HOSPITAL TRUSTEES.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2223, 20 June 1908, Page 3

HOSPITAL TRUSTEES.

HOUSE SURGEON APPOINTED. Tho monthly meeting of the Gisborne Hospital Trustees was held last evening. Present :The Hon. Captain Tucker (in the chair), Messrs E. H. Mann. F. J. Lysnar, W. D. S. MacDonald, A. F. Matthews, and L. Darton. . Dr. .DeLisle asked for copies of the plans of tho isolation ward. —It was decided to inform hint that the ward had been built and taken over. A deputation was received from the Friendly Societies’ Conference to ask for a refund of £l9 paid to the Trustees in mistake. •Mr. C. Lewis (president of the Conference) said the monoy had been paid inadvertently on behalf of a member who liad been expelled from the Lodge of which he had been a.member. The Conference afterwards found out that a. woman who went into the Hospital as the man’s wife was not so, and tho Lodge was in no way liable to pay the money. He asked the Trustees to refund the amount, ,as the Conference had to show to the Lodges that all moneys were legally spent. He agreed that the Hospital charges of every-member of a Friendly Society should be paid, but the Friendly •Societies thought tho increase in weekly charge from £1 to £1 8e was beyond the reach of Lodge members, as well as of many people who were not able to pay the additional charge, ami lie thought -tho lower charge ihonld be reverted to. Mr. T. Alston Coleman said the Conference had been misled by the man who said he was the husband of the woman on whose behalf tho payment was made. Tho money had been paid to the Trustees in good faith, but it was .afterwards discovered tlio facts w6ro not as they'had been represented. .«■■ Tho Chairman said the question of refunding the money would be carefully considered, and a reply would be forwarded to the Conference. In rogard to the second request, the LYustees had seen that the charge was inadequate for the benefits received. At other hospitals the charge was greater, and the. Inspector-General of Hospitals had advised the Board to increase tho charges. Both matters would he carefully considered.

The deputation then withdrew. It was decided to consult the opinion of the Auditor-General as to whether the amount could bo refunded, and if the reply ia in tlio affirmative to consider the return of the amount. The question of reducing the charges to patients was then discussed, and Mr. Darton gave notico to move at the next meeting that the chargo he reduced. Mr. Matthews gave notico to move that n discount of 10 per cent, be allowed to members of tbo Friendly Societies’ Conference. Dr. Wilson reported that there were ,36 patients in the Hospital at present. Tho Visiting Committee reported that they had visited the Hospital and found everything in a most satisfactory condition. The 'Chairman moved that Dr. Sampson be engaged as house surgeon. Tho agreement to ho terminable bv threo months’ notice on cither aide. Tho salary to be £l5O per annum. A condition to lie inserted in ‘he agreement that ho shall not enter into practice in Gisborne until after two years from the date of his engagement. The motion was carried. Mr. Darton. who proceeded to Wellington as delegate to the -Hospital Conference, submitted a report on the work of tho Conference, _as has already been", reported in Lite “Tunes,” while tho Conferenco was sitting.

A vote of thanks was p issed to Mr. Darton for his attendance in Wellington. Mr. F. Lysnnr moved that the signature of one Trustee he sufficient on in onler to allow a n.atient to be admitted to the Hospital. Mr. Matthews seconded, and said that it was inconsistent for the In-spector-General to say the institution was only for poor people, and to recommend that the charge should be increased. The motion was carried unanimously, A donation of £1 was voted each to Nurse Eadie and Nurse Gill for attending a mental patient.