WAIPIATA SANATORIUM.

Otago Witness, Issue 3886, 4 September 1928, Page 15

WAIPIATA SANATORIUM.

MEETING OF COMMITTEE. The Waipiata Sanatorium Committee met in Dunedin last Tuesday, there being present—J. Matheson (chairman), E. Macdonald, W. Bryant, A. Fraser, j- Clark, J. Korrell, E. Morgan and Dr F. S. Maclean representing the Department of Health. Leave of absence was granted to Mr J. Ritchie. CORRESPONDENCE. Sir Maui Pomare wrote acknowledging receipt of the committee’s booklet giving an interesting history of the establishment of the Waipiata Sanatorium.— Received. Andersons, Ltd., Christchurch, wrote with reference to their contract for the supply of a steam boiler - and laundry machinery.—Received. The Standard Insurance Company, Dunedin, wrote regarding the insurance on the Dennis motor truck.—The secretary reported that in terms of the committee’s policy he had insured the truck with the State Fire Office.—Received. MEDICAL REPORT. The medical superintendent reported that on August 1 there were 93 patients in the sanatorium, all of whom, with the exception of live whose condition was stationary, were doing well or improving. He reported that he hoped to have all the new shelters available for patients this week, and would then be able to accommodate 44 males and 74 females, a total of 118. The superintendent submitted his weather report for July and the result of his visits to, and examination of patients at the different centres.—The report was. adopted and the requisition for sundry requirements granted. BED STATE. The secretary submited a statement showing that at the date of meeting the different boards had patients in the sanatorium, as follows:—South Canterbury 29, Southland 28, Ashburton 13, Waitaki nine, South Otago eight, Wallace three, Maniototo four, Vincent one Sanatorium Committee one, —a total of 96. Of these 12 had been in for more than one year and 84 for less than one year. Since the previous meeting nine patients had been discharged, six with the disease arrested, one disease quiescent, one much improved, and one unimproved. The secretary also submitted a waiting list of 55 patients (48 females and seven males) from the followin'” districts: South Canterbury 17, Soutl” land 27, Ashburton three, Waitaki four, South Otago four. The report was adopted, and, in view of the openin'” of the new shelters and the increased number of beds available for patients, the secretary was directed to work out a fresh apportionment on the basis of the capital value of each of the associated boards, and to take immediate steps to have all the beds filled. The . medical superintendent was authorised to make temporary arrangements with Dr Star r to act as assistant medical officer until the next meeting of the committee. Mr R J. M‘Naught (farm manager) submitted a report on hi s sales and purchases for the month, with details of the quantity of beef, mutton, and milk supplied to the institution, and the secretary reported having received account sales for skins, hides, and stock sold from th e farm during the month, the sheepskins realising as much as 18Ld per lb. z Mr E. Morgan, on behalf of the Farm Committee, submitted a lengthy report on various matters requiring attention, such as greenhouse to enable the gardener to raise seedlings, a quantify of suitable fencing material for the piggeries now being erected, and . drainage from the cowbyre, and these matters were held over for consideration when the committee visits the institution in a month’s - time. At the request of Mr Ritchie, Mr C. M. Ellis (engineer) reported fully oi the running of the committee’s hydroelectric plant, and stated that owing to the increased load the plant now had to carry, as compared to what it was doing when first installed, it required considerable adjustment, and he had had the necessary alterations made. He suggested that the committee’s attendant might give the plant a periodical testing as instructed by him. The report was adopted and the action of Mr Ritchie in engaging Mr Ellis to inspect the plant was approved. It was decided, on the recommendation of the matron and secretary to order from Shacklocks, Ltd., an electric cooking range to supplement the present coal range at the sanatorium. The chairman and secretary were directed to make arrangements for the erection and equipment of a cool storage room for meat, milk, butter, etc., before the summer commences. ' The treasurer submitted a statement of the receipts and payments since last meeting, and the bank balance to date; also a comparative statement showing how the committee’s actual receipts and payments compared with the amounts estimated for the period.—Adopted. Accounts and salaries totalling £1159 Is 2d were passed for payment. The chairman submitted a comprehensive report on the last meeting of the Hospital Boards’ Association’s Executive, touching' on various matters that were discussed affecting the interests of the associated boards and committee so far as the treatment of tuberculosis wa s concerned. TUBERCULOSIS COMMISSION. As the full report of the Tuberculosis Commission had not yet come into the

hands of the committee, consideration of the matter was held over in the meantime. It was decided to hold the next monthly meeting of the committee at Waipiata on September 26.