31

H.—22a

Mr. J. P. Luke's resolution—viz., "That as long as the Government contribute the same amount of subsidy as at present, they be represented by not more than two members on each Board " —was negatived on the voices. Districts. The Chairman then made arrangements to meet and confer with the representatives of districts who objected to the boundaries of districts as set forth in the Bill. The Conference then adjourned.

THIRD DAY (THURSDAY, 11th JUNE, 1908). Mr. Gallaway (Dunedin), as chairman of the committee appointed to simplify the agenda paper by striking out duplicate remits and those which had been rendered superfluous by resolutions already passed, submitted an amended and very considerably curtailed agenda paper, which he read to the Conference. The thanks of the Conference, he said, were due principally to Mr. Kirk and the Secretary to the Conference, Mr. Killick, for the able and painstaking manner in which the work had been carried out. If there was any fault to be found, he was prepared to take the responsibility upon his own shoulders. On the motion of the Chairman the agenda paper as revised by the committee was adopted. Definition of " Contributor." The Conference proceeded to a consideration of the following remit from the St. Andrew's Orphanage : " Interpretation, clause 2, line 20 : That the words ' one pound ' be struck out, and the words ' five shillings ' be inserted." Mr. Bagnall (Auckland) moved that the words "ten shillings" be inserted in lieu of "five shillings." Mr. Maxton (Greytown) thought it was better to make the amount "five shillings." The institution he represented was supported to a great extent by voluntary contributions. The great object was to get the small people interested, and if a larger amount was fixed a great number of people would be debarred from becoming contributors. Mr. O'Brien (Mercury Bay) seconded Mr. BagnalPs amendment. Amendment to insert " ten shillings " negatived. Mr. Darton (Gisborne) hoped the Conference would agree to the words " five shillings " being inserted. Mr. Bellringer (Taranaki) thought the clause should be allowed to remain as it stood. Motion to insert " five shillings " agreed to. It was further resolved, on the motion of Mr. Tapper (Otago), "That voluntary contributors to separate institutions be allowed to elect a member of the Board." Inclusion of Town Districts in County. Remit from the Ashburton Hospital Board: "That the words 'and town districts' be inserted after the word ' borough ' in the first line of clause 4, subclause (1)." Insertion of "town districts " agreed to. Date of Election. Remit from the Coromandel Hospital Board: "That the 'month of April' should be substituted for the 'month of January,' so that the report and accounts could be dealt with at the end of the financial year." " Month of April " agreed to. Expenses of Administration : Salary and Travelling-expenses of Chairman. Remit from the Wairarapa District Hospital Board: "Clause 25b: The Committee is of opinion the position of Chairman should be maintained as an honorary one." Remit from the Wellington District Hospital Board : " That the Chairman when away from place of residence be paid travelling-allowance, and, in addition, one guinea per diem." Mr. J. P. Luke (AVellington) said that personally he was not in any way interested in this matter, but he trusted the recommendation of the AVellington District Board would be adopted, as there were many Chairmen of hospital institutions in different parts of the Dominion who had to travel over a wide area, and were thus put to considerable expense. Mr. Tapley (Dunedin) agreed with the last speaker. He was aware that the Chairman of his institution ever since he had occupied the chair had been considerably out of pocket when travelling on the service of the institution, and it was not right that he should be in that position. The suggestion of the Wellington Board was a very fair one, more especially as any idea of granting a stipend had been abandoned. Mr. Bagnall (Auckland) thought some provision should be made so that the Chairman would not be out of pocket when travelling. At present the auditor would not allow the Board in Auckland even to vote reasonable expenses. Mr. Eaton (Masterton) thought the Chairman should be allowed travelling-expenses only. He was no more out of pocket than any other member of the Board. Mr. Kirk (Wellington) thought the Chairman and any member of the Board when away from place of residence should be paid actual travelling-expenses and an allowance of 10s. a day.