HOSPITAL BOARD.

Waikato Times, Volume 98, Issue 15310, 10 August 1923, Page 6

HOSPITAL BOARD.

MONTHLY MEETING

The monthly -meeting 1 of the Waikato Hospital Board, held In Hamilton yesterday, was attended by Messrs J. ,T. Ryburn, A. E. Webb, A. G. Dent, J. Leo, T. Hinf.on. J. Price, A. A. Wagstaff, and W. Hill. In the absence of the chairman (Mr J. P. Bailey), in Wellington, Mr Ryburn was appointed to the position. Scale of Subsidies. The Hawcra Board wrote advocating that another effort should be made to induce the Government to provide a mere equitable scale of subsidies for hospital maintenance. The secretary detailed a recent deputation to the Prime Minister which had asked for an alteration in the present scale of subsidies, and legislation covering the matter was forecasted. Combatting Venereal Disease. The North Canterbury Hospital Board wrote asking support urging upon the Government to introduce legislation along the lines suggested by the committee set up and which had enquired into the question of venereal disease.

It was pointed out that the Board was giving every support to the proposals outlined. The Use of Radium.

The North Canterbury Board forwarded a .report by the honorary staff of the Christchurch Hospital with reference to the establishment of either one central radium department for New Zealand or separate establishments for each of the large oentres. A special committee had been set up and information was being obtained from England on the subject, and when it was obtained the Board would be further communicated with. The clerk said that Dunedin was the only radium centre at present. The chairman said action would be taken by the prominent boards at the required period, and the communication was received.

Whangape's Medical Needs. The secretary Whangape Settlers' Association wrote asking for information concerning the appointment of a district nurse for that area. The secretary was authorised to supply the details. A Decision Supported. The branch secretary advised that at a •meeting on July 25 of the Ngatea Central and District Committee, which was the representative body of butter suppliers on the Hauraki Plains, attached to the Ngatea factory, a motion was carried conveying to the Board the thanks of the committee for the Board's recent action in upholding the co-operative company against the private company. The communication was received by the Board.

Levies and Reports. The treasurer reported that receipts for the month were' £1496 19s iOd and the debit of the general fund was £1469 9s lid. The chairman, in referring to the limited number of local authorities who had paid their first quarter's instalment, pointed out that promptness payments should be impressed upon the defaulters. The Board required the money to conduct its business. Mr Webb advocated that the treasurer's report and all other reports should be made available to members so that they could examine them and retain them for reference. The speaker also exhorted expedition in the conduct of the business of meeting which, he maintained, could be conducted in a third less time than at present, and the early reception of reports would expedite matters to that end. Mr Price also agreed that the treasurer's report should be laid before each member. It could go on the table with the agenda paper. Mr Hill, in asking that Rotorua be at present excluded from the decision of prompt payment of levies, pointed out that the borough was a new one and was awaiting movement by the Assessment Court before it could strike ' Mr ilinton maintained that the other local bodies were also in the position of being unable to And the money. Mr Price maintained that Rotorua should not be specially treated. They should secure an overdraft and meet their levies. Mr Hill said that this could not be done unless the special permission of the Minister of Internal Affairs was obtained. ~ The Board decided to urge the prompt payment of levies, -to exclude Rtorua temporarily, and to place all reports before members.