WAIPIATA SANATORIUM.

Otago Witness, Issue 3860, 6 March 1928, Page 18

WAIPIATA SANATORIUM.

The committee of the Waipiata Sanatorium met in Dunedin on Tuesday. There were present—Messrs J. Matheson (chairman), E. Macdonald, A. Fraser, Jasper Clark, E. Morgan, J. Horrell, and Dr Maclean representing the Department of Health. Leave of absence was granted to Messrs J. Ritchie and F. W. Watt.

The Otago and Maniototo Hospital Boards wrote in reply to the committee’s proposals that the period of residence provided in section 92 of the Hospitals Act, 1926, should not apply to patients suffering from pulmonary tuberculosis, and the letters were received. The secretary was directed to inform the Maniototo Board that the decision of the committee at its January meeting declining liability for patients suffering from complaints other than tuberculosis did not apply to sanatorium patients sent to the Naseby Hospital for treatment, the maintenance oi whom would be a liability of the Sanatorium Committee or the hospital board responsible for the patient. In regard to the billiard table for patients, the Chairman reported that there had been a liberal response to the appeal for funds to purchase a billiard table for the use of the patients in the institution from the different hospital districts, and the Director-general of Health had been asked to arrange for subsidy on the amounts collected.—Further action was left in the hands of the chairman and secretary.

The Secretary reported having written to the Director-general of Health for departmental authority to the appointment of an assistant medical officer and the providing in next year’s estimates for the cost of a residence for him, but as no reply had been received from Wellington this matter was held over until next meeting. The Medical Superintendent (Dr Kidd) reported that at January 31 there were patients in the institution, and with the exception of 12, whose condition was unchanged, all were doing well or improving. He submitted the weather report for January, and the result of his visit and examination of patients at Timaru and Ashburton. Dr Valintine. Director-general of health, had visited the institution on February 9 while he (Dr Kidd) was on holiday leave, a.nd intended paying another visit in March. Dr Kidd also reported that . there was now sufficient staff accommodation to enable 50 more patients to be treated in the institution. He also reported as to what staff would be required to run the laundry when the plant was installed.—The report was adopted. Matron Wilson submitted a list of furnishings and equipment required for the female shelters now in course of erection, and the procuring of these was left in the hands of the chairman, secretary, and matron, with power to act. The Secretary reported that the associated boards had patients in the institution at the date of meeting, as follows:— South Canterbury 23, Southland 22, Ashburton 14,' Waitaki 8, South Otago 0, Wallace 3, Vincent 2, Maniototo 2, and two private patients. Of this number five had been in the sanatorium for more than 18 months, six over 12 months, and 71 for less than 12 months. Since last committee meeting four patients bad been discharged, three with the disease arrested and tne other tiansferred to hospital for treatment. He also submitted a waiting list of 73 patients who had been examined by Dr Kidd, 29 of whom belonged to Southland and 27 to the South Canterbury district. The Farm Manager reported on the sales and purchases during the month and the quantity of milk and mutton supplied to the sanatorium for the same period.—he-

ceivea. The Secretary reported that- over £460 had been received for wool this season.— Noted.

Mr Morgan on behalf of the Farm Committee, reported regarding the cooling of milk and the necessity of procuring a hot water boiler for the milk room, and th s matter was left in the hands of the secretary with power to act. Mr Morgan was authorised to purchase 100 ft of Ijin and lin piping to connect tne gardener’s house with the sanatorium water supply.

Mr Morgan reported that Mr Tannock, superintendent of reserves, Dunedin, had visited the institution and recommended the planting of a large number of silver birch, rowan and pinus insignia trees as part of the committcee’s scheme for beautifying the grounds, and Mr Morgan was authorised to purchase trees.

The Farm Committee was also authorised to purchase a suitable one-man scoop for levelling the grounds, and to carry out certain repairs tc the boundary fences of tne farm.

In connection with the hydro-electric scheme, the Chairman and Secretary reported having interviewed the Dunedin Engineering and Steel Company regarding the payment of the balance on their con tract for the supply and delivery of pipe line, and the treasurer was directed to pay the amount owing, an account for extras being left in the hands of Messrs Morgan and Clark to adjust with the committee’s engineer and the contractors. At the suggestion of the Director-general of Health the consideration of the installation of a freezing plant was held over until next meeting, as was also the matter of electrical cooking. The Treasurer reported that the committee’s maintenance receipts and payments for the period ending February 29 were well within the estimates. He suggested that the committee might indicate its capital expenditure proposals for the ensuing year, so that the associated' boards migi't be able to arrange their levies, and the committee decided the following works should be undertaken: —(1) Shelters for 20 more patients, (2) residence tor assistant medical officer, (3) cool store and refrigerating plant, (4) furnishings for shelters, (5) increased water supply, (6) piggeries and fowl, runs, (7) reading and levelling and fencing of grounds. It was decide*? tn hold tile next meeting at Waipiata on Wednesday, March. 28, for the purpose of discussing these, proposals and fixing the levy for the ensuing year; the Director-general of Health to be advised. ■ . ; Accounts and salaries totalling £1714 6s 7d were passed for payment. Mr Morgan reported that the Love Constrwiwrti Uvaupany was making good progress with its contract for the erection of female patients’ •shelters, and the chairman and secretary were authorised to make progress payments to the contractors when the certificates from the Public Works engineer came to hand.