WANGANUI HOSPITAL BOARD

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXVI, Issue 18259, 18 August 1921, Page 4

WANGANUI HOSPITAL BOARD

A meeting of the Wanganui Hospital Board was held yesterday. Mr. B. P. Lethbridge presided. A lengthy report on the Taihape Hospital was submitted by an inspecting house steward. The report generally showed a lack of funds being spent on necessary improvements, and these included provision for storage of requisites. At the present time goods were stored all over the place, and no proper check could be kept on them. At the time of the visit the fowls were at large and perching on the doorsteps of the institution. The sink in the kitchen was in a dirty condition, and this department required repainting. The chairman said the Board should evidently hold one of its monthly' meetings up there. Mr. Fletcher said the Government Ministers were preaching economy, and this was one of the results; and on the other hand understrappers in some of the Departments were spending money. Mr. Aldridge, the Taihape member said the staff at the hospital had been caught on the hop, when certain alterations were being made. The cook had left, and a male substitute happened to be in the kitchen at the time of the visit. The report was received. It was decided to refer the matter of having the office staff stationed at the Hospital to the executive, with power to act, provided the cost did not exceed £2OO. Mr. Fletcher, who moved the resolution, said it was only by a fluke in the first instance that the offices were on their present site. It had been decided to have them at the Hospital, and then a notice of motion was moved and carried by a majority of one altering the location. The members had changed their minds. A member; “Like the Borough councillors.” Mr. Fletcher: ‘‘They have no minds.” (Laughter). Mr. Fletcher, continuing, said he believed the offices could be established at the Hospital at little expense. He was opposed to erecting elaborate buildings. He considered that by having the staff on the spot it would materially benefit tht Board. It was decided not to support a suggestion from the Hawera Hospital Board that travelling expenses should be increased. The usual hospital reports were read and adopted.