HOSPITAL BOARD.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 10443, 24 April 1912, Page 3

HOSPITAL BOARD.

TO-DAY'S MEETING. Tho North Canterbury Hospital and Charitable Aid Board mot this morning; present—Messrs F. Horrell (chairman), T. I). Bong, H. B. Borensen, G. Scott. C. Allison, A. H. Turnbull, P. Moore, D. M'Millan, O. Cook, W W. Tanner, (). Bradley. J. Davison, Mesdames Elisor and Wilson. FIN A NCE COMMITTEE.

The Finance Committee, reported that tho available balance after the closo of tho financial year's operations and the collection of outstanding contributions and subsidy would enable tho Board to commence the new year with a substantial surplus. That was attributable mainly to tho fact that the votes for the administration block and other proposed extensions of the Hospital had not been spent. The committeo had gone very closely into the new year's requirements with a view to lessoning the demand 011 the ratepayers, and still effecting such improvements as were deemed to bo of the greatest importance. for tho present. The estimates showed that a total requisition ol £52,289, as against £s<3,(i(>9 last year, might enablo the administration building? and an isolation ward to be proceeded with, on approved plans, besides providing for water-power at Tuarangi, which it was estimated will effect a very considerable saving in the future. The committee recommended, tho following alterations to salaries: —Matron, £200; assistant matron, £9O; Home sister, £BS; theatre sister, £5 bonus after completion of twelve months' service in that capacity; night sister (permanent), £9O and £5 per annum extra up" to £100; Bottle Lake sister, £BS; Sanatorium (present) sister, £9O; ward sisters, first year £7O, second year £75, third year £BO, fourth year £BS; charge nurses, £52 for first six months and £GO for second six months; nurses, third year £3O, second year £25, first year £l2; sisters at Woolston and Tuarangi, same as ward sisters; Nurses' Home cook at £7B "after completing twelve months' service; two maids 011 matron's recommendation at 17s (id per week; liall porter, £72; Memorial Home cook, £65, and one housemaid (on the matron's recommendation), £52; head gardener. £130: assistant gardener's wages increa'seu by 6d per day and one labourer's by Is; Female Refuge matron £76, assistant £(SO, and provision for an additional help; Orphanage, matron £lO4, and provision for an additional help; office staff—secretary and treasurer £550, assistant clerk £llO, junior assistant clerk and typist £7B. general storekeeper £144, inquiry officer £132, chiof health inspector £2OO. One temporary clerk should ho. replaced by an assistant, and tho question of tho Hospital steward's position should he further considered with a view to an adjustment of the respective duties of steward and storekeeper, and the'clerical side of the work. The committee had relet tho ilottlo Lake land (not required for tho purposes of the institution, and .exterior to the portion fenced off and planted) for one year, and had. sold two more or the building sections on the Twiggerton Estate. Offers for sale of small properties at Oxford and Akaroa were under consideration.

Tho report was adopted. HOSPITAL COMMITTEE. The Hospital Committee reported that, after a completed plan for tho proposed administration block had been forwarded' to Wellington for approval, it was returned with the objection that tho wholo of tho accommodation was not immediately reouired, and asking that the scheme might be recast. As n result, a. conference was held with Dr Frengley, and the reduced plans, showing omissions estimated at '25 per. cent of the cost, were again submitted. These had been approved on the understanding that the total -cost would not exceed £15,000 and conditional on some trifling details which were now being dealt with. Tho question of a new isolation ward had becji discussed concurrently, but a plan submitted to the Department's officials providing for about thirty-two beds was stated to be beyond present requirements and not securing treatment in the best way. Counter proposals were mado " to meet present and future requirements " of an isolation block of two storeys for accommodation of sixteen cases, an observation cottage for four patients, and additional premises involving the removal of Ward 3. A hope was expressed that £20,000 would cover the cost of all and the administration block, but, as that loft only £SOOO for the newer structures, it would require the fullest possible consideration. Further advertisements for a dispenser had been published, and applications were being considered. The Tvaikoura Hospital was practically complete, and stejvs were being taken to acquire the necessary articles for surgical and medical equipment. Tim committee had accepted tho resignation of Dr M'Reddio, who was leaving Akaroa, and his successor, Dr Cantrell. had been appointed to the vacancy. Sister Davies, from Otira, had been appointed matron, and would shortly take up her dulies. I lie following recommendation wns unanimously submitted to the Hoard from the Hospital Committee:— " That in cases where settlers and residents in outlying districts have associated themselves to assist the salary of a resident medical man, tho Board should be recommended to give a grant as subsidy for-one year on such associated hotly _ applying therefor, and on the medical man guaranteeing to attend such destitute persons in the district as the Board may direct: that granted, £7~> and Cheviot £of). The report was adopted.