HOSPITAL AND CHARITABLE AID BOARD.

Timaru Herald, Volume L, Issue 4869, 14 June 1890, Page 4

HOSPITAL AND CHARITABLE AID BOARD.

The monthly meeting of the board wa3held yesterday. Present : Mr J. Jackson (chairman), Dr Hogg, Messrs Mooro, Quinn, Barker, and Bobs. The chairman elated that there would bo important business to como before the board iv the shape of tenders for|works. In this connection he must— and oould hardly speak too strongly about it— say something of the publio meeting the other night at which insinuations were made that planß and specifications had been suppressed. His name waa mentioned but whether it was hinted that he .was a party to the suppression or cot he did not know. He could most emphatically deny tbat be bad ever suppressed any papers intonded for the board — most emphatically. He waa informed that a sitting of the Supremo Court would be held at the end of the month, when the claim of Grace for £500 damages would come on, and he had this morning signed an authority to Messrs Perry and Perry to act for the board. In Fitzgerald'B case a summons had been issued against Mrs Fitzgerald for the amount due for hospital . treatment of her husband; it was not likely this case would come before the court. The board should that day call for tenders for supply of drugs. Hitherto it had been customary to call for one year'i supply, but Dr Lawson recommended that the tenders should I'd called for three years, as one year did not give tenderers time'to mako arrangements for im- , porting. During the month, as instructed at latfc meeting, Mr Boss and himself had Been about the Testing m the board of the land and buildings used for the Charitable Aid barracks. Air Haker had been down, and Mr Boss saw him. Mr Baker said he would recommend thata portion but not the whole of the land should be given to the board. Mr Turnbull, however, recommended that the whole should be asked for m the Bill, and Messrs Perry and Perry had been instructed to draft the bill accordingly. He considered the whole of the ground should be asked for as there were many old people m the Horns who could be usefully employed m gardening, ta the benefit of the institution and themselves too. He would mention one case m the barracks a widow; named Upricbard was m the barracks for her third confinement since the death of her buiband. At present the Board had children at their cost as follows :— boarded out 28, — i at 4a, 2 at sa, 23 at 6a. At Burnham there were 23 at a cost of 7s 6d each per week. This was too high a figure and some steps should be taken to approach the Government to see if they could not get the charge reduced. There were 3 at Nelson at 7s each, and m the barracks 14 at 6s 6d. The total was 68 children. The number of rations given during May waa 3500, to 85 families, comprising 300 souls, la the barracks there were 8 adults. The cost of charitable aid for the month waa less than the same month last year, but there were indications that it would increase again. He wished to draw the attention of members to tha fact that the local bodies were dilatory m sending m their coctribntiocs, and the effect was that the board would that day be overdrawn £356, on which they would have to pay 8 per cent interest, and what waa worse the board could not send up for subsidies on amounts not received. He hoped the membora would use tlieir influence with local bodies to get them to pay up promptly.— lt was agreed that the board should try and get the charge at Burnham reduced. Letters were read from Mrs Postlethwaite and the Rev. Father Tracer respecting charitable aid cases at Qeraldine and Arundel, and from the Chriatchurch Hospital Board respecting a patient who left tbe Timaru Hospital and entered the Christchurch Hospital the some ids?. — A police report to be asked for m one of the above casei. The secretary reported that tbe Masons had paid the expenses of the funerals of Mrs Dodds and child. An elderly woman who had been m receipt of 3s 6d per week, which had been discontinued, waited upon the board to ask for rations. As she has a well-to-do son-in-law m town, the chairman undertook to see him. It was resolved to call for tenders for a year's ordinary supplies, and for three years' supply of drugs, the three town members to examine tbe tenders. Tbe same members were appointed a general finance committee to examine accounts each month bofore tbe meetings. Dr Lawaon again drew attention to the " ventilating" windows m one of the wards as dangerous. One of them bad come down on a nurse's head. Some one would be killed some day. It was agreed that these would be dealt with m the new ventilation work. Mr McLaren's motion re hospital fees waa allowed to stand over. Dr Lawson made some remarks on the bad sanitary arrangement! of the town. He had hud a mother and three children m tbe hospital from filth fever. The mother was deid, and the district had not only to pay all expenses but maintain tbe six children till they grew up, all through bad sanitation. In reply to Mr Moore the chairman stated that the windows bad been repaired at tbe barracks and more blankets provided for the inmates for the winter. Accounts were pss<ed — Charitable Aid £136 17s Bd, Hospital £181 13s Id. The foregoing was all tbe ordinary business. The greater part of tha sitting was taken up with a discasiion of tbe drainage and ventilation question. The' chairman said there was a letter, dated Dunedio, from Mr Boss, who had not expected to bo present, and this might as well be read, and Mr Boss could make any further remarks if he chose. Mr Boss's letter, after references to the vetting of the barracks (reporting what he had done m the matter) proceeded^ : " I have had a long interview with Dr DeLatour over certain hospital reforms and will later report to you that gentleman's views, which I think are worthy of respect. Bespecting the drainage and ventilation discussion, I regret that Major Moore and the new members were not more fully, advertised of the committee's deliberations previously made m this respect, inatmuch as both myself, Dr Lovegrove, Dr Maclntyre and the other architects gave the question considerable attention, and that being so is my protest againat any proposed new scheme being acted on precipitously and without respect to a fair hearing of tbe advices offered. And I contend it was and is your duty as chairman to clearly explain and lay before the new members tbe advice se> recommended and to which Dr jLovegrove and others gave care, time, and attention." A petition signed by 83 townspeople was also read. — "Seeing that grave doubts exist m the publio miDd as to tbe efficiency of tho drainage and ventilation of the Timaru Hospital, we the undersigned mo«t respectfully suggest th&t before any further steps are taken m the matter a thoroughly competent outside sanitary engineer should be appointed to examine and report upon the whole scheme, end would tuggest the name of Mr Kdwin Cutbbert, M.1.0.5., esaiuiry engineer to the Clirietehurch Drainagd Board, for that purpose." Tbe following letter from Messrs MeasoD and Jlarehant was next read :— " We have the honour to inform you that tenders will be laid before you to-day for ndrJitionj to drainage and ventilation of the 'Jimaru Hospital. " In order that the board may have somo guarantee of the efficiency of the works we have designed, ws make the following offer : We guarantee that the worts we have designed will put the whole of the external and internal drainage and ventilation of the male and female wards and tbe new building m a thoroughly efficient state. (Tbe fever wards are excepted.) Tba work to be done to the full satisfaction of Dr Lawson, Wo will make an examination of the drainage and ventiltition every two months or at any time when called upon without further cost, for a period of 6 months, following the completion of the works ; and we will at our cost make good any defect which may be observed during that term, with the exception of brcakago or stoppage of the drains and their connections. If tho boßrd will have a formal bond drawn up embodying the above- conditions, we rill sign it at any time when oalled upon. Itiis is an unusual coune to pursue- in J any profession ; we m»ke the offer, however, 1 1 because perßonal ill-feeling has pervaded thii 1 1 subject from beginning to end, and we dosire to shoir our good faith by accepting full per- i eonal responsibility m connexion wUKournd- i vice to the board." > Mr Ros» then rosa to make a vorb*l state- i cc exit m coppott of hie letter. Ho would dii- I

abuse bia mind of all feeling and make a plain statement of the case, lhe reports of Messrs West and Duvol, which were attended to by Doctors Lovegrove, Mclntyre and himsolf bad not been fully explained to certain of the members. Mr Mooro was not present when those reports oame m, and at laßt meeting said he waa uoaware that the reports had been obtained. Then there were new members Metsrs Quinn and Sinclair, who m the absence of a proper explanation did not know what had been done. These reports were reports on the ventilation of the drains only, and they stated that the work oould be done for £10. As he said at last meeting— himself and Dr Lovegrove, mtt Dr Maclntyre and Messrs Duval and West, agreed that a very- simple method of ventilation, m the shape of shafts to to give fresh air access to the sewer, would meet all requirements, and Mr Merchant himself admitted that this would answer and would not cost mote than £10. He os ohairman sent Mr Hall-Jones to do the work, but when Mr Jones went up, Dr Lawaon admitted that he prevented him from doing anything Dr Lawaon -. Dr Lawaon did not. Mr Boss : At any rate you did not agree to it. Dr Lftwson : 1 and Mr Jowuey told Mr Hall-Jones tbat we did not know anything about it, that be was going to put the shaft m the wrong place, and if the committee wished it put m they should point out the place and not throw the responsibility on our shoulders. Mr Hall-Jones said he had no instructions, that he thought the place a foolish one, and he went away and did nothing. Mr Boss : Mr Jowsey knew where the drain ran and he was to point out the place. Dr Lawson : We never heard aßytbiog about it. Mr Barker: Wby did not the committee point out the place ? Mr Hosa : It was talked over at the building. Pursuing the subject generally, Mr Boas •poke of tbe repeated demands for additional expenditure when each m turn was declared to be all that was necessary lo make the building perfect. £4000 waa Bpent m additions that were to complete the hospital. Then there came a demand for a morgue. Next hot water, next a drying room, then £10 for a e'laft to ventilate the sewer, and now this had grown to over £100. The publia were getting tirsd of it, Bad seeing the divided opinion among architects and builders and people who understood it he waa m favour of getting an outside opinion — not out of disrespect to the professional men who of course always differed, but to satisfy the public mind. Ie would only cost five or ten guineas and the matter would then be put at rest. If Mr Marchant was right, he Bhould not be afraid of it. Mr Merchant, who was m attendance, said he would explain the whole matter m a few words. Mr Boas objected. The other architects were not present ; Mr Marohant had made his report, and if was allowed to " explain," the others should have the same privilege. Mr Barker said he waa of tho Bame opinion, it was not made clear before that those other two reports were asked for and paid for by the board, and if one architect waa to appear before the board to support his report the others should also- He did not know, or rather bad forgotten, that the other reports hid been askod for. They should all be treated alike. Mr Moore saw no reason for departing from the decision of the laat meeting. The reason he objected to Mr Duval's report was tbat he had not been asked to interfere. He learned tbat Mr Duval was asked. He then asked why bis report had not been read, and waa told it was read at a meeting at which he (Mr Mooro) was not present. It appeared then that three reports had been read, and Mr Marohant's had been taken for further consideration while the other two were put aside ; Mr Marchant was asked to report further, and the board adopted this further report. All the reports had been dealt with and he could see no reason for " defending " or " explaining " any of them. Mr Marohant said he did not want to "defend" his report, but to contradict Mr Boss's miestatement!. He wna asked to report ; he did not ask tbe board to engage him. Tbe)|obairman put it to the vote whether Mr Marchant should be beard and it was carried by three to two. Mr Marchant said he would make his story short. Complaints were made about the drainage when Mr Hoss was chairman, and bis name waa mentioned as the proper person to put right what was wrong. (Hare Mr Marehant went into tho matter of & private quarrel with Mr Boss and was checked by the chairman.) He apologised and proceeded, Baying Messrs Weet and Dnval wore asked to report, and they reported that all that waa necessary was to provide some ventilation for the sewer. He spoke to Mr Boss about it saying it was unfair that he ahould be passed over, and it was agreed tbat he should be asked to send m a report too. He did not know then that the old closets had been connected with the drains, and he told Mr Boss that all that was needed was to give air lo the drains. He forgot how it came about, but ha was then requested to make a full report on the drainage and ventilation. He sent m a report and it remained m the board's hands for some time. He attended two meetings to explain what waa wanted, and then was instructed to prepare plans and specifications. His opinion was tbat those plans should be carried out to make tbe drainage and ventilation perfect. That was all ho had to say. The plans were there and he had no doubt they would be quite satisfactory. Mr Marohant repeated the offer m his letter, and said he did not think he could make a more satisfactory offer to show bis lona fides. The objections to hia work arose from matters outside the hotpital altogether. Tbe chairman >aid there were the plans and the tenders j it waa for the board to decide upon them impartially, without fear or favour. Mr Bobs moved that the tenders be not opened until an expert had reported. Ho asked tho board to respect the petition of 83 respectable townspeople. There waa a good deal of feeling about this matter, and there would be a good deal more if the course he moved for was not adopted. As to tbeir private quarrel, Mr Marchant might bave left that oulaide, and as to his not being first asked to report, it would have been asking him to report on defects m bis own work. When be was aaked to report he said all could be fixed up for £10, and now they bad a work to cost over £100. The chairman reminded the board that this was not a Timaru matter, but one concerning the ratepayers from Bangitata to Waimate i the town of Timaru contributed but a amall proportion of tbe whole cost, and had no right to greater consideration than its proportion of the contributions gave it. Mr Barker said it waa a great pity that a personal olement had got into tho business, but as it had, the board should try and let the district profit by it. That waa the viow he took of it. If though the professional quarrel the board could get tho work done better and cheaper, so much the bettor. They should Jtry, however, to get the per- i sonal element oat of it, bat it scorned almost i impossible After -what had happened he : was In favour of taking an outsider's opinion, i Mr Barker had undertaken to second Mr Ross's motion j but made some objection to it, preferring ono of his own, so Mr Boss I withdrew it and said tbat bs would take i other stops, by calling a publio meeting, to i see tbat fairplay was given to all. Mr Barker was inclined to call for specifications and offers from the various arohiteoti to make tha i drainage aud ventilation efilcient. It hud < como down to o dispute botvreen two pro- ( fessionnl men, and ho did not ace bis way to i tako ono sido more than another. i Mr Bobs laid ho felt vory strongly that < fair play had not been given to other people, f The chairman eaid he could hardly allow J tbat remark to pass. No plans had ever been suppresaed. 1 Mr Boss: I aay that hsif the members I wore m ignorance of them. ■ ' Mr Moore : I was m ignoranco of them. 1 j I think they ought to have boon boforo the ( board. < Mr Quinn »aid that they had had | this i matter boforo the board throe or four months i and ho was getting tired of it. Ho would < move " Tbat the tenders be oponcd and con- i lidtrod." The question was brought before < the board by Dr Lawson and it was suggested i

that some engineer should report on tho ventilation and drainago, and Mr Marchant was mentioned. Subsequently bis report waa sent m and published, so that members could thoroughly understand it, and Mr Merchant dii asked to attend a meeting with a view of giving further information if required. Unfortunately at that meeting there was barely a quorum and the whole matter was put off to the next. Mr Marohant appeared at that meeting, and gave, to his mind, a fair explanation of the requirements. He (Mr Quinn) had no private feeling m tbe matter. Suah feelings, if any. member had them, should be left outside ; private grudges had no bu»iDC»B at a publio board. A few days ago he was surprised to see that an eminent gentleman had advertised that he would leoture on the drainage and ventilation of the hospital. He thought that a very Btra'nge thing. With regard to the petition . he would ask whether the ratepayers of Timarn were to over-ride those of the county of Geraldine and Maokeneie when Timaru contributed £238 a year, and Geraldine county alone £1257. If they wished to got up' a petition they should have gone to the ratepayers of the country also. The board h,ad to look to the country bb well as to the town, and if there was any dirl.y linen to be washed let it bs washed elsewhere. To his mind there hsd been pressure brought to bear— he had good reasons for believing it — for the purpose of having dirty water thrown upon Messrs Meaaon and Marchant. They had tenders before them; let them accept one and not make babies of themsolves. Dr Hogg seconded Mr Quinn'a motion. Mr Moore supported it. Mr Duval said his report was " stifled." If the report was read by the board it was not stifled. When the thres reports were read and one accepted arid the others put aside, the board had done with them. Mr Quion said the matter bad been before them three or four months, iv reality it was 18 months. Ho did not care who did tho work so long as it was properly done, and the guarantee Messrs Meason and Marchant offered should get over all objections. The board sat not to consider the interests of rival architects or rival workmen, but the interests of the patients, and when they allowed matters complained of by the itaff to remain unamended, while discussing the claims of rival architects, they wore not doing their duty. The work ought to b» done, and done at once. Tbe chairman asked Mr Boss, as chairman when the reports were read, to remove the ; m p. r-;-,n that tho leports had been stifled. U> Hoss said he thought Mr Duval must have meant his last report which was not allowed to be read. As to the original report he could not say that wag stifled as it TT3B laid before the board and discussed. He understood Mr Duval to mean tho report sent m to the last meeting. Mr Barker : The whole thing was a muddle from the first. Mr Boss : And is just as likely to be muddled again. Mr Quinn : Well, it does not Bay much for you old members ; you bave been here all the time. Mr Barker : I must take my share of the blame. We don't know all the inner workings, and there appears to have been some. He thought tbe board should start afresh, and would move — " That applications be invited for the thorough drainage of the Timaru Hospital, estimates and specifications to be m this day week, »o tbat tenders may be called by nelt meeting." Mr Boss seconded this motion, saying it let bygones be bygones, and all members would know what was being done. Tf Meiaon and Merchant's plans were, accepted, by all means let them go on. Le.t all have a fair opportunity. That was what he advocated at the last meeting, and he advocated it again. Mr Moore : AH had fair play before j and the other two plans were put aside. The chairman put Mr Barker's amendment, and mover and seconder haying voted for it, sod the other three members against it, Mr Eon asked the ohairman to vote. Mr Jackson said he would rather not. Mr Bobb : You have been mixed up m it m the pant and Bhould take your responsibility m it. The chairman said he did not like to Bay anything about it, but he must explain that he felt himself m an unfortunate position. He was a dealer m builders' material, aud if he voted for expenditure some people he knew would say that be did so for rbe good of his trade. For that reason ho would not eivo a casting vote. After somo parley on this point between the chairman and Mr Boss, the former Baid as tha majority of tbe board (not counting himself) were m favour of going on with the work, he would not vote. In the course of the parley Mr Bobb said tho guarantee offered waa put forward only to secure a monopoly of the board's work. It was quite unprofessional, and he mußt protoat against it. Mr Barker said Mr Duval had also offered a guarantee. The amendments being put was lost, and Mr Quinn's motion was carried, Mr Boss disaenting. The two tenders received were then opened, aud that of A. Dorm, £149 16s was accepted, the other being tbat of J. Crsigie, £164 12s 6d. Mr Marchant's estimate was £150. Tbe chairman romarked that now the business had been thus dealt with tho dissentients should submit with a good grace. The Goraldine County was tbe largest contributor to the funds, and both the county representatives bad voted for it. The ordinary business was then completed.