CHRISTCHURCH HOSPITAL BOARD.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 4855, 22 January 1894, Page 3

CHRIST CHURCH HOSPITAL BOARD.

I • The Nurses' Home. A meeting of the Christchurch Hospital Board was held this afternoon ; present — 1 Messrs W. Moor (Chairman), R. Hamilton, H. W. Peryman, W. Dunlop, R. Parish, W. Langdown, W. Widdowson, C. M. Gray, R. H. Wood and W. Mulcock. Messrs J. Rennie and W. Boag were granted leave of absence. Mr Wood said that Mr Gray had asserted that he had been told that he (Mr Wood) ! had surreptitiously suppressed certain letters belonging to the Board. This he emphatically denied; the only letter he I had kept more than one day being one I from the Hon W. P. Reeves about the Nurses' Home, and he denied having kept this an nndue length of time. Mr Gray made an explanation, after hearing which Mr Wood expressed himself as satisfied on that head ; and his explanations, were borne out by other members. The letter referred to stated that the Government was prepared to give a grant of JSSOO towards the Nurseß' Home, providing the Board secured the .£IOOO voluntary subscriptions promised, and that it be built upon the lawn site approved by the Government. Mr Wood's connection with" this letter waß deemed perfectly satisfactory, he having handed it over to the chairman as soon as possible. Mr Dunlop moved a resolution, of which he had given notice, rescinding the motion of the Board fixing upon the lawn site, and spoke strongly in favour of the Lincoln Road site, on the score of expense, health, and for other reasons already set forth. Mr Peryman also argued for the Lincoln Road site, saying that the garden site would mean the extra expenditure of <£500 on foundations alone. He deprecated the utterances of the public papers upon the merits or demerits of the site, because the editors could not know as much about it as the members of the Board. Mr Parish said all practical authorities agreed upon the garden site, and the doctors believed that it was more healthy. The dust on the Lincoln Road waß worse than the alleged dampness of the lawn site, and if a high fence was erected, it would make the place like a prison. Mr Wood said he felt it to be almost useless to protest against the resolution. He traversed the arguments advanced by those in favour of the garden site, and against the Lincoln road site. The foundations would, according to expert evidence, only cost .£250, so how could those on the garden-site cost £500 more than those on the Lincoln road ? The one site was only four inches lower than the other, and if the garden-site was raised 3ft, it would give ample fall for the drainage. He maintained that the relative heights were only 4in in difference. The expert evidence was all in favour of the garden site. However, Mr Reeves had told him distinctly that the use of the lawn site was a condition to the granting of the £500. Other members having spoken, the motion was put and carried, the voting being — For: Messrs Peryman, Widdowson, Dunlop, Hamilton, Gray, and Langdown ; against : Messrs Parish, Wood, and Mulcock. Mr Dunlop then moved— "That every resolution carried by the Board in reference to the lower site be rescinded, including the plans already adopted." This was seconded by Mr Widdowson, who said that probably the plans could be adapted to the upper site. They were excellent plans, and had been approved by the Drainage Board. Mr Wood said Mr Maddison's plans were truly excellent, and should not be discarded. He saw no necessity for that part of the motion, especially bb the Board was bound in faith to the planß. Mr Gray would pass the resolution, and call for competitive designs. The- discussion became general, and upon being put there voted for the resolution Messrs Dunlop, Widdowson, Gray and Langdown, and against it Messrs Peryman, Mulcock, Parish and Wood. The Chairman gave his casting vote for the motion and declared it carried. Mr Dunlop then moved, pursuant to notice — "That the Lincoln Road site be adopted for the nurses' home by the Board, and that steps be taken immediately to put this resolution into effect." The motion was seconded by Mr Widdowßon, supported by Mr Peryman, and carried. Mr Peryman moved— "That the plans prepared by Mr Maddison for the Nurseß' Home, be accepted, and that he be authorised to complete the same with the necessary alterations, and that he call for tenders as soon as possible." This was seconded by Mr Mulcock. Mr Wood suggested that a small subcommittee should confer with Mr Maddison with respect to the alterations. He would also suggest that tenders for material only be called, and that a clerk of works be employed to supervise the job. Mr Peryman struck out the reference tc tendering in his motion. Mr Wood then moved— "That theHoust Committee be instructed to confer wit! Mr Madidson with reference to the alter* tion of plans to suit the new site." Mr Gray moved an amendment to cal for competitive designs. He eaid thai some of the public toad stigmatised th« Eoard's action as a hole-and-corner bußi ness. Mr Widdowson agreed with the prin ciple of Mr Gray's amendment, but con sidered that the Board was bound to M ' Maddison.

Mr Dunlop concurred. He would, however, have the home erected by contract, .toot by day work. Mr Wood's resolution waß carried, Mr Gray recording his protest against the procedure. ORDINARY BUSINEBS. The Houso Committee had but little to report. Mr Calder's tender for the erection of the main porch had been accepted. By the courtesy of the manager of the Islington Freezing Works, the committee bad been enabled to ascertain particulars with reference to . the installation of the electric light throughout the institution. A letter had been drafted to the makers of the machine, giving all information as to available steam power, &c. The entire cost of plant landed, including engine, and dynamo with all accessories neceseary for lighting, would not exceed .£3OO. The receipts for December were— Akaroa County, .£2O 6s 7d ; patients' fees, .£55 6s. The expenditure was «£722 2s 2d as per details attached. During the month 78 patientß were admitted, 65 discharged, 10 died, leaving 80 remaining in the hospital. Since this report was framed the following amounts have come to hand : — St Albans, JGI3 153 ; Sydenham, 83 3d ; Linwooi, .£26 Is; Mandeville and Bangiora, .£65 18s 4d 5 , Selwyn County, .£369. The report was adopted. The Sydepham Borough Council having asked for information with respect to patients admitted from Sydenham, the secretary was instructed to supply it at once. The Board then adjourned to Jan. 31, when the House Committee would report.