HOSPITAL AND CHARITABLE AID BOARD.

Western Star, Issue 997, 7 November 1885, Page 2

HOSPITAL AND CHARITABLE AID BOARD.

(From the " News.”) The first meeting of the Board constituted under the Hospitals and Charitable Aid Act passed last session was held in the Council Hall, Invercargill, on Thursday. Present: Messrs Johnston, South Invercargill; Basstian, Wallace County; Ale William, Winton ; J. G. Ward, Bluff; Waterson, Gladstone; Dunlop and I Luisr, Southland County; J. H. Thomas, North Invercargill; Reid, Q,ue. nstown ; W. Heller, Arrow ; Boyes, Lake County ; Nichoj, Aveual; and Dr Hodgkinson, Riverton-.

Mr N, Johnston, who had been ap-' pointed to preside over the first meeting, in opening the proceedings, said that a secretary would be wan'eel to take a note of the business. He suggested that the Mayor might permit the Town Clerk to act on that occasion. (The Mayor was present, and allowed Mr Scandrett to act as requested). The chairman said that after appointing a permanent chairman, it might be advisable for the Board to go into Committee in order fo fully discuss the various clauses of the Act. He believed that the managing bodies of the local charitable institutions intended to continue as they had done in the past. The statutory date up to which such nolifications could be received was the Ist December, and he believed that by that time notices would be to hand from the various committees to the effect that they intended to continue the work they had done so well heretofore. When charitable institutions were constituted and carried on separately from the Board, the Act provided that they should, on the last day of March, send in an estimate of the amounts required by them from the Board, which then proceed to collect the necessary funds from the County Councils and Boroughs in the district by means of a rate under the Rating Act of 1876. He thought it was a matter for congratulation that so many members bad attended the first meeting of the Board.

Telegrams o£ apology for non-at-tendance were received from Messrs J. T. Martin and J. W. Bain. Letters were read from the Secretaries of the Wallace and Southland Hospital Committees intimating that those bodies intended to apply to have the institutions under their charge incorporated as separate institutions. The Government forwarded a communication, exp’aining that there were three classes of Boards to be formed under the Act —Hospital and Charitable Aid Boards, Hospital Boards, and Charitable Aid Boards.

For the office of permanent chairman Messrs Bain and Martin were nominated, and on a show of hands being taken, the first-named gentleman was declared elected by seven to five. Mr Basstian called attention to the fact that no provision was made in the Act for the payment of country members’ travelling expenses. On the motion of Mr Haast, the Board went into Committee to consider the most important clauses of the Act. It was decided to telegraph to the Premier as to country members’ travelling expenses ; and to appoint the Colonial Bank as the bank of the Board.'

The Board then adjourned till the evening, and on resuming Mr Bain was present, and his election to the position of Chairman was intimated to him, upon which he returned thanks. A telegram was read from Mr Stout intimating that no provision had been made for payment of members’ travelling expenses, and after some discussion it was decided that same be paid by the Board. It was decided to call for applications for the office of secretary, to the Board, Mr Wm. Pettigrew being appointed to act pro fern.