HOSPITAL BOARD.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 12587, 18 October 1911, Page 6

HOSPITAL BOARD.

The monthly meeting of the Cook Hospital and Charitable Aid Board was held this afternoon, instead of next Friday evening. There "were present: Messrs Chas. Gray (chairman), D. Hepburn, A. M. Lewis, H. Telford, T. Holden, R. Johnston and Dr Collins. The monthly report stated that on September 14 there were 52 patients m the Hospital, 62 had been admitted from September 14 to Otetober 17. The num- ; her discharged from September 14 to ,p«ctober 17 was 52; deaths, 2; patients m Hospital at October 17, 60. .Mr R. C. Vigis, Custodian of the Old People's Home, reported that the number of inmates m the Home at last meetings was 16, 14 men and two women ; admitted during the month, 3 men; died m hospital from Home, 1; number remaining to date, 17 — 15 men and 2 women. He acknowledged with 'thanks gifts of magazines from Mesdames J. A.. West and D. Blair, Messrs Oakley and O. Gowland.

Dr E. Thompson Rigg, house surgeon, wrote stating that as his year of office would be completed next, month He wished to give notice of resignation. :■'. The Inspector-General (Dr Valintino) wrote that he had not so- far obtained a [Successor to Dr Rigg. He 'had written to Professor Anderson Stuart, of the Sydney University, asking him to let him know of a suitable man for the position. •

. Dr Rigg's resignation as -house surgeon was accepted with regret, and it was agreed to ask him if he coul<l con j tinue m office until his successor is appointed. - The Chairman said the visiting committee had authorised a new tent to be erected at the hospital m place of the did one, m case it was required. Dr Valintine notified that the Minister ■had consented to the erection of the new hospital. , The Board then conferred with Mr Atkins regarding the working plans for the new hospital with a view to deciding to call for tenders.

The Chairman said he had inquired whether it would be practicable to pusn on with the isolation ward at the new site, and save extending the male surgical ward at the present hospital, but it had been pointed out that that scheme would be unworkable, and would add •to the cost of the new hospital. , Dr. Collins said they were faced with the question of either extending the ward or going on with a portion of the new hospital.

In reply to Dr. Collins, ,Mr Atkins said it would probably bo two years before the new hospital was completed 1 . Dr Collins said he would give notice of motion to rescind the previous resoluttion regarding the extension of the present hospital, with a view to proceeding with the extension.

• In reply to the Chairman, Mr Atkins said it would be difficult to arrive at an estimate of the extra cost for specifying that the isolation ward should be completed m six months. He suggested getting alternative tenders, and then the Board could decide.

It was finally decided to call for tenders for the erection of the whole of the new hospital building.