THE ANNUAL MEETING OF SUBSCRIBERS TO THE REEFTON HOSPITAL.

Inangahua Times, Volume VII, Issue 1071, 7 April 1882, Page 2

THE ANNUAL MEETING OF SUBSCRIBERS TO THE REEFTON HOSPITAL.

I ♦ The annual meeting of subscribers to the Keefton Hospital was held last evening at the Southern Cross Hotel, when there was a fair muster present. Mr Thomas Lee was called to tho 1, chair. After the advertisement calling the meeting had been read, the acting secretary, Mr DO. Preshaw, brought up the following report : — REPORT OF THE REEFTON HOS- • PITAL COMMITTEE FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31st MARCH, 1882. In presenting the tenth annual report to the subscribers, the Committee of Management of the Reefton Hospital respectfully state that during their term of ofliee they have endeavoured to manage the affairs of the Institution efficiently, at the same time exercising due economy. Wo commenced our financial year with a debit balance of £9 15s. 9d., but have now much pleasure in informing you that when the March accounts are paid, and Government subsidy for past quarter received, there will be the substantial sum of £116 9s. sd. for our successors to start with. Subscriptions received during the year amount to about the same as the previous one, but would have been much greater had more men been, engaged in some of the large labour employing claims, where tickets were regularly issued, but the miners being now dispersed all over the field there is considerable trouble in getting them to rene^ their subscriptions. We would recommend that sub-com-mittees be appointed at Boatman's and other outside districts, the chairman of such having the privilege of taking part in tho ordinary committee meetings, and the members as a body would be able to look up subscribers in their respective localities, and generally assist in the interest of the Institution. A considerable amount has been expended in re-roofing the main ward, kit-hen, and storeroom with corrugated

iron, and other improvements both internally and externally, but the comfort derived therefrom, aa well as the protection to the old work, will compensate for ! the outlay. We would suggest that some tanks be procured for the purpose of storing the rain water from the roofs, also that a new fence be erected along the frontage to Broadway, the old one is decayed and falling to pieces ; a uniform fence of sawn timber, with the necessary gates, would not cost a great sum, whilst it would materially improve the appearance of the premises. The late secretary, Mr Boyd, ceased his connection with the institution in October last, the committee finding some difficulty in filling the ofliee, Mr Preshaw was appointed secretary pro tern, until the end of the financial year. We have to thank the County Council for their liberal donations, the various mining managers, who have exerted themselves in collecting subscriptions, the Reefton Amateurs and Jockey Club for their kind assistance, also those gentleman who from time to time supplied reading matter for the use of the patients. The supplies received from the various contractors are reported to have been to the satisfaction of the house steward. The stock of instruments, and other requirements are at present ample — the Dispensary is well furnished, and only requires an occasional order for drugs to keep up the stock. The. internal management is all that can be desired, the staff work harmoniously together, and the Institution will bear favourable comparison with any other of a similar nature. In conclusion, we lay before you the financial statement and . the SurgeonSuperintdndent's report, and whilst vacating our position as Committeemen, we would impress upon our successors the necessity of using every exertion to advance the best interests of the Institution. . The Medical Officer's report was then read as follows :— Stfi-GEO-T - S -rPERINTE-rDENT's REPORT — For the year commencing Ist April, 1881, and ended 31st March, 1882:— Patients remaining in Hospital on March 31st, 1881 3 Patients admitted during the year ended March 31st. , 1882 35 Total number treated 38 Patients discharged, cured, and relieved 27 Patients died 6 Patients remaining in Hospital on 31st March, 1882 5 Total 38 The greatest number of patients under treatment at one time was seven, and the wards were empty on one occasion for a week. The admissions into the Hospital each month were as follows : — April, 6 ; May, 3; June, 1; July, 2 ; August, 1; September, 3 ] October, 1 ; November, 5 ; December, 3 ; January, 1 ; February, 2 ; March, 7. The 'number of out-door patients treated was eighteen, admitted during the following months :— April, 3 ; May, 1 ; June, 0 ; July, 3 ; August, 0 ; September, 1 ; October, 2 ; November, 2 ; December, 1 ; Januaiy, 1 ; February, 2 ; March, 2. The following list will show the various localities from which patients were admitted : — Reefton, 16 ; Boatman's, 6 ; Black's Point, 6; Antonio's Flat, 2; Napoleon Hill, 1 ; Ajax, 1 ; Maori Gully, 1 ) Stoney Batter, 1 ; Devil's Creek, 1 ; Rainy *Crdek, 1 ; Crushington, 1 ; Cronodan, 1. The different occupations and trades of patients were — Miners, 23 ; bushmen, 2 ; painters, 2 ; clerk, 1 ; butcher, 1 ; storekeeper, 1; engineer, 1 ; farmer, 1 j chemist, 1 ; pianist, 1 ; domestic, 1 ; hotelkeeper, 1 ; minors, 2. The different nationalities of patients were— England, 13 ; Ireland ; 11 ; Scotland, 5 * New Zealand, 2 ; TJ. S. America, 1 ; Greece, 1 ; Portugal, 1 ; China, 1 ; Sweden, 1 ; Canada, 1 ; Jersey, 1. The different religious denominations of patients were — Church of England, 12 ; Roman Catholic, 11 ; Presbyterian, 8 ; Wesleyan, 2 ; Unitarian, 1 ; Greek Church* l ; Pagan, 1 ; Lutheran, 1 ; none, 1. Comparative age 3of patients — 10 to 20, 3 ; 20 to 30, 4 ; 30 to 40, 10 ; 40 to 50, 13 ; 50 to 60, 6 ; 60 to 70, 2. Average stay of patients in Hospital — 3l£ days. Classification of Diseases treated in the Hospital, during the year ended 31st March, 1882 :— General Diseases. Section A. — Tousillitis, 1. Section B. — Phthisis, 4 * Chronic Rheumatism, 2 ; Acute Rheumatism, 1 ; Lumbago, 1 ; Sciatica, 1. Local Diseases. Diseases of the Nervous System : — Paraplegia, 1 ; Hemiplegia, 1 ; Locomotar Ataxy, 1 ; Melancholia, 1. Diseases of the Eye— lritis, 1. Diseases of the Respiratory System — Bronchitis, 3. Diseases of the Digestive System — Cirrhosis of Liver, 1. Diseases of the Urinary System — Bright's Disease, 1 ; Stricture, 1. Diseases of the Cellular Tissue — Abscess, 1. Diseases of the Cutaneous System — Eczema, 1. Poisons— Alcoholism, 2. Local Injuries. Fractures— Spine, 1 ; Femur, 2 ; Tibia, 1 ; Tibia and Fibula, 1 ; Fibula, 1 ; Forearm, 1 ; Ribs, 1. Contusions— Spine, 1 ; Chest, 1. Wounds— Hand, 2 ; Foot, 1. The deaths during the year numbered si\, and were caused a3 follows :— Con

sumption, 1 ; Bright's Kidney Disease, 1 ; Fracture of Spine, 1 ; Paraplegia, 1 ; Hemiplegia, 1 ; Cirrhosis of Liver, 1. Of these, one died shortly after admission, and three others were in a dying condition when admitted. H. Stanley Thorpe, Surgeon-Superintendent, Beefton Hospital. The following is the balance-sheet submitted : — Statement of Receipts and Expenditure, for the year ended 31st March, 1882 :— Receipts. Amount. £ s. d. To subscriptions and donations 338 7 2 " Receipts from or on account of patients ... *** HI ° ° " County Council donations 140 0 0 " General Govt, subsidy ... 554 15 8 " Interest 1 15 0 £1145 17 10 Expenditure. Amount. £ s. d. By salaries 448 0 0 " Salary (secretary) ... 27 10 0 « Rations 201 0 3 " Drugs 26 4 v Medical comforts 7 1 11 " Laundry expenses ... 416 4 " Ironmongery 11 4 3 " Fuel and light 55 12 0 " Repairs (new roofs, &c.,) 72 11 2 " Drapery and bedding ... 23 2 7 " Insurance 12 0 0 " Stationery 61 16 8 " Auditor's fees 8 8 0 " Collector's commission ... 10 14 2 " Petty cash 1 10 8 " Incidental expenses ... 915 0 " Legal expenses 5 4 0 " Interest 1 12 11 " Debit balance, National Bank, March 31st, 1881 915 9 " Credit balance, National Bank 142 2 0 £1145 17 10 Assets. £ s. d. Expected Govt, subsidy ... 32 1 0 Credit balance as above ... 142 2 0 £174 3 0 £ s. d. Liabilities. *- Accounts for March still unpaid 57 13 7 Balance 116 9 5 £174 3 0 Audited and found correct — R. J. SCOLTOCK 1 »„,.._. JOHN M'SHERRY J Autlltor3 * 3 | 4 | 82. Several subscribers expressed their satisfaction at the reports as read, the chairman remarking that it was the first time they had had a credit balance for some time. The acting-secretary said that they had *only a tiredit balance -once before at an annual meeting, and that was five years ago. The reports and balance-sheet were then received and adopted, and the election of a committee for the ensuing year proceeded, with a vote of thanks to the outgoing committee for their management during their term of office. The following gentlemen were nominated, and elected as the new committee : — Messrs J. B. Beeche, Thomas Lee, J. I. Aiken, A. Kater. R. Patterson, W. J. Shaw, J. Thorburn, G. Wise, C. Cohen, W. G. Collings, C. MacQuarrie, and R. Oxley. This concluded the business, and the meeting separated.