HOSPITALS BOARD.

Timaru Herald, Volume XLIII, Issue 3736, 22 September 1886, Page 3

HOSPITALS BOARD.

An ordinary meeting of the South Cantorbury Hospitals and Charitable Aid Board was held last evening m tho Town Hall, the mombers present being Mr Jno. Jackson (chairman), and Messrs Barker, Clulee, and Clarke. A letter -was read from Mr Wolf, bandmaster of the Garrison Band, stating that the Garrison Band intended to give an open air concert on Sunday next, and as it wished that a collection should bo made for the hospital, the writer asked thut the board Bhould appoint two gentlemen to take up the collection. The board accepted the offer with thanks, and on tho motion of Mr Clarke Mr Jowaey was requested to ask two gentlemen to act as collectors. A couple of letters of complaint wero read ; were considered m comj&i^Jeo, and the matters contained m them were then left to tho chairman to more fully enquire into. A mass of cbaritablo aid business was transacted, and accounts amounting to £225 4s 4d were passed for payment. As some of tho contributing bodies had not paid up, it was resolved, on the motion of Mr Clulee, seconded by Mr Clarke—" That the chairman be authorised to take legal ateps if necessary to recover immediate payment of unpaid contributions from contributing bodies." Mr Barker gave notico of motion as follows for next meeting : — " That it be tho resident surgeon's duty to look after the medical nnd surgical department of the hospital and charitable institutions m town ; that ho be responsible to the board for the proper conducting of tbo surgical eperations, and must himself provide any outside medical assistance that is required j that before any important operation ho must give twentyfour hours' notice to tho medical practitionera of tho town (oxcept m cases of emergency) ; that at consultations and operations, questions of precedence, etc., shall be ruled by the usual medical custom, assuming tho resident surgeon to be m the position of a general practitioner, charged with an important case, calling m tho assistance of his brethren ; that should difficulties arise that the fraternity cannot settle amicably, the board must be appealed to, whose decision shall bo final ; that the hospital (hall at all times be open to visits from medical men ; that any suggestions or complaints they may wish to make must be sent m to the board three days prior to a meeting." Mr Barker expressed tho wish that the important questions involved m the notice of motion should be carefully considered before, and discussed at, next meeting. He explained that he bad no intention by his motion to reduce the resident surgeon's salary, bub was prepared to state when the appointed time came m what manner ho proposed the doctor should pay the fees named. The board rose about 10 o'clock.