WAIPIATA SANATORIUM

Southland Times, Issue 20525, 29 June 1928, Page 9

WAIPIATA SANATORIUM

MEETING OF COMMITTEE. The Waipiata Sanatorium Committee met in Dimedin on Tuesday evening, June 26, there being present—Messrs J. Matheson, E. Macdonald, W’. Bryant, A. Fraser, J. Clark, E. Morgan, J. Horrell, and Dr Maclean representing the Department of Health. The secretary reported that each of the associated boards had re-elected its previous representative with the exception of Ashburton and Maniototo, the former having appointed Mr Bryant in place of Mr F. W. Watt who found it difficult to attend the meetings of the committee, and in the case of the Maniototo Board it had not yet appointed its representative for the ensuing year.

For the position of chairman, Mr John Matheson, on the motion of Messrs Macdonald and Bryant, was re-appointed for a further term, the mover and seconder expressing their aroreciation of the interest in the work of the sanatorium shown by Mr Matheson from its inception, and the tactful manner with which he as chairman had conducted the committee’s business.

Subject to the approval of the Southland Hospital Board, Mr T. Pryde was re-ap-pointed secretary and treasurer. The Director-General of Health wrote regarding the committee’s estimated capital expenditure for 1928-29 and the secretary’s reply thereto was approved wherein he recommended that the committee’s levy on the associated boards for capital expenditure for the ensuing year, which the DirectorGeneral had suggested might be reduced or held in abeyance until after the Tuberculosis Commission had submitted its report, be allowed to stand, as the boards had already adopted their estimates to include the committee’s proposed requirements, and that in the event of any of the work not being proceeded with, the committee would not call on the boards for the whole of the proposed levy. The Director-General of Health forwarded the Minister’s consent to the erection of six extra two-bed shelters for female patients.— Received. With reference to the accommodation for patients, the secretary reported that 32 shelters for female patients and nine for .male patients, were practically completed so far as the building contractor was concerned, but same could not be utilized until the contractor for the supply of the steam boiler and laundry machinery had put in his plant to enable the patients to have a hot water service for wash hand basins and showers, and that on learning this fact he had communicated with the contractors, who informed him that they were allowed until October 23 to complete the installation of the boiler and machinery.

The members of'committee expressed their surprise and disappointment at the length of time that had been allowed by the Public Works Department for the completion of this contract, especially in view of the fact that the same contractors in January last had signed a previous contract to deliver the whole of the machinery and plant by April 11. The chairman reported that he and the secretary had discussed the advisability of adopting certain temporary measures for supplying hot water to these buildings, but after going into the matter with the building supervisor of the Public Works Department found these could not be carried out without considerable expense. The committee therefore left the matter in the hands of the chairman and secretary to take what immediate action is considered necessary with the Department of Health, Government architect and the contractor with a view to having the steam boiler installed as soon as possible. The ordering of electric cooking range and electric water heater for the male patients’ new shelters was left in the hands of the chairman and secretary with power to act. Dr A. Kidd (Medical Superintendent) reported that on June 1 there were 37 males and 42 females in the sanatorium, a total of 79, and with the exception of eight whose condition was stationary all were doing well or improving. The report was adopted, and requisition for drapery, stationery, drugs, dressings, electric bulbs, etc., granted. BED STATE. The secretary reported that at date of meeting the following boards had patients in the institution:—South Canterbury 20, Southland 23, Ashburton 9, Waitaki 8, South Otago 6, Wallace 3, Maniototo 4, Vincent 1, private patient 1, Sanatorium Committee 1, a total of 76, while arrangements had been made with the different boards to fill the vacant beds within the next few days. Of that number one had been in the Sanatorium for more than two years, 12 for more than one year, and 63 for less than one year. Since the previous meeting 7 patients had been discharged, 6 with the disease arrested, and 1 condition improved. He also submitted a waiting list of 80 patients who had been examined and recommended for admission by Dr Kidd, from the following districts:—South Canterbury 29, Southland 33, Ashburton 6, Waitaki 4, South Otago 7, Maniototo 2. The chairman and secretary reported fully on the visit of the Tuberculosis Commission to Waipiata, and submitted an outline of the evidence they had there given, which was approved by the committee, members complimenting them on the valuable statement they had presented and the prompt manner with which they had availed themselves of the invitation of the commission to be present. The farm manager submitted a report on his sales and purchases for the month, and Mr Morgan on behalf of the Farm Committee reported on what work had been carried out at the institution since the previous meeting.

The secretary submitted a number of communications he had received offering to supply the institution with billiard tables of different makes and descriptions, and the purchase of a table was left in the hands of the chairman and secretary’ with power to act, the former reporting that the committee had now more than sufficient in hand to procure a really good table, and commented with appreciation on the fine work done by Mr A. Mclnnes of Otiake in the Waitaki district in collecting over £65 towards this purpose. The secretary was directed to write and thank the latter for his splendid effort. The treasurer submitted statements of receipts and payments ror the month and bank balance at date, also a statement of the actual maintenance receipts and payments as compared with the amounts estimated for the three months. He also submitted his annual report and the committee’s statistical tables and accounts for the year ended 31/3/1928, which were received and adopted. Accounts and salaries totalling £2,270 18/8 were passed for payment.

It was decided to hold the next meeting in Dunedin on July 31, 1928.