South Taranaki News

Taranaki Daily News, 14 December 1926, Page 2

South Taranaki News

(From Our Own Reporter.)

Telephone No. 596.

P.O. Box 153.

CARE OF THE SICK WORK AT THE HOSPITAL. MEETING OF THE BOARD. The last monthly meeting of the Hawera Hospital Board for 1926 was held yesterday. Present: Messrs A. L. Campbell (chairman), E. J. Gifford, A. G. Lareom, E. A. Washer, J. S. McKay, J. J. Meldon, A. T. Wills and G. W. Tayler. The medical superintendent (Dr. W. M. Thomson) reported that 38 patients remained in hospital at the end of October, and 57 had been admitted during November. Fifty-one patients had been discharged during the month and two had died during November, so that 42 remained in hospital at the end of the month. The daily average of occupied beds was 38.7 and the total number of patient days 1161. The daily average for the eight months of the present year was 4'8.2, as compared with 43.3 for the same period of last year. Nineteen operations had been performed and 24 anaesthetics had been administered. In the X-ray department 29 cases had been dealt with, 18 being hospital and 11 private eases. Eight patients had been receiving massage treatment at the end of October, 15 patients had been’ received during the month, and 13 had been discharged, so that ten pati-, ents were still receiving treatment at the end of November. During the month 210 treatments had been given, averaging eight per day. During the month there were 14 outpatients and 66 visits had been paid. The matron (Miss E. M. Nutsey) reported that Nurses Adlam, McCarty, Washer and L. Hoddinott were in New Plymouth for their State examination, which took place on December 1 and 2. Nurse M. Washer had completed her third year on October 30, and Nurse L. Hoddinott on November 5. On September 1 authority had been given the matron to call up three additional probationers for employment at the new Ihospital. The matron said she would need others to replace the nurses who had completed their training, and they would be called up in the order of application. Miss Alice Mumby had resigned and Miss Nora Knofflock had been engaged to fill the vacancy. Ten lectures had been delivered during the month. Nurses E. Nicholson and H. Chatterton were next due for their annual leave.

The matron of the Old People’s Home (Mrs. M. Laing), reported that there were 13 men in the home. One expressed his desire to leave the home to go to work, and had done so. The inmates were keeping well. Donations of cakes had been received from the Hawera Park Bowling Club and St. Mary’s, fruit from Messrs Elliott and Sturrock, and papers and books from Messrs Foden and Travis. A basket social had been held during the month by the Salvation Army in addition to services. A vocal and instrumental programme had been rendered by Miss Hughes, of Wanganui, and Miss Sawyer, of Gisborne, and these had been much enjoyed by the inmates. SUCCESS AT THE SHOW. The hospital farm manager (Mr. H. J. Webber) reported that during November 390 gallons of milk and nine gallons, three pints of cream had been supplied to the hospital, and 60 gallons to the Old People’s Home. About the first week in the month one acre of carrots and one of mangolds had been sown. The manager had had eight entries of pigs at the Hawera show, securing one first, two seconds, two thirds and two v.h.c.’s. The charitable aid officer (Mrs. C. Twaddle) reported that during November Il visits had been paid to persons receiving charitable aid, and nine visits had been paid elsewhere in connection with such cases. The reports were adopted. A letter of appreciation was received from Mrs. Hostick for the loan of a spinal bed for her daughter, who recently proceeded to King George Hospital, Rotorua. The Director-General of Health advised that the Minister of Health had approved of the board borrowing from the Bank of New Zealand by means of an overdraft, a sum up to £lOO for the purpose of meeting the extra cost of equipment. Dr. T. H. A. Valentine also advised that the Minister of Health had approved of the appointment of Dr. J. L. Frazer as medical superintendent. Dr. Valentine said he would make a point of coming up to Hawera as soon as possible after the New Year.

The bacteriologist at the Taranaki Hospital Board’s laboratory reported that during October 512 cases had been dealt with at the laboratory, non-reeov-erable fees amounting to £124 la 6d, less the Health Department's subsidy of £8 6s Bd, and there was £7 9s 6d recoverable from private practitioners. NEW HOSPITAL GROUNDS. The contractor for the lay-out of the new hospital grounds, Mr. A. W. Buxton, attended the meeting and discussed matters in connection with the grounds. Mr. Buxton pointed out that in, the original scheme box-hedging was provided for in many portions of the ground, but in the revised scheme this had been eliminated, and as £5OO was the price of the contract the work involved was the formation of the grounds ready for planting. The chairman said with the class of country around Hawera the borders needed forming up, otherwise the earth would hlow away and box-edges were really necessary to prevent this. Mr. Buxton said box-edges could be put in in May, which would keep the earth from blowing on to the drive. He proposed to raise the lawns somewhat. P was far better to do this at once so that the lawns would be ready for planting* at the right season. The price for the work at present authorised was £558 and for another £405 8s Gel, making a total of £963 8s 6d, the work, besides covering the general formation of the grounds, would include the boxedging where necessary, the planting of all trees and shrubs and flowers for several areas, as well as levelling the ground for the tennis court, the formation of which was now under way. The price covered the complete job and took In the finding of the seed and planting the lawns.

The board discussed the matter fully and subsequently decided to go on with Die original scheme at a cost of £963 8s 6d, which comprised the complete laying out of the grounds, including the levelling of the area, for a tennis court. In answer to a question, the chairman said there was a £1 for £1 subsidy from the Government for the work, so that the board’s liability would be approximately £5OO. The amount of £463 would not be payable until after March 31 next, and would appear on next year’s estimates. The matter of utilising the old buildings as the Old People’s Home and as a maternity home was referred to by the chairman, who said the facilities were very suitable. He thought the matter should be fully discussed at the meeting with Dr. Valentine on his visit to Ha wera. HOSPITAL BY-LAWS. Mr. F. J. 'Fenton, of the Department of Health, attended the monthly meeting of the Hawera Hospital Board yesterday and gave an address on the procedure which should, in his opinion, be adopted in the administration of the new hospital. The taking over of the new hospital will involve a rearrangement of the board’s bylaws governing the general administration of the new institution and Mr. Fenton gave some adviee on this matter. After Mr. Fenton’s address a committee consisting of Messrs Campbel), Larcom, Washer, Tayler and Wills was set up to meet on Monday next and go into the matter of bringing the by-laws up-to-date.

THE NEW HOSPITAL. BUILDING NEARING COMPLETION. "I don’t think there is any chanee of you getting there before the middle of February,” said the architect, Mr. J. A. Duffill, at the Hawera Hospital Board's meeting yesterday, when referring to the construction of the new hospital. In his report the architect stated that the work generally was approaching completion, but no particular department was actually finished. The consulting engineer to the Health Department (Mr. Anderson) had made an inspection of the boilers on December 3 and after some small adjustment of fittings by the contractors a clearance had been given them. The hot water and heating devices were nearing completion, and it was expected to have everything ready for a steam test on Wednesday.

The electric installation contract was completed, subject to some minor adjustments, and during the month a night inspection had been made, and the architect’s full expectations realised, the ward lighting, especially, having been very good. After the special meeting the committee, secretary, the new medical superintendent and the architects had met on the works and, at the request of the doctor, the committee authorised the removal of the telephone exchange from the present position to the room immediately across the corridor, the installation of an extra telephone, and finally, that the colour of the painting of the theatre block be changed from the existing colour to a straw colour. The linoleum had landed on the job and was well up to sample. A start could be made at an early date with the laying of this in the administration block. GENERAL ITEMS. The matron of the Public Hospital acknowledges the following gifts:— Books, Mrs. McCoy; flowers, Mrs. Cowie; butter, Mrs. Leydon; children’s handkerchiefs, Mrs. Ritchie; children’s gifts, Mr. Horsburgh; flowers, Mr. Vowless; weekly papers, Mr. Sutton. It appears that in the recent list of citizens who had made donations to the Hawera Hospital, the name of the Mitchell Estate was omitted. The secretary, reporting to the board yesterday, stated that he had not been able to find any record of the donation, the records only going back to 1902, yet there was a plate above one of the wards bearing the name of “The James Mitchell Ward, 1894.” The secretary was instructed to make a further search. During the summer weather of last week shearing operations were proceeding apace and one sheep-farmer remarked yesterday that for the first time in almost 20 years he had been able to complete his shearing in the week without being hindered by bad weather. On a charge of driving a car while under the influence of liquor, a farmer, residing near Eltham, appeared before Messrs L. A. Bone and C. O. Ekdah), J.’P.'s, at the Hawera Court yesterday. The accused was convicted and discharged. The defendant admitted having six drinks in four hours, but denied being intoxicated. PERSONAL ITEMS. Nurse C. McCarty, after completing her three years’ training and passing her hospital examination, has resigned from the staff of the Hawera Hospital. Her resignation was accepted with regret at the- meeting of the board yesterday. At the meeting of the Hawera Hospital Board yesterday the chairman, Mr. A. L. Campbel], referred to the approaching retirement of the present medical superintendent, Dr. W. M. Thomson, who had served the board so capably and well for many years. The board decided to appoint Dr. Thomson honorary consulting medical officer to the board.

The names of the Misses Monica Beechey and Nina Palmer were added to the probationers’ waiting list at the meeting of the Hawera Hospital Board yesterday. Mr. F. J. Fenton, of the head office of the Health Department, was in Hawera yesterday. Mr. J. W. Gardner, of the Welfare League, is on a visit to Hawera. METHODIST SUNDAY SCHOOL. The Methodist Sunday School anniversary provided the occasion of a presentation of prizes and diplomas, and the consideration of the annual report at the Methodist Church last evening,

when the superintendent, Mr. E. Dixon, presided over a large attendance of parishioners and children. A good programme of singing by the children and anthems by the choir, conducted by Mr. Bert Smith, added to the interest of the evening. Mr. Dixon gave an interesting address and the presentation of prizes was made by the Rev. W. J. Oxbrow. The annual report stated that twenty scholars had gained their diplomas, Miss C. Squire for the seventh year, and Miss J. Crompton for the sixth year. The total number of scholars on the roll was 175, Bible Class 35, and teachers and staff 20, making a total of 230, and the average attendance was 170. The report stated that Mr. Dixon had completed 32 years in the school and 22 as superintendent. The annual balance-sheet revealed the largest credit balance in the history of the school, the amount being £26 16s lOd after £l6 had been donated to home and foreign missions. Approximately 100 intermediate scholars out of 130 had gained over 85 per cent, of marks for attendance and examination, and each had thereby won a prize. Tire report and balance-sheet were adopted. The programme was arranged by Mr. Bert Smith and H. N. Lister, H. C. A. Fox trained the children for the anniversary, and altogether a very pleasant evening was spent by all.