WAIPIATA SANATORIUM.

Otago Witness, Issue 3912, 5 March 1929, Page 17

WAIPIATA SANATORIUM.

MEETING OF COMMITTEE. The Waipiata Sanatorium Committee met at Dunedin on February 26, there being present Messrs J. Matheson (chairman), W. Bryant, A. Fraser, J. Clark, J. Horrell, J. Ritchie, E. Morgan, and Inspector K. Cameron representing the Department of Health. ’ The district engineer, Public Works Department, wrote asking for certain information regarding the committee’s hydro-electric scheme that was necessary before water-power licenses could be granted, and this matter was left in the hands of the local member (Mr F. Morgan) to obtain the particulars asked for, and forward to the secretary. The Ashburton Hospital Board advised that it had now no patient on the waiting list for treatment in the sanatorium and expressed its appreciation, of the extremely satisfactory results accomplished by the sanatorium and its medical anti nursing staff in the curative treatment of patients from their district. —The letter Was received with marked appreciation, Mr Fraser, of the -Waitaki Board, stating that his board was of exactly the same opinion so far as the result of treatment of their district patients in the institution was concerned. The medical superintendent (Dr A. Kidd) advised that he had made temporary arrangeemnts for carrying on the engineering work at the institution.—Received. The Waipawa Hospital Board wrote asking for detailed information regarding the working of the Waipiata Sanatorium scheme, and the secretary’s action in suppling the necessary information was approved.

Dr A. Kidd reported that on February I there were 41 males and 71 females in the institution, a total of 112, and of this number (with the exception of 15, whose coriftition at present was stationary) all ■were doing well or improving. He submitted a statement of his visits to the different centres during the month, and the patients that he recommended as suitable for treatment from the Southland and South Canterbury districts. He also forwarded a copy of a report from the inspector of machinery, Dunedin, regarding the condition of the sanatorium boiler, electrical, freezing, and laundry plants, and advised that different minor alterations suggested by the inspector were being attended to.—The report was adopted. The secretary (Mr T. Pryde) reported that at the date of the meeting the following boards had patients in the institution:—South Canterbury 34, Southland . 34, Ashburton 16, Waitaki 9, South Otago 8 - t Wallace 2, Maniototo 3, Vincent 1, Waipiata Sanatorium Committee 1, total’ 108, of which number two had been under treatment for more than 12 months and 101 for less than 12 months. Since the previous meeting of the committee 10 patients had been discharged, eight with the disease arrested, one with the disease quiescent, and one much improved. H e reported that patients from the fol- : lowing districts were awaiting admission to the institution:— Southland 12, South Canterbury 5, Waitaki 3, and South Otago 1; a total of 21.—The report was adopted. The farm manager (Mr R. J. M'Naught) submitted a statement of his sales and purchases for the month, while, Mr Morgan, on behalf of the Farm Committee, reported that since last meeting the pig yards, shelter sheds, and boiler house, had been built; that at present they had 50 j igs growing into bacon; that the water course past the meh’s pavilion had been cleaned out and straightened; that new entrance gates to the institution had been completed; and a glasshouse built for plant raising; that 19 © cows were at present supplying milk for the use of the institution.—The report was adopted. The secretary submitted a large list of people in different parts of Otago and. .Southland who had farm wagons for sale/ and the matter was left in the hands of the chairman and secretary with power, to act .in making a purchase. The secretary was directed to write to the Public Works Department respecting the alterations to the laundry plant, which had been previously authorised, Mr E. R. Wilson, architect, submitted a plan and estimate of cost for a cottage for the assistant medical offic. These were approved and adopted, subject to the approval of the medical superintendent and consent of the Department of Health. The treasurer submitted a statement of the committee’s finances, showing that for II months ended February 28, : 1929, the committee’s maintenance receipts were £B5O in excess of the amount estimated for the period, while the maintenance expenditure was £1439 less, and although the ►■Committee had at date a fairly large balance, a number of items for ■capital expenditure such as supply and installation of laundry plant, engineer’s gnd architect’s fees, erection of piggeries, .fowl , runs, etc., had yet to be paid for, which would wipe out the bank credit balance.—The report was adopted. The committee devoted considerable time to discussing its estimated expenditure for the ensuing year, and. as requested, the medical superintendent (Dr Kidd) submitted a report and pointed out that it was necessary to have better accommodation for administrative purposes, such as offices for the medical superintendent and matron; examining and dressing rooms .for patients; dispensary and ■laboratory; X-ray and Ultra-violet plant for treatment purposes. In view of the necessity of these and other minor re-

quirements, the committee decided to ask departmental approval to levy on the associated boards next year the sum of £4500 for capital expenditure, the secretary stating that the present arrangements whereby each board paid the full fee of 9s per day for the treatment of its patients in the institution would cover the maintenance and running expenses of th e institution and farm. - Accounts and salaries totalling £1290 6s 4d were passed for payment. It was decided to hold the next meeting of the committee at Dunedin on Thursday, April 4, 1929.