HOSPITAL DISTRICT BOARD.

Poverty Bay Independent, Volume I, Issue 71, 7 November 1885, Page 2

HOSPITAL DISTRICT BOARD.

In conformity with the gazetted notice the County and Borough Council’s met on Thursday as the above Board. His Worship the Mayor (in the chair) and Crs Smith, Joyce, Chambers, Lewis, Gray, Kenny, Gannon, and Trimmer were present. The Mayor said the first business was to appoint a Chairman. Mr Lewis proposed and Mr Chambers seconded that the Mayor be ex officio Chairman. His Worship thought the Mayor would be a fit and proper person to be Chairman. The motion was then put and carried A letter was read from the Hospital Secretary stating that the < ommittee had resolved to petition the Governor for seperate incorporation, and also enclosing a statement of receipts and expenditure for the year. A letter from the Premier requesting to be informed who was to conduct the correspondence of the Board, and the following telegram was also read: — “ In order to enable the Board to more readily perforin their functions, Government will make the payments for Hospital and Charitable aid it has hitherto made up to tne end of the present month, but the Board must, from the Ist December, make provision as the Act requires, the Government granting subsidies as provided in the Act.” The Mayor was not quite clear as to the meaning of this te egratn, but he thought it only affected those hospitals that were under the direct control of Government.

Mr Brown thought it meant that Government would pay the subsidy due up to the end o f the present month, instead of waiting till the end of the quarter Mr McAra stated on behalf of the Benevolent Institution that they saw nothing for it but to hand the society over to the Board, as there was no probability of getting the Jfficxr guaranteed. Mr Chambers would propose that the Hospital and Charitable Society continue on as heretofore, and totally ignore the Act. Another thing, that Council was not to be made a workhouse board. The Hospital and Benevolent Institution had been well worked in the past, and should continue on as at present. His Worship said if the petition failed the whole property of the Institution would vest in the District Board, and they would have to appoint a re-

Sieving officer, There could be no doubt but what when it was known that there was an organised body for relief that it would be abused. In answer to Mr Chambers’ idea that they should ignore the Act altogether, he might say that such a course would result in the society losing the Government subsidy of £ for /". But if the present committee chose to act nominally under the Board, they could go on as usual without any interference. If it was found that the Benevolent Society could not get sufficieht funds, then the Board would have to contribute. But as there was funds in hand that was not likely for some time to come.

Mr McAra said they had /"Sa 8 1 in hand and were perfectly willing to go on as suggested. In answer to Mr C. Smith the Chairman said he did not see any difficulty as to the Treasurer being a member of the Board.

The Mayor then moved, Cr Chambers seconded, “ That this Board is quite prepared to and will most cordially agree to appoint the present Committee managing the Benevolent 1 nstitution as an Administrative Association to manage and superintend the outdoor relief, and other aid authorised by the Act, and rendered necessary lor the superintendence of the institution ; such Committee appointed to have power to collect contributions.”—Carried It was resolved tnat the Chairman be Treasurer, ex officio, and conduct the correspondence of the Board, having power to sign documents for the Board, and Crs Lewis and Townley have power to affix the seal of the Board as required from time to time, and that the Chairman and Messrs Kenny and Gray frame bye-laws to be submitted to a meeting to be held hereafter called by the Chairman. The Board then rose.