HOSPITAL TRUSTEES.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2670, 27 November 1909, Page 3

HOSPITAL TRUSTEES.

MONTHLY MEETING

The monthly meeting of the Gisborne Hospital Trustees . was held in the County Council Chambers last night. Mr. J. W. Bright presided, and other members present were: Messrs W. D. S. MacDonald, M.P., F. J. Lysnar, E. H. Mann, A. Dewing, and. Hon. Captain Tucker. Dr. Wilson, medical superintendent, was also in attendance A letter was received from the secretary of the Charitable Aid Board stating that the contribution ,>f the Borough Council towards the Hospital was £413, and that of the Cook County Council £786. Mr. T. J. Thomas donated £1 to the Hospital funds, the cost of a spring door that had’ been erected. Mr. W. H. Clayton, of Mangapapa. wrote offering 25 acres or so of land as a site for the new hospital at £2OOO. The Chairman .said it was one of the sites the Trustees bad had in mind. The only drawback' was its distance from the town, and the fact that it was outside the gas and drainage area. The matron wrote asking permission to appoint two probationers, which was granted. She also asked for an increase of salary for lierself and the charge nurses. It was mentioned that the matron’s salary ..was £IOO a year, and £4 allowance. Mr. Lysnar moved an increase to £l2O. This was seconded i-hy Mr. Dewing and carried, the rise to date from December'lst. With regard to the salaries of the charge nurses, the Chairman mentioned the fact that while a cook received £6 a month, the charge nurses only received £4 11s Bd. Dr. Wilson: Trained women in fact are paid less than charwomen. On the motion of the Hon. Captain Tucker, seconded by Mr. Mann, it was decided that the charge nurses’ salaries should be increased, the rate to be decided on at the next meeting, when reports would be received from the medical superintendent and matron. The financial report showed receipts amounting to £478 14s lUd, an expenditure of £445'135, and an overdraft of £33 10s. The patients’ report showed 40 cases in hospital to date. There was one death for the month, and 45 patients were discharged. 'The reports were adopted. The Chairman of the Fire Board (Mr: John Townley) wrote suggesting better facilities for removing patients from the Hospital in the ovent of a .fire taking place in any part of the building. Several alterations, such as the enlargement of certain doors and windows in the back yard, and in the ward next to the operating theatre, and the making of new doors in the two main wards, were recommended. Mr. Townley added that when the alterations were; completed it would be advisable to have? a practice of removal of patients, so that the stall would be prepared in case of ; accident. _ The alterations need not detract from the uniformity of the building. Mr. Townley also pointed out that tlie present appliances for fire extinguishing were of no use, and should ho dispensed with, and a new service installed,: and connected with the water supply as soon - as possible. He had conferred with the borough turncock on the matter, and planned things out. He described-how the new appliances conldV be fixed. , The cost 1 would lie about £35, and everything would be completed a few days after the necessary pipes and hose had been obtained. With this plant the staff would be in a position to hold any outbreak of fire in checkruntii-the brigade’should arrive. t .■ - - 1 ■ On,.the proposition of Mr. Mann, seconded by Mr. Lysnar, the report was approved. • . The -secretary, wasinstructed to write and thank Mr:'Townley. ; A deputation from the Friendly Societies’ Conference was received. Mr. C. F. Lewis said that the deputation had waited on tho Board with a view of ascertaining the possibility :of a.:site for a new hospital being shortly obtained. The present institution -was. hardly sufficient to cope with the requirements of the district, and in caso of fire it would be almost impossible to get the patient.? out safe y. When a now building was erected the old one could bo used for consumptives andcertain other patients. Moreover the situation of the present hospital so near to the river was not of the healthiest. The peculiar structure of the building also meant extra work for the nursing staff: Apart from the building however, the ; hospital and its working was ' admirable. . . ' Other members of the deputation endorsed JVIr. Lewis’ remarks. Mr Bright said the. Trustees were pleased t 0 hear that the Conference of Friendly Societies wero satisfied with tho conduct of the hospital generally. With regard to the qiffistion of danger from fire, the matter had only been dealt with that evening. J lie matter of erecting a new building would be a big job, but the matter had Been considered, and the Trustees had been inquiring as to a possible site. I here were many things to he considered on this head, however. The Trustees were alive to the fact that the present building had outlived its requirements, and the necessity for change and the next 1 Board elected would.no doubt expedite

tlie matter, though it was one in which it would be wise to “hasten slowly,” considering the expense involved. Mr, Lewis thanked the Trustees, and the deputation retired. Accounts amounting to £348 10s 2d Were . passed for payment. . On the motion of Mr. Bright £3 3s per annum was voted to the caretaker tor hisi attendance at the Council Chamber on the occasion of the Trustees’ meetings. ' Messrs Darfcon and Holden were anpointed as a visiting committee for the coming month. The reporter.tljeicommittee" for last month was satisfactory. ..At tho conclusion of the meeting Mr. Bright referred to the fact that it was probably the last occasion on. which he would 1 take liis seat as chairman of the Trustees' He referred to the pleasing tone that had always prevailed at the meetings, and said that though he might cease to bo a Trustee, his inter est would always be in their work. Messrs Mann and MacDonald also spoke on similar lines.