HOSPITAL BOARD.

Thames Star, Volume LVII, Issue 14783, 13 October 1921, Page 8

HOSPITAL BOARD.

/ YESTERDAY'S MEETING.' The monthly meeting of the Thames' Hospital and Charitable Aid Board }vas held in the Board Rodni, Baillie Street, yesterday. Present: Messrs W, J. McCormick (chairman), W. H. Baker, W-. J, If all, G. Death, W. E. Hale, J. Rowe, H. Johnstone, andP. Brennan. WAIHI HOSPITAL, Letters were received from the Hon. C. J. Parr find Mr T. W. Rhodes, M.P. regarding the admission •of Waihi to the Thames district. The Minister said that he was obtaining a report on the matter. Mr Rhodes stated that he intended to interview the Minister regarding the proposal. NATIVE NURSES. The Medical Officer of Health advised' that District Nurse Walker, who was away on leave, had been called upon by Dr Buck to assist with urgent eases in the district where she was spending her holiday. Her. return might be delayed, but if any urgent cases were reported among the Maoris in this district the nurse in the adjacent district would attend to them. The chairman said he thought the nurse should be in the district when an epidemic was apparent. He thought the nurse should be here to organise matters. Mr, H. Johnstone moved that the board should write to Dr Hughes, asking that the nurse should be left in the district. Mr Brennan seconded the motion. V \ Mr Ro/\ye thought, if the Department gave the nurse a holiday, they should send someone in her place. FIRE ESCAPES. The superintendent of the Fire Brigade recommended that a fire escape should be provided at the front and also at the back of the nurses' home. The chairman: The fire escape was not overlooked in the plans, but the hospital buildings have no fire escapes, 'and the architect did not think they were necessary. It was decided that the letter should be sent on to the architect. REPORTS. The , resident surgeon/ reported that, during the month 48 males and 39 females had been admitted to the hospital, and 31 males and 27 females discharged, leaving 41 males and 31 females in the hospital. During the month the number of cases of scarlet fever had increased so much thai the old nurses' home had to be used to accommodate them. The month had been very heavy for medical cases, averaging--62 cases for the month. The new Xray apparatus had been installed, but there was some defect, in the transformer apparatus. The report was adopted.

The engineer reported that the inspector of machinery had inspected and passed the boilers. Some >vork was required on the brick work. During the month 54 tons of coal had been delivered and 45 tons used. The report was adopted. The superintendent of the District Homes reported that the grounds were in good order. Another paddock had been put down in lucerne. He had got through the winter without having- to buy any food for stock, and they kept a beast to the acre. 1 t The report was adopted. PATETONGA. Mr J. F. Mayne, lion, secretary of the Patetonga branch of the Farmers’ Union, wrote: “In reply to your last query I beg- to state that no promise was made or arrangement come to, that the nurse’s board, would be paid by the settlers, nor was such a settlement inferred.” The chairman said that there was no chance to get the Minister to build a place and they'would not find the accommodation. 'Mr Hali: They won’t help themselves like the Ng-atea people. Mr Hall said that 30/- a week for the year equalled £7B. If the settlers put up £4O they could have had the nurse. The board had made a very liberal offer. He moved that the board should reply that unless the settlers would find accommodation the board was not prepared to station a nurse at Patetonga. Mr Hall seconded the motion, which was carried. MISCELLANEOUS. The Mongonui Hospital Board asked if the Board would admit an old man to the District Home. The request was granted. The Kawakawa Board telegraphed asking- if an old man from that district could be admitted, and it was decided to grant the application. Messrs Death and Baker were appointed a homes committee and Messrs Brennan and Hall a hospital committee. Accounts amounting to £1705 7/1 were passed for payment. The Taumaranui Board wrote regarding an applicant for assistance.

was making any attempt to help herself, Ks otherwise the board did not feel inclined to give assistance. The secretary stated that in a letter written by the applicant to the Taumaranui Board she stated that she intended to take ill sewing. Sistei' White was granted a month’s vacation. 'The sum of £lO was passed for payment to the Hauraki Ladies’ Benevolent Society.