WAIPIATA SANATORIUM

Southland Times, Issue 20220, 4 July 1927, Page 5

WAIPIATA SANATORIUM

MEETING OF COMMITTEE. The committee met at Dunedin on Tuesday, June 28, 1927, there being present Messrs J. Ritchie (acting chairman), E. Macdonald, A. Fraser, J. Cumming, J. Korrell, F. Morgan, W. Bryant, Dr. McLean, representing the Department of Health, and Dr. Kidd (medical superintendent). Leave of absence was granted to Mr John Matheson (chairman), who was attending a meeting of the Hospital Boards’ Association in Wellington, and F. W. Watt, Ashburton, the standing orders of the committee being suspended to permit Mr W. Bryant representing the Ashburton Board. The secretary reported having received advice from the different hospital boards that their representatives on the committee had been re-elected for a further term. — Received.

Election of Chairman.—For the position of chairman for the ensuing year, Mr E. Macdonald moved and Mr E. Morgan seconded, “That Mr John Matheson, of Invercargill, be re-elected for the position.” The mover and seconder and the acting chairman spoke in high terms of appreciation of the fine sendee Mr Matheson had rendered towards the furtherance of the Waipiata Sanatorium, and his re-election was unanimously approved.

Additional Accommodation for Patients. —The Director-General of Health forwarded pencil drawings of additional patients’ accommodation and alterations to laundry and equipment, the shelters to be of wood, and the estimated cost being below the amount provided in the Committee’s estimates. The committee, after conferring with the medical superintendent, approved of the sketch plan submitted and directed the secretary to get working drawings and specifications prepared and tenders invited for the work at the earliest possible moment.

Report of Medical Superintendent.—Dr. A. Kidd reported that on June 1 there were 80 patients in the institution, and with the exception of 13 whose condition was practically stationary, they were all doing well or improving. He submitted his weather report for May, and reported on his visits to and examination of patients at Ashburton, Timaru, Oamaru and Invercargill. That during the recent hard frost they had had trouble with the water race and had to resort to the standby plant for lighting the institution; the latter also not working very satisfactorily. In connection with the race, Mr Morgan reported having the previous day inspected same and given instructions that during the frosty weather in the winter time a daily inspection of the race be made by the farm staff to prevent the water freezing, while in connection with the standby plant, the secretary was directed to write Mr Ellis, consulting engineer, as to the trouble with a view to getting it put right at the. earliest possible date.

Patients’ Bed State.—The secretary submitted his monthly report on the bed state as at date of meeting, showing that the South Canterbury Board had 26 patients, Southland 22, Ashburton 14, Waitaki 6, South Otago 6, Maniototo 3, Vincent 2, Wallace 2, and one private patient, a total of 82.

Two patients had been discharged from the institution since last meeting, both from the Southland district, one with the disease arrested, the other transferred to the Southland Hospital for operation. He also submitted a list of 37 suitable patients. —Adopted.

The farm manager submitted a list of his purchases and sales for the month, and Mr Morgan, on behalf of the Farm Committee, reported that they had decided to hold over the erection of a cowbyre until the spring.— The Farm Committee was directed to see what could be done in the way of providing accommodation at the sanatorium for the gardener.

The architect (E. R. Wilson) reported on the position of Messrs Love. Bros.’ contract for additions to the staff accommodation, which was almost completed.—Received. Finance.—The treasurer (T. Pryde) reported that there was a credit balance at the Bank of New Zealand, Invercargill, of £2017 5/7 at date of meeting, and that for the three months’ period the maintenance expenditure had been kept below the amount estimated for the period. Accounts and salaries totalling £1045 16/1 were passed for payment. Secretary.—The acting chairman referred to the fact that since the Waipiata Sanatorium was opened four years ago, Mr T. Pryde, secretary of the Southland Hospital Board, had in a most efficient and satisfactory manner filled the position of secretary and treasurer for the committee. He moved, “That a letter be sent to the Southland Board thanking the members for their co-operation and support of the committee’s work in allowing Mr Pryde and his staff to carry out the secretarial duties, and that the Southland Board be asked to allow Mr Pryde to act as the committee’s secretap 7 and treasurer for a further term.” Carried unanimously, Mr Macdonald being deputed to write to the Southland Hospital Board on the lines indicated. Mr Pryde briefly thanked the committee for its evident appreciation of the work done by his staff. It was decided not to hold any meeting in July, the next meeting of the committee to be held in Dunedin on Tuesday, August 23, the chairman and secretary to attend to any urgent business arising in the meantime and pay next month’s salaries and accounts.