PATEA

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 80, Issue 87, 14 April 1937, Page 3

PATEA

PATEA HOSPITAL BOARD “This is just another way of putting us off,” said the chairman (Mr. C. R. Honeyfield) at the Patea Hospital Board’s meeting yesterday, on receipt of a letter from the secretary of the Nurses’ and Midwives’ Registration Board, stating that the question of training pupil nurses at the Patea Hospital was considered at a meeting of the board last week when it was decided that at the end of this year the board would be prepared to consider the question of granting approval of the Patea Hospital as a “B” grade training school providing the following requirements were complied with: (1) In order to increase the supervision of pupil nurses, the staff as a minimum should be increased, to consist of a matron, three sisters and three staff nurses, or as an alternative, a matron, four sisters and two staff nurses; (2) the standard of the nursing technique to be such as. to satisfy the board’s inspector; (3) a day off a week to be arranged tor all the nursing staff. The period of training to be undergone at Patea would be two years, counting as one year and three months. Dr. Simmons stated that it was not fair that trainees should have to undergo two years’ training and only be credited with fifteen months. Under these conditions the board would be unable to get trainees, and he recommended the board to object. Signifying their intention to support the board in their endeavour to reinstate the hospital as a training centre, the secretary of the Waverley branch of the N.Z. Farmers’ Union wrote that the present position in regard to nurses at the Patea Hospital was untenable.

The board expressed thanks to the union, advising them, they were doing all they could to have the hospital reinstated, and that the present position was unworkable. It was left to the chairman and secretary to arrange salaries and advertise for nurses. Mr. Middleton moved a vote of thanks to the chairman for attending the hospital boards’ annual conference.

The board agreed to co-operate with the Hawera Hospital Board in the matter of having probationers, when called, examined by the hospital doctor nearest to their residence and a medical certificate obtained from him, the Hawera board having become concerned with the number of probationers called for training who had failed to pass the hospital medical examination.

Ministerial approval was given the board borrowing by way of bank overdraft the sum of £lOOO. The sum of £2 2s was voted the King George V. National Memorial Fund to form permanent children's health camps. Miss A. Harris, matron, reported that staff nurses Sneddon and Lee and Misses Walker and Rutherford, hospital aids, had handed in their resignations, the three latter having been called up for further training. Miss Stella Drayton commenced duties as hospital aid on March 20. Dr. W. T. Simmons, medical superintendent, reported that there were 30 patients in the hospital on March 1, 42 were admitted during the month, 51 were discharged and there remained 12 male and nine lemale patients on March 31.

Those present at the meeting were Messrs. C. R. Honeyfield (chairman), W. H. Watkins, C. Campbell, W. Back, F. Naismith, J. Lupton, H. Middleton, A. J. Gibbs, and R. J. Watt. PATEA BAND The Patea Band, with its recent success at Waitara and its good work for the community generally, has earned the thanks of the people of Patea, who do not forget that the organisation is entirely voluntary. When required at any sports meeting, entertainment or demonstration the band never fails to attend and the fact that it has reached such a high standard of musical performance is a credit to the conductor, Mr. K. Christiansen. BOROUGH COUNCIL AH interested parties are to be asked to attend a public meeting next Monday to make suitable arrangements for celebrating Coronation Day in Patea, the Patea Borough Council, at its meeting on Monday evening, approving the suggestions forwarded by the acting-Prime Minister, Hon. P. Fraser. The Mayor suggested that an address be delivered in the Town Hall at 10 a.m., and that a strong committee co-operate with the band, who have done yeoman service in the last year, and form a procession with decorated vehicles, followed by a sports meeting in the Domain. Electric decorations were left in the hands of the engineer. The medical officer of health asked that the council give further consideration to the supply of milk to school children, it being the Government’s policy to supply milk that was pasteurised or T.B. tested. Cr. Langslow said it was ridiculous to say no children in Taranaki needed milk. Just as many there needed it as elsewhere. The Mayor said there would be no difficulty in getting the supply from a factory if it just meant bringing in a can of milk, but having to be put in bottles and cartons would mean extra cost. Approximately 100 gallons a day would be needed in Patea. It was decided to convene a public meeting of parents in order to obtain their opinions. Cr. Naismith stated that he understood that there were not enough pipes for the drain on the Patea Golf Club property. “The amount agreed to by the council was £Bl, and the pipes were only to be ordered when the Golf Club gave an agreement absolving the council from further liability for maintenance,” stated the town clerk. Already accounts for over £9O had been received, which he would not pass until the had consulted the Golf Club. Approval was given to the hours for stock on the Patea Bridge, as submitted by the Patea County Council, these hours allowing time for catching trains and children crossing the bridge to school. Suitable signs will be erected for stock drovers, who will soon become conversant with the hours.

The Harbour Board is to be asked to replace the guide railing on the bridge that was taken down to build the groyne, drovers experiencing difficulty with stock. Mr A. Edser's valuation of 15 on iittings left in his shop was accepted. The Patea Plunket Society thanked the council for its donation. Mr J. A. Haswell was appointed assessor for Government valuations, subject to his acceptance. The private secretary to His Majesty the King, thanked the council for its message of loyalty. The health inspector forwarded his quarterly report and annual report. The Mayor reported on the conference at Timaru, which he and the town clerk attended. Two remits submitted by the council had received support, and a remit had been passed that boroughs and cities be exempt from the local body amalgamation scheme. Mr J. Jackson’s offer to purchase sections in Egmont Srteet next to the lire brigade station, was rejected by council considering the sections to be of higher value than the offer. Permission was granted Mr J. W. Feild to instal a drinking fountain on his property. Full authority was given the engineer to prosecute offenders ridtng bicycles on footpaths. The use of tables from the Town Hail was granted Mr Kettles, subject to Mrs Haddow's approval. Mr McKenna asked if the rubbish tip on the cliffs was safe for the council’s employees since the accident which recently occurred. The town clerk stated that the accident had not occurred at the tip but some yards away, the tip being quite safe. Streets Supervisor’s Report. Cr. F. Naismith, streets supervisor, reported that the following work had been carried out for the month of Mareh: “A concrete sump had been

built in the storm-water drain leading to the swamp in the Domain, and a concrete crossing has been erected in front of the Catholic Church. Thirtyeight yards of pit metal have been laid on Egmont Street South, and 8 yards on Leicester Street, also 8 yards on Cambridge Street, and 6 yards In Norfolk Street. Eight yards of clay were used in patching the Beach Road and 20 yards in patching potholes in Derby Street. Devon Street was water-tabled between Norfolk Street and Bedford Street. The Queen Mary Reserve has been levelled and sown with chewing fescue and brown top. Assistance has been given the engineer in laying underground cable across Portland Quay, and in reparing water mains. The tar sealing work on No. 2 Main Highway has been finished as far as the material available would allow. Drain pipes have been carted to the Domain drain and several loads of rubbish from the Town Hall. Spoil has also been carted from various streets. Rubbish, main streets and sumps have received attention throughout the month. Work for present month: Carting pit metal and chipping footpaths.” Cr. Bromiley congratulated the streets supervisor on the Devon Street work, and suggested the filling in of this street, between Bedford Street and Cambridge Street be widened, it being dangerous to pedestrians at present. Cr. Naismith moved that consideration be given to a better fence at the Queen Mary Reserve. Something per-, manent and attractive, similar to the’ fence in front of the Town Hall was wanted. It was time the council gave consideration towards the beautifying of the town, and it would give the womenfolk an incentive with their work. The engineer is to submit plans and prices for a fence in brick or concrete. Arising out of the electrical engineer’s report, it was decided to purchase an earth-testing set as advised

by the Public Works Department. Those present were councillors F. Ramsbottom (Mayor). F. McKenna, J. Bromiley, F. Naismith, A. H. Langslow, W. L. Austin (town clerk), and Mr J. O. Cunningham (engineer). Cr. Roots sent an apology for non-attend-ance.