting the board permission to lay a pipe sewage drain from the Kaitangata Hospital to the Clutha River, the site of the drain to be along the streets of the borough.—Received. In connection with the 6ame matter, the manager of the New Zealand Coal and Oil Company wrote stating that his company was willing to consent to this drain passing under the railway line, provided the work was carried out to the satisfaction of the mine manager, and provided etepa were taken to prevent the work interfering in any way with the running of trains.—Received. The Town Clerk, Milton, wrote stating that in connection with the matter of imSoving the footpath in Spencer street leadg to the public hospital, his council had referred the matter to its Works Committee, with power to act.—Received.