Hospital Trustees.

Gisborne Standard and Cook County Gazette, Volume IV, Issue 466, 12 June 1890, Page 2

Hospital Trustees.

An ordinary meeting of the Hospital Trustees was held last night. Present: Captain Tucker (Chairman), Messrs Lucas, A. Brown, Watson, Hepburn, and Coleman. The monthly report showed remaining from 'ast month 12, admitted 17, discharged 16, deaths 3; remaining 10. It was stated that this was the largest number treated in the institution since its establishment. The Treasurer reported a credit balance on current account of £99 6s lOd.

Dr Pollen reported as follows: —There have been a large number of admissions to and some very severe cases treated in the Hospital during the past six weeks. This has taxed ihe nursing powers of the staff considerably, as under such circumstances they have to be at their post both night and day. Since I last made a report to your Trustees Miss Stewart, from Melbourne, has taken over charge as Matron. I am glad to be able to report that I consider Miss Stewart possesses all the qualifications that could be desired for the post. Miss Stewart has obtained the services of a probationer for a short time. It the probationer takes to the work I would recommend the Trustees to keep her on, as we often require a nurse at a moment’s notice. There have been three deaths daring the month, two from typhoid fever and one from accident, AU three cases were almost hopeless at time of admission. With reference to tha oase of Mrs Courtenay, treated in the private ward, I warned Mrs Courtenay not to incur the extra expense unless she was in a position to pay for it. She refused to go into the ordinary ward, and pronvaed to pay all the extra charges for the private one. Under those circumatancas I admitted her.

The appointment of a probationer was approved of. Mr K. F. Harris applied for and was granted leave of fabsence from the meeting. The Matron thankfully acknowledged receipt of two cases of oranges from Captain Tucker, large parcel of copies of the Graphic from the Rev. Canon Fcx, aud a quantity of old liuen from Mrs Biker. Messrs Stubbs and Watson were appointed a Visiting Committee for the ensuing month. Accounts amounting to £B9 0s 9d were passed for payment. Mr Lucas said he thought the time opportune to bring forward the question of Government endowments promised under clause 88 of the Hospital and Charitable Institutions Act of 1885. The institution had only one endowment, being a suburban section of an acre, which was now bringing in a rental of only £5 per annum. Other institutions, notably tn large centres of population, had ample endowments, the revenue from which lightened local taxation. Now that there was a probability of subsidies being withdrawn under the provisions of tha Amendment Act of 1836. after October, 1891, he thought that some effort should be made by the Board in conjunction with similar bodies to obtain a fulfilment of the intention of the Act. He moved the following proposition, which was seconded by Mr Coleman, and carried unanimously That the member for this district bo requested to bring pressure to bear on the Government to ensure the carrying out of the provisions of clause 83, of the Hospitals and Charitable Institutions Act, 1885, this Board of opinion that the intention of the original Act should be carried out inasmuch as there is every probability that subsidies will not be continued beyond the time stated in the Amendment Act of 1886, namely—October, 1891. It was resolved on the motion of the Chairman that in future ordinary monthly meetings be held on tbe Wednesday next before the full moon.