HOSPITAL COMMITTEE MEETING.

Westport Times, Volume III, Issue 343, 5 September 1868, Page 7

HOSPITAL COMMITTEE MEETING.

An adjourned meeting of the Hospital Committee was held onWedneday afternoon at 5 o'clock, at the Court House, for the purpose of considering and ordering on tenders for the erection of the new hospital. There were present Dr Giles, chairman, Messrs Tyler, O'Conor, M'Farland, Bailie, Powell, Smytb, and Munro> (bon. sec.) After the minutes of the last meeting had been read and confirmed tenders were opened as follows : I Prom Bull and Bond, who required an extension of time, as much of the material would have to be obtained from over the water. £520. Prom G. Somner who undertook to perform the work within the specified time, and to furnish frame, floor, lining, and rough boards of Kauri pine. £197. Prom S. Turner, who also agreed to all the conditions as per specification. £lB5. Prom C. D. Berry, who undertook to do the work within a reasonable, time. £IBO. The Chairman remarked that tbe whole of the tenders were beyond the estimate, but after some quiet discussion, it was resolved to accept one of them, and proceed with the erection of the building without further delay. Another discussion on the various

tenders then arose in which the merits of the whole were fully discussed. ft appeared that Mr Somuer's tender only, undertook to provide for shelving as required by the specification for the shelving at the following rates : —l2 in. Is per foot; 9 inch, 10d per foot; 6 inch, 8d per foot. Before anything further was done, Mr Munro enquired as to the funds of the institution. It appeared that the first deposit to the credit of the committee was £3SS 17s. 6d. which had been swelled up to £137 19s. Thus the Government grant in aid would bring it up to £ L.'HG, besides other monies that would come in during the current year, it was remarked that the committee did not build a hospital every year, and that some portion of this amount would be fairly chargeable on the next or ensuing years. It was ultimately resolved to proceed with the tenders.

Mr Smyth moved, and Mr M'Earland seconded—That the tender of Geo. Somner should be accepted. A further discussion took place on this, but eventually the resolution was carried unanimously. Mr Powel', as one of the visiting cummittee, reported that there had been three discharged during the last month, one admitted, and seven remaining in hospital. In answer to an enquiry, Mr Powell said that he knew of no patient paying for his maintenance. Some other unimportant business was done, after which the meeting separated.