HOSPITAL AND CHARITABLE AID BOARD.

Colonist, Volume LVI, Issue 13510, 2 July 1914, Page 7

HOSPITAL AND CHARITABLE AID BOARD.

The monthly meeting of the Nelson Hospital and Charitable Aid Board was held yesterday, there being present: Messrs -Baigent (chairman), Simpson, Harrison, Hewetson, Houlb, Lock, Allan, and Mesdames Fell and Watson.

Messrs Bell and Franklyn were excused from attendance.

Payments were- authorised for the hospital amounting to £330 3s 7d. and for charitable aid £314 0s 2d.

Three nurses (sisters) at the hospital applied for their salaries to be increased from £70, to £80 per year. The request was not granted. ; The matron at the hospital was granted a requisition for blankets and quilts...... The report of the -Alexandra Home showed that three persons had been" admitted during June. The chairman .was authorised to see to procuring a iiro alarm, a hose, and two escapes for the home. Messrs Lock, Harrison, and tho chairman were appointed to deal with reported cases of filthy habits. On the Relieving Officer's report being read, it transpired that a girl who had been in the Dominion twelve months had had a baby, and declared that she did not know who the father was. Mr Hoult said this was too bad. The board was becoming too charitable in these cases. It was time to wipe all such cases out, and refuse aid. Mrs Fell said it was extremely difficult to know what to do in such cases. It certainly was time to consider seriously what could be done to make bad girls and evil-minded men better citizens.

Relief was granted. A letter was received from the Society of Carpenters and Joiners, forwarding a resolution in which objection was taken to remarks of the Resident Surgeon in his report of his trip to Australia regarding the new hospital, as to bad workmanship. Dr. Washbourn said he did not refer to workmanship done in the district. It was plastering done in Australia that he referred to. , The letter was received. The Health Inspector reported several cases of infectious diseases in town and country district. Mr Hewetson said the appointment'of the Health Inspector was one of the wisest steps the board had taken. The chairman endorsed. Mr Hewetson's statement. Mrs Fell was pleased to hear the remarks, for she had for some time before the appointment was made advocated such being done. The Waimea and Murchison County Councils notified their approval of Mr John Corder to fill the vacancy on the board caused by the death of Mr P. Higgins. The secretary said the approval of the Motttoka Borough Council had to be received before Mr Corder could take his seat. Mr F. de J. .Clere, architect, of Wellington,' wrote that he coijld not accept the appointment as architect for proposed Nurses' Home on the conditions mentioned in the Board's letter to him. He pointed out that he should- have 6| per cent, commission. It was resolved to accept Mr Clere s resignation of the appointment _ On the casting vote of the chairman, it was resolved to postpone the appointment of an architect in Mr Clere's place for a month. Some . recommendations forwarded from the Wellington Board as to dealing Avith venereal diseases were read, and approved of. Mr A. R. Griffin wrote regarding his appointment as architect for the new hospital. He desired the Wellington firm to be deemed advising and consulting architects, not joint architects. -It was resolved to consult the Health Department, and to take legal advice. The members were- not clear how tar they would as a board be responsible for payments. . . The committee who visited lakaka in connection with the proposed cottage hospital were asked to bring up a written report

The town members of the board were appointee] to meet the city, councillor© to consider the Health Inspectors salary. . , .. . "'". . Several cases -received rcJier, and in some instances hospital fees were reduced. , ' „_ The hospital return showed to patients on the list, 24 having, been received and 28 discharged dump; June. There were four deaths. There are twelve patients in the consumptives, annexe. v " The board rose at six o'clock.