Hospital Board.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 5841, 2 February 1887, Page 3

Hospital Board.

THIS DAY. An ordinary meeting of the NorthCan terbury Hospital Board was held at 1.30 p.m. to-day; present — Messrs W. White (Chairman), W. Moor, W. Dimlop» R. Martinda?e, E. Parish, J. C. Boys, R. Westenra, W. H. Hoaking, and D. M'Millan. AKAROA HOSPITAL. A letter was road from the Chairman of the Akaroa County Council and the Mayor of Akaroa, Btating that their attention had been called to a letter from the Secretary of the Board to Dp Woodforde, from whicb. they learned that instructions had been issued to forward all the patients in the Hospital to Chrietchurch. They begged to protest againßt this " most unjust and cruel" order, stating that Dr Woodforde had informed them that there would be actual danger in one case and great suffering in another iP it were carried out. They did not think that it could legally be done, as the Act of 1883 gave tha Board power to control the Hospital, but not to suppress it. The economical grounds on which the order was urged were, in their opinion, entirely fallacious. They concluded by aaktag tte Board, to re- consider their decision. The Chairman said that the Committee had no intention of closing the Hospital. There were, however, a number of patients in ie who the Committee considered had no right to be there, some of whom would be very much better in the Christchurch. Hospital. Some were Buffering from no other disease than old age. He thought that the House Surgeon of Akaroa Hospital had acted indiscreetly in rushing into print with correspondence addressed to him in his official capacity. There waß no doubt that the cost of maintaining these patients at Akaroa was very much greater than in Christchuroh. It was intended to remove only those patients who could be removed with safety. Of course the certificate of the medical officer would be obtained as to tbe fitness of the patients to be transferred. He might mention that the co3t of some drugs and other things used in the Hospital was very much higher ia Akuroa than ra Christchurch. On the motion of Mr Westenra, seconded by Mr Dunlop, the question was referred to the House Committee with power to act. HOUSE COMMITTEE'S JtEPORT. The following report of the House Committee was read : — ! " The House Committee begs to report that the contract for the erection of the infectious diseases ward is progressing very satisfactorily, and promises to be completed within contract time. The contract for constructing the corridor connecting Nos. 1 and 2 yards with the main building is now nearly completed. This means of communication will bo found of great ad vantage. Your Committee having examined the plans and specifications for the heating and ventilating Nog. 4 and 5 wards, instructed the Architect to call for tenders for carrying out this very necessary work. Your Committee, considering that an effort should be made for collecting amounts due by patients for maintenance, begs to recommend that a collector be appointed for this purpose. During the month 41 patients have been admitted, 46 discharged, 3 hay* died, leaving 62 remaining." The repot t was adopted. FINANCIAL. The Finance Committee reported that during the month the expenditure had been as follows : — Salaries and maintenance Christchurch Hospital, £432 6s 4d; permanent improvements to Christchurch Hospital, .£716 15b ; Akaroa Hospital, £33 Pa lid ; casual ward, £5 18s ; total, £1188 7s Bd. Bank overdraft, £1525 18s fid. The only contribution received was that from Sydenham, £183 14s 4d. The report was adopted, and the Board adjourned.