SOUTH OTAGO HOSPITAL BOARD.

Otago Witness, Issue 3862, 20 March 1928, Page 36

SOUTH OTAGO HOSPITAL BOARD.

MONTHLY MEETING.

The monthly meeting of the South Otago Hospital Board wag held at Balclutha on Wednesday, and was attended by Messrs Jasper Clark (chairman), H. M. Driver J. W. Fenton, A. King, J. Christie, G. H. Thomson, G. Mosley, W. M'Kenzie, T. D. Pearson, and IV. S. Thomson. The treasurer’s report stated that the receipts for February were £2535 14s 2d and the expenditure £2lBB 6s 4d, leaving a credit balance of £l5lO 0s Bd. There was a credit balance in the maintenance account of £1963 8s lid and in the capita] account a credit balance of £3799 3 S 9d. The Director-general of Health wrote stating that the consent of tho Minister was being sought for alterations and additions at the Kaitangata Hospital. The tender received for the sum of £357 10s might be accepted by the board.—The letter was received.

Mr A. V. Keisenberg, secretary of the Hospital Boards’ Association, reported on progress made in the unemployment question. The important need was to secure absolutely reliable information as to the incidence of unemployment in the respective districts. In this connection the committee set up by the association to deal with the question wished to urge that hospital boards insist on every able-bodied applicant for relief registering at a laboui bureau. In the smaller centres registration was effected through the local police office although it was understood that arrangements were in train for local post offices to take over the work. The board was asked to supply figures giving the number of unemployed and the number of persons affected during the past winter, and also figures for the nine months ended December 31, 1927. It was also asked whether there had been any increase in the number of able-bodied applicants granted relief on the grounds of unemployment. The committee had compiled the following table showing the number of cases of unemployment :—

“ Wei] we are catering for unemployment and we are going to get it.” said Mr Mosley.—The communication was received. In response to a question as to when the Director-general of Health (Dr T. 11. A. Valintine) would visit the district, the Chairman said that it had been arranged that he would meet the Waipiata Sana toriuin Committee on March 28, and he -would probably be in Balclutha soon after that date.—The chairman, the secretary and Messrs Pearson and King were appointed a committee to draw up a list of matters to be referred to Dr Valintine.

The Medica] Superintendent reported as follows for the month of February:—At the base hospital, Balclutha, 42 patients were admitted, 33 patients were discharged, and 34 remained in hospital on March 1. There were two deaths. At Milton Hospital 10 patients were admitted, seven patients were discharged, and nine remained in hospital on March 1. There was one death. At Owaka Hospital seven patients were admitted. 10. patients were discharged, and seven patients remained in hospital on March 1. There were no deaths. At Kaitangata Hospital three patients were admitted, three patients were discharged and no patients remained in hospital on March 1. There were no deaths. In addition 21 out-patients were treated at the hospital.

Cases. Persons affected. 1922-23 967 3147 1923 24 .. 566 1930 1924-25 .. 455 1450 1925-26 .. 716 2437 1926-27 .. 2497 5939