CHARLESTON HOSPITAL MEETING.

Westport Times, Volume II, Issue 289, 4 July 1868, Page 3

CHARLESTON HOSPITAL MEETING.

A public meeting of the subscribers to the' Charleston Hospital was held in the Melbourne Hotel, on Wednesday evening, for the purpose of receiving the report from the retiring committee for the first half-year, and electing a new committee.

Mr Charles Gasqoine having been voted to the chair, called upon the secretary-, Mr Bain, to read the report as subjoined.

BEPOKT OF THE CHARLESTON HOBPITAL COMMITTEE FOE, SIX MONTHS ENDING

30th june 186S

I. " The Committee of management beg to present to the Subscribers of the Charleston Hospital, their report for the past six month*, first premising that some of the "members have held office longer than the period named, owing to the general public meeting of subscribers advertised for 31st December last, having lapsed through want of attendance.

11. "In the report proposed for that occasion, and afterwards published, it •] was stated, that the number of patients admitted from the opening of the hospital on Ist September to 31st December, was 39, of whom 27 had been discharged cured,; 4 removed to Nelson, and one died, the remainder (7) continuing in hospital. It also stated, that the sum total of cash received was £987, made up of £253 2s 2d, subscriptions, £267 Is 4d, net proceeds of various entertainments, £1616s 6d board money'from patients, and £450 from government, and the total expenditure was £B9O 15s 2d, ; Wng £351 17s 4d cost of buildings, £264 0 4d furniture, appliances &c. and £274 17s 6d for salaries and maintenance, leaving a balance ef £96 4s lOd out of which had to be paid the December accounts.

HI. " The amount of cash received during the past six months, including the above balance brought forward is £796 04d namely, £l4l 6s contributions from the public; £SB 9s 6d siett proceeds of entertainments, and £SOO from government. The expenditure, including payment of the December accounts, amounts to £764 9s 5d which includes a remittance of £ls to Melbourne-for the purchase of drugs not yet received, leaving a balance in the bank at this date of £3l 10s lid; in addition to which there is ffia amount due from the government in the way of subsidy of £364 Bs. IV. " The number of patients admitted during the past six months is 44, making with the seven already in on 31st December., 51, of which number 26 had been discharged, 4 left without leave, 3 removed to Nelson, 5 died, 5 made outdoor patients, leaving Bat present in the ward. V. "Dr M'Mullen, who succeeded Dr Morton as medical officer was dismissed on the 4th of February, his place being temporarily taken by Dr Bennett. In reply to a call for applications only one was received, than of Dr Bennett, and he was engaged for one month. A correspondence however was opened with Doctors Cusack and Irvine, of Nelson, and the latter gentleman very kindly took considerable pains to find out and secure what the Committee felt to be absolutely essential to the good working of the institution—a thoroughly competent and trustworthy medical officer.—Two persons were named as likely to suit, but while the correspondence was on, a third gentleman, Dr Dakers, arrived in Charleston, bringing a letter of introduction from Dr Irvine, and his testimonials and qualifications being considered satisfactory the Committee entered into an engagement with him, under which he took office on the Ist of June, at a salary of £250 per annum. VI. *' Two changes have been made of warders. In consequence of the resignation of the first warder, Mr Quinlan, applications for the vacancy were advertised for, and received, and after due consideration that of E. B. Stewart accepted, at a salary of £3 10s. per week, for himself and wife. He, commenced work on the Ist March | and performed his duties admirably l up to the 27th May, when the Committee had to discharge him, and the present warder, J. A. Bichardson, was elected to fill the vacancy. VII. "On the 16th May the Committee remitted £ls. to Mr E. M. Keogh, Melbourne, for the purchase of drugs.

VIII. " The Committee are happy to report that the hospital is now in good working order, and they have reason to be satisfied with the efficient manner in which the Medical officer and warder perform their respective duties. One or two improvements however, which have recently been suggested, might be adopted with advantage. The present position of the bath for instance, is found to be inconven-

iently distant from the 'Ward, and it would be better were it placed in a small lean-to or building adjoining the back of the ward, to be used as a general lavatory. A dispensary also will be required, when the drugs arrive from Melbourne. It would be a great improvement to fence in the hospital grounds, for at present the grounds are over-run by animals, particularly pigs, who prowl round the buildings in scores, and are are a perfect nuisance.

IX. " These matters are mentioned for the consideration of the new committee. But a much more important subject is the question of funds. It will be seen by the Treasurer's statement that the balance of cash in hand is £3l 10s lid, in addition to which there is the sum, already mentioned, of £364 Bs. remaining due from the G-o----vernment, and this ia all at present that the hospital has to depend.upon. More than twelve months have elapsed since the first general public subscription was set on foot for the creation of the institution, and, putting aside the proceeds derived for entertainments, only small and partial subscriptions have been received in the interval. The business of getting in the second year's subscription was begun a week or two ago, but not carried far, it being deemed advisable to wait until after the presentation of the half-yearly repott, when the work would be more advantageously undertaken by a new committee with the full sanction, and powerful stimulus of a public meeting.

X. '' The Committee have to state that Mr A. B. Bain Secretary, and Mr Chas. G-asqouine, Hon. Treasurer, have placed their resignations in the hands of the Committee, and only hold office until fresh appointments are made by the new Committee.

XI. " In conclusion, the Committee consider that an expression of thanks is due to the gentlemen who have, at various times, so materially assisted the funds of the institution by means of entertainments, the proceeds . from this source being actually greater than the amount of subscriptions. The Committee have no fear with regard to the future. The hospital has proved itself to be too valuable an institution to be allowed to languish for the want of that support, which the people of Charleston have always shown their readiness to accord, and the Committee are satisfied that when appealed to by the voice of a public meeting, they will give with their usual liberality. The following gentlemen form the Committee who mowretire:—G-. W. W. I/ightband, Chairman ; Chas* Grasqoine Hon. Treasurer; A. B. Bain, Secretary; P. Allen, M'Coy, H. Kennedy, -^-Alexander."

Gr. W. W. Ltghtbajst), Chairman,

A. Brxce Baik, Secretary. Charleston, June 30th 1868.

This having been done, it was moved by Mr Hennelly, seconded by Mr Dwan, and carried netn. con. — ■" That the report and treasurer's statement be adopted, and that a vote of thanks be given to the retiring committee for their able and zealous management of the affairs of the Hospital." Mr Lightband, as the representative of the G-overnment, spoke in high terms of the efficient and harmonious working of the late committee, as witnessed by him during the time he had officiated as their chairman. He concluded by observing there was a doctor's report which had not been read.

Mr Bain said he bad not it by him at the moment, but the substance of it was embodied in the committee's report, and the Doctor was himself present to make any remarks. Dr. Dakers observed that his report merely gave a list of the patients treated during the past month, as he had only been that time in office. He observed further that he thought the accommodation of the hospital should be enlarged, there being only room for ten or twelve beds at a pinch ; and in the event of a sickly season coming on this would not be sufficient.

The chairman then suggested that the nomination and election of the fresh committee be proceeded with. Mr Bain remarked that though the present number of the committee was nine, it was competent for the meeting to increase that number, and he suggested the advisability of so doing, and electing a few miners to represent the terraces, &c. These country members might be excused from the, weekly meetings yet be quite able to attend the first meeting of every month, when the most important business, such as passing the accounts, &c, was transacted.

Mr Cullen enlarged upon this, and moved—" That the number of the committee be increased to 13 ;" seconded by Mr Hunter.

Mr M'Coy proposed—" That the number be 16—8 country and 8 town members," but no one seconded the proposition:

Mr Dwan referred to the number 9 as one which had-been generally chosen as a very suitable one by municipal councils and other bodies. He 'did! not wish to exclude the miners, but on the. contrary would be very happy to' see that class well represented on the committee, at the same time he thought the. number named would be found sufficient for all purposes. He proposed as an amendment—"That the present number be retained," which was seconded by Mr Hennelly. On. being put to the meeting the original motion was declared carried.

Mr M'Coy wished to know whether all those who voted were subscribers. . Mr Dwan observed that the chairman had said in his opening remarks that those only were qualified to vote who were subscribers, and that any one could then qualify himself by paying the subscription. He begged to qualify himself by handing a one pound! uote to the chairman, and would have subscribed before had he been called upon; at the same time he wished to know whether the committee themselves were subscribers, otherwise their acts would be illegal. Mr Bain explained that the first year's subscription had just run out, and referred to the paragraph in the report which mentioned that the second years' subscription had not yet been collected; several persons, however, had subscribed within the past six months, including some of the new members of the late committee. He proposed that those who wished to pay their second year's subscription do so at once.

The following gentlemen did so :-*- Mr Dwan, £1 ; Mr Hunter, £1 ■ Mr Bain, £1; Mr Calland, £1 Is.

Mr Drury asked whether the placing money in the hospital donation-box in the Court-eouse, constituted one a subscriber. Mr Alexander observed that he did not think a man who was compelled by the magistrate to put money into the hospital box, by way of fine or penalty, should be entitled to be considered a subscriber.

Mr Drury did not allude to fines. The reason for his asking the question was that when the box was first placed in court both he and Mr Davis put each a pound note into it. Mr Kennedy remarked that the committee books only showed the names of those who had subscribed since the hospital opened in September. Previous to that date there were no: regular books, the original subscriptions having been accounted for by the treasurer at the time. He, as well as some others in the room, had subscribed five guineas at starting. The chairman said no one doubted Mr Drury's statement, and it would be sufficient if persons voting gave their word as to having subscribed. The following gentlemen were then nominated on the committee:—Messrs G-asqoine, Alexander, M'Carthy, Allen, Bain, Cullen, Neale, Dwan, Masters, Hennelly, Bussell, Hunter, Connolly, Steele, Grreenwood,M'Coy, Macdonnell, Behan, Gi-alland, Beveridge. Captain Beveridge proposed, and Mr Hunter seconded—"That the voting be by ballot."—This was carried. An amendment by Mr Bussell, for open voting, was negatived. Dr Dakers and Mr Drury having been appointed scrutineers, handed in the returns to the chairman, the latter declared the following gentlemen to be duly elected as a new committee according to the returns of votes : G-asqoine ... ... 18 Bain 16 ]S r eale 16 M'Coy .... ... 14 Behan ... ... 14 Alexander 13 M'Carthy 12 Masters ... ... 12 Connolly ... ... 12 Dwan ... ... 11 Hennelly ... ... 11 Mr Masters moved—"That the report, treasurer's statement, and surgeon's report, be advertised in the local papers." Seconded by Mr Dwan, and carried. After a vote of thanks to the cha : r, the meeting separated.