HOSPITAL AND CHARITABLE AID BOARD.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 5221, 29 January 1885, Page 4

HOSPITAL AND CHARITABLE AID BOARD.

♦ The Hospital and Charitable Aid Board held au ordinary meeting yesterday afternoon ; present — Mr H. Thomson (Chairman), Dr Prins, the Mayor of Sydenham, Mr C. T. Ick, Mr J. G. Hawkes, Dr Turnbull. An apology was made for the absence of the Mayor of Lyttelton, who was unable to attend. CORRESPONDENCE, &C. A quantity of correspondence re patients was read. A list of effects of deceased patients was laid upon the table in accordance with instructions that such list should be supplied at each meeting of the Board. It was decided to have the lists copied into a book. The Chairman said he had a letter from Dr Nedwill, which entirely concerned the enquiry, and did not come before the present meeting. The whole of the notes of the evidence were laid on the table. The Chairman said that his Worship the Mayor had placed the City Council Chambers at the disposal of the Board for Friday night. The meeting of the Board would not be open to the public, but a special meeting of the Board. Mr White thought that tho reporters should be admitted. Dr Turnbull thought the reporters should be present. The Chairman had meant that. Mr Hawkes thought there should be no interference of the public with the deliberations of the Board. Mr Ick thought the letter might be considered at the present meeting. Mr White had differed from the other members of the Board present on the last night of the enquiry, and therefore wished to know if it was to be a public or a private meeting. The Chairman said it should, in his opinion, be conducted in the way a Bench of Magistrates would — they would retire to talk over their decision after hearing the evidence. The evidence in the enquiry had all been taken. He was not sure that Dr Nedwill's letter was admissible. There was a lack of courtesy in Dr Nedwill's sending his letter to the papers before any member of the Board had seen it. Mr Ick again suggested that Dr Nedwill's letter should now be considered. The Chairman said that the Mayor of Christchurch and the Hon E. C. J. Stevens wished to be present when the letter was received, and understood that it would ba dealt with at a special meeting. Mr White considered that Dr Nedwill's letter should be read in open Board. The Chairman remarked that Dr Nedwill had already given the letter all publicity. Dr Nedwill's wish was that it should be attached to the evidence, and that Avould be for the Board to decide. Mr White asked when it had been decided to have a special meeting. The Chairman said it had not yet been absolutely settled, but several members thought it desirable to have a^meetingto consider the enquiry alone. Dr Turnbull understood what was required. Mr White considered that at the special meeting the public and Press would be prevented from being present. He would object to that. Dr Turnbul said the Press had always been present at special meetings except at the staff meeting. Mr Hawkes asked Mr White if he thought any benefit would accrue from the meeting being held with open doors. Mr White believed in the public being admitted on all occasions. Mr Hawkes supposed all that had to be done was for the Board to deliberate on their decision. The public had nothing to do with that. The Chairman supposed the Board would arrive at a decision and give the decision in writing. Mr White asked that each member might have a copy of the evidence.

The Chairman said Mr 'White could c have copies of the whole evidence. ( Tho Board decided to hold a special s meeting on Friday next at 7.30 p.m. t Mr Ick understood Mr White to wish to ] know if the reporters would be admitted. > ] The Chairman said that would be for j the Board to decide on Friday. 1 1 patients. ! \ The Hospital Committee reported that <• during the last fortnight 19 patients had '■ I been admitted and 29 been discharged, j i leaving 60 in tho Institution. During the •'. same period there had been six deaths. At ' 1 the corresponding period lost year the j i number *bf patients was 80. From the Casual Ward, Lyttelton, there i was no report. j ] At Akaroa Hospital cottage the number i of patients was four. At the Ashburton Home the number of : inmates was 54. FEVER WARD. Mr Ick asked if any reply had been received from Government as to a subsidy of £1 for £\ to any contributions raised towards the establishment of a separate < fever ward. Mr March said no reply had been received. The Board instructed the Secretary to again communicate with the Government. The meeting then adjourned.