H.—22a,

11

Mr. Stevenson (Otago Hospital Board) handed in a resolution, "That the principle of charging the land only with rates for charitable aid is inequitable, and such rates should fall equally on all property." The Chairman promised to take a note of this. Remit 164. North Canterbury Hospital Board. —This Board is of opinion that provision should be made whereby employees of the Hospital and Charitable Aid Boards should be allowed to participate in the benefits of the Civil Service Superannuation Scheme. —Carried. Remit 4a. Central Otago, Tuapeka, and Otago United Districts Charitable Aid Board. —That, should any one or two counties desire to form a separate district, the. Governor in Council shall be empowered to grant the same upon receiving a petition bearing the names of one-half of the ratepayers representing two-thirds of the rateable value.—Not adopted. Remit 34a. Wellington Hospital Trustees. —Clause 14. Chairman to be elected on the second Wednesday in May. Subclause 2to be. altered to read "If unable within one month to appoint a Chairman, the Governor to appoint one." —Adopted by Conference. Remit 38a. Wellington Hospital Trustees. —Clause 15. Vacancies on Board or Committee to be filled by Board itself as at present.—Adopted by Conference. Remit 44a. Wellington Hospital Trustees. —Clause 19, subsection (a). Add, "either by proceedings under Public AVorks Act or other methods." —Carried, with the insertion of the words before " either " of the words " or any addition to any site." On the motion of Mr. Tapper (Dunedin Hospital Trustees), a committee was appointed to draw up a motion of the Conference's appreciation of the Chairman. The Inspector-General informed the Conference that the suggestions contained in remits 164 d and 164e had already been carried out by the Government as regards police cases and drunkards in hospitals. Motion No. 33. Dr. Batchelor (Dunedin Hospital Trustees) moved, and Mr. Loudon (Dunedin Hospital Trustees) seconded, " That in any base hospital where there is an honorary medical staff of not less than six members, they shall annually elect one of their number to represent them on the Hospital Board, and he shall be an ex officio member thereof." —Carried: For, 27; against, 16. The voting was as follows:-— Ayes. —Separate institutions, hospitals : Northern Wairoa, Mercury Bay, AVellington, .Masterton, Napier, Oamaru, Dunedin, Naseby, Arrow, Wakatipu, Southland, Wallace and Fiord. Hospital Boards : Coromandel, Patea, AVairarapa, AVaipawa, Hawke's Bay, Ashburton. Hospital and Charitable Aid Boards : North Auckland, AVaiapu, AA r aikato, Palmerston North, Inangahua, Waitaki, Maniopoto, Southland. Noes. —Separate institutions, hospitals: Gisborne, South Wairarapa, Charleston, Kumara. Hospital Boards: Thames, Wanganui, Wellington, North Canterbury, Otago. Hospital and Charitable Aid Boards: Auckland, Cook, Stratford, Hawera, AVairau, South Canterbury, Wallace and Fiord. Motion No. 34. Mr. Bagnall (Auckland Hospital and Charitable Aid Board) moved, and Mr. Knight (Auckland Hospital and Charitable Aid Board) seconded, (1.) "That provision should be made in connection with the old-age pensions by which, in the case of persons who are evidently more than sixty-five years of age, but who have no documentary evidence thereof, the Magistrate may satisfy himself in such way as he thinks fit." (2.) "That in the case of old-age pensioners who get drunk, their pensions should not be cancelled for so long a period as five years, as is now done."—Carried. Mr. Gallaway (Otago Benevolent Institution) asked that a brief statement of the decisions of the Conference be supplied to each member. The Inspector-General promised that this should be done. The Conference expressed its appreciation of the manner in which the Secretary had performed his duties. Motion No. 35. Proposed by Mr. Gallaway (Otago Benevolent Institution), and carrred with acclamation, " That this Conference places on record its high appreciation of the services rendered by the Inspector-General of Hospitals, Dr. Valintine, in the conduct of its business, as associated with the consideration of the very complex questions of hospitals and charitable aid. We desire to say that his comprehensive grasp of all details connected with the administration of this great Department of State has materially assisted the Conference in the findings which we believe, if incorporated in an Act and placed upon the statute-book, will go a long way to solve many of the difficulties that now confront those who have the administration of these important Departments. We desire further to add that, in our opinion, the urbanity of manner, mingled with a degree of firmness, displayed by the Chairman has been conducive materially to the success of this Conference." The Conference then terminated. E. Killick, Secretary.