MASTERTON HOSPITAL TRUSTEES.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXI, Issue 9171, 20 August 1908, Page 6

MASTERTON HOSPITAL TRUSTEES.

MONTHLY MEETING. The monthly meeting of the Trustees of Masterton Hospital was held yesterday afternoon. There were present:—Messrs J. B. Keith (chairman), J. C. Ewington, W. Fisher, H. J. O'Leary, W. Harris, M. J. Jackson and F. W. Kummer. The Treasurer reported as follows: —Balance at last meeting, £ll 10s 4d; receipts since, £271 19s lOd; expenditure, £2Bl 13s 3d; balance at date £1 16s lid. The Hospital diary was read and showed that there were twentyeight patients in the institution at last meeting, twenty-nine have been admitted since, and thirty-two discharged, leaving twenty-five remaining. A sub-committee reported as follows:—With the concurrence of the District Hospital Board, it has been arranged to purchase for £25 the outbuilding at tha old hospital known as the laundry, and the wardsman's quarters; they will be removed and fitted up at a cost of £8 10s. An order has been given for twenty-six Lawson-Tait hospital spring beds. The report was adopted.

In the absence from the meeting of Mr R. Brown a motion standing in his name, that the meeting of the Trustees be held at a more convenient place than the hospital during the winter months was moved instead by Mr Fisher.—The motion was carried unanimously. The Gas Department of the Borough Council wrote notifying that the Gas Committee had authorised a reduction in the price of gas to 6s 8d per thousend c.f. nett for all gas supplied through one meter for combined lighting and heating. If arrangements were made for separate meter supply for cooking, the prices for gas would be 7s Id for lighting, and 6s 3d for cooking and heating, as against the present charge of 6s 8d per thousand c.f. all round. — No action was taken in regard to the matter. The Acting-Borough Engineer wrote stating that he was confident the hospital water-meter was regulating correctly, and that no pipes were leaking. A letter was read from the Secretary of the Wairarapa District Hospital Board to the effect that it would be prepared to pay the Masterton Hospital's contribution in the course of a day or two. Trie request to make arrangements to enable the Trustees to negotiate with the bankers for an overdraft of £2OO, would be laid before next meeting of the Board, on the first Wednesday in December. An effort: would be made, howcvir, Lo have the matter dealt with at an earlier date.

A report by Messrs Jenkins and M fck, on the drying-room of the new hospital, was received from Mr J. M. Coradine. It was decided to communicate with the architects, Messrs Crichton and McKay, before taking further action.

The monthly report of the Matron contained a reference to the advisability of installing coka stoves lor laundry purposes in lieu of gas, and the chairman and Messrs Ewington and Harris were appointed a committee to go into the question. On the motion of the Chairman it was resolved that the secretary confer with the doctors and matron in regard to a revision of the hospital "tariff.

Mr Fisher moved that the doctors be recommended not to admit patients to the hospital in minor cases. —The motion was carried. The Chairman and Mr O'Leary were appointed visiting members for the month.