HOSPITAL AND CHARITABLE AID BOARD.

Colonist, Volume LIII, Issue 13021, 9 February 1911, Page 2

HOSPITAL AND CHARITABLE AID BOARD.

Tlio monthly meeting of'the. Nelson Hospital and' Charitable Aid Board was held last evening. .Present, Messrs | H. L'aigeut (chairman), W. Lock, 'I. A. Field, Gco. Macmahon, AY. N. Franklyu, P. Higgins, G. H. Allan, T. Hell, I'1". W. Thorp, n.ud Mesdames Fell and Watson. Mr Altan gave a verbal report, .a-s requested by resolution of the Board, on the Board's leases at Takaka. After discussion, it was resolved that one of tho lessees be given notice to carry out the terms of the lease within four months of notice, failing compliance steps to be taken to cancel the lease. Acton in regard to another lease was deferred until receipt of a letter. Payments were authorised as follows: Hospital account £420 8s lid; charitable aid .t'l;y<> l!s Id. Mr Field said he had been told that in view of the shortage of si.vters at the Hospital, probationers hn<l been placed in charge of the wards at night. it was agreed that enquiries be made into the matter. A lcitter was received from Dr Mackay, offering furniture to the Hoard for £6 12s 6d, and surgical instruments for £53 9s 9d, and submitting valuations from competent valuers. It was resolved to purchase tho furniture, a.nd that the matter of the surgical instruments be held over until the appointment of tho new surgeon. The case of tho young ma,n .referred to in the report of last meeting, who had alleged that he had been improperly treated at the Hospital during 19U9, was again introduced by a letter from the complainant stating that in the- circumstances he did nut think he ought to have been called upon to pay for his treatment, and asking for a refund of the amount, which he had paid under protest. D,r Mackay also forwarded a letter on the subject, stating that the complaint was absolutely unfounded. He isaid tb:> 'fracture presented a well recognised difficulty, which was' not in the slightest degree overlooked in treatment, but every effort was made, in accordance with the most advanced surgical principles and practice, to secure for him as strong and as useful a limb as was possible under the circum.sta.ncos, and the result was fully attained. He expressed his willingness to pay the fees himself if the complainant would produce- a certificate supporting his statement from any one of the, medical men with whom he. had discussed the difficulties of the case at the time, or from any Nelson medical man who saw it within a fortnight of his leaving the Hospital.— After some diseii!;?ian it was resolved that a copy of the doctor's letter be forwarded to the complainant. Tho secretary of the WaiH'anni Hospital and Charitable Aid Board forwarded a copy of K'fjolut;Di!K passed by that body expressing its keen sense of the injustice (lone to individuals givim* valuable sen ices, to public bodies and institutions by th:> provisions of The Hospitals and Charitable Institution Act 1909, and considering that the principle is wrong, a.nd will have the tendency of driving the handling of public works and funds into the hands of inexperienced men.—A short discussion followed, several of tho members expressing the opinion that the principle of the Act was a proper one. whilse others expresesd sympathy wit]-, the rpKohitiooi. It was resolved that thci letter be received. The- report of the Master of the Alexandra Home (Mr F. Liley) IV as read. It was resolved that J!r l.iloy bo granted a ioituight's leave of absence. The report of the l.leiieviiic; Officer -Mr AY. L. lloyward) was read. It was resolved that an applicant h-y granted aid to tho amount of 5s per week, and that another applicant I): 1 granted 5s a. week toward.'! hi:; rent. Constable- liitw-iimrons reported <ni a ease in the country, and it was resolved that £;J eoiifi'i)e;ii(>.iit expenses be paid, and an additional allowance of L',s Gd per week he granted. Reference was made to a case of a recipient of charitable aid, it being,' stated that the children of the'family appeared to bo rather well dressed for persons in their position—in fact., ,iu- ;- ol the girls was wearing a "hobble" skirt it. was stated that the amount of aid received liy the family was 12s 3d a week, .an:! thnt all of thorn worked. It was rosdved that tho aid be discontinued. After an explication by M-- Hmilt it wap resolved that the siini of £| .-|s be refunded a recipient, that sum having _ been deducted on account of two children being allowed to go to friends for a holiday. The Chairman mentioned that Mr I-loulkcr had offered to provide the plan of the proposed children's hospital free of cost. It was resolved that Mr lloulkcr's offer lie accepted w itli thanks. Mr Lock referred to the e.isc of an old iesident of the town, who was in I very straitened circumstances. Jt was resolved that a grant «,l "2n Cd n-,----week b." made. The; visiting committee (M---M--i'li'hl and Lock) o-, ve n vt , r i )a } , v| , ort and stated that they bad jouml ihin..s '. wihslaetory .-it the Hospital. Tli'-'v : i.""iiti(;:; ( >d a innnbi'r ~f s:;;-,ll matters : r:-(|iiirnl at tli- Alexandra Home -.id it was revived that the matters men-! tioned be attended to. Tho Board adjourned at 10 o'clock.