PATEA

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 74, Issue 243, 14 October 1931, Page 3

PATEA

BOROUGH COUNCIL No unusual business marked the monthly meeting of the Borough Council last Monday evening. Those present were the Mayor (Mr F. Ramsbottom), Councillors C. R. Honeyfield, A. T. Christensen, F. Naismith, G. Pettigrew, T. Scott and C. H. Carey. In connection with the Jubilee celebrations, a deputation of three showmen waited on the council with a request that they could put up their shows during the week. As a resolution had already been passed at a meeting of the Jubilee Committee, it was decided that nothing could be done in the matter, as the committee had moved a resolution against having any sideshows in the wwn. In reference to two circular letters on the question of the Municipal Conference, one letter being from the Rotorua Borough Council, and the second from the Municipal Association, it was agreed to support the holding of the conference next March at Rotorua. On the Girl Guides’ Association applying for the use of the old library building for parades, it was decided to inform them that it was now a private dwelling. The lessee of the Town Hall wrote acknowledging the decision of the council on the question of firemen attending the showing of pictures, and also thanking the council for their unbiased consideration of the question. Following on this, a letter was received from the Fire Brigade stating that it considered that the presence of a fireman at week-day showings was essential. The letter offered the attendance of a fireman free of charge on every night of picture showing. It was decided to point out to the Fire Brigade that that would now entirely have to be settled between the Fire Brigade and the Town Hall lessee. The poundkeepcr, Mr J. Hickey, submitted a report which was received. On application by L. Hepworth, pointing out that he was occupying one of two similar cottages rented by the council, and that one occupied was paying 22s 6d and the other 245, it was decided to make the rents equal. Mr Hepworth was to be informed that his rent would forthwith be 22s 6d, the same as his neighbour’s. Ex-Councilloi‘s Wishes Congratulations and good wishes for its success were received from an exCouncillor, Mr W. K. Howitt, of Auckland, who also expressed his regret at net being able to attend the Borough’s Jubilee. Mr Howitt had been a councillor in the ’nineties, under the mayoralty of the late H. O. Clarke, and Mr J. A. McKenna. The engineer reported that the South Taranaki Power Board had erected the poles and lines for the supply of power to the Patea district as far down as the Manawapou River, and that in another eight weeks the line would be through to the Borough boundary. It was decided, in order not to waste any time, to call a special meeting of the council as soon as word was received from the Loans Board approving of the raising of a loan. Discussion on the finalising and details of the Jubilee celebrations brought the meeting to a close. HOSPITAL BOARD The usual monthly meeting of the Patea Hospital Board was held yesterday, those present being Messrs C. R. Honeyficld (chairman), W. H. Watkins, C. E. Johnston, W. Back, A. T. Christensen, J. Lupton, R. S. Scown and R. J. Watt. Leave of absence was granted to Mr H. Middleton. A telegram was received from Hon. A. J. Stallworthy, ex-Minister of Health, thanking the board for its splendid co-operation. In reply to a letter from the board on the question of the hospital as a training school for nurses, the Nurses’ and Midwives’ Association Registration Board advised this re-grading of the Patea Hospital was due to the board considering that there were not sufficient clinical material at the hospital to provide the necessary experience for pupil nurses. The matter would be reviewed again in six months. Dr W. T. Simmons, the medical superintendent, made a report on the question, stating that he recommended the board to protest again, on the extra cost involved under the re-grading was not justifiable. It would mean one more probationer on the staff, when there was already too many juniors. He considered that there was ample clinical material for training tor a nurse. The nurses were always in contact with all varieties of cases in the hospital, whereas in largo hospitals they remain in one ward perhaps for six months. The difficulty to obtain probationers for smaller hospitals would be increased tremendously, owing to the longer course. The board decided to reply to the board on the lines of the doctor’s report. The matron advised that she had received eight sacks of South Island potatoes from the Patea branch of the Women’s Institute. It was agreed to write to the institute thanking them for their generous gift. The matron reported that three nurses had passed examinations in physiology and anatomy. She suggested that the board support the department’s move to dismiss a probationer after one year if she proved unsuitable. The Medical Superintendent (Dr W. T. Simmons), reported that, since the beginning of the month, when there had been twenty-five patients (11 males and 14 females), there had been eighteen admitted (7 males and 11 1 emales). Nineteen had been discharged and one female patient had died during the month, so that at present there were 23 patients (11 males, 12 females), in the hospital. This showed a decrease of two on last month. Tho report was adopted. At the close of the meeting the Hon. J. A. Young, the newly-appointed Minister of Health, visited the board. The chairman, Mr C. R. Honeyfield, extended him a cordial welcome, also stating that although it was usual when there was a visiting Minister in the town to ask for a subsidy or some ■iclp, the board would refrain this occasion, as it fully realised the present financial conditions. Tho Minister, in replying, stated ~\ncrally, if there were no requests irom a community, it was generally thought there was no want, and there was something wrong with a community where there was no want. But he fully appreciated the board’s withholding any requests. He realised there

was a much heavier burden on the boards these times, with levies from other local bodies so greatly reduced. But he wished to impress tho board with tho fact that troubles were not made to defeat us, but themselves to be defeated. He rt oncluded by thanking the board for their welcome and congratulations on his appointment, and wished them every success in their valuable work to the community.