CHARLESTON
get some return for their money. The subscription fee was one guinea. The tale is told that at one hospital down the Coast, a subscriber, who had outstayed his welcome, was visited by an undertaker, who wished to take the patient’s measurements for a coffin, and enquired whether he would prefer white- or red-pine. In reply to the patient’s protest the caller explained that the doctor was going to try a new and drastic course of treatment and “one could never tell the result.” That night the patient was missing.
The Inspector of Hospitals’ report of 1881 shows that the district then served was from the Totara River to the Razorback, including Charleston township, and that it was a general hospital with one sleeping-ward of eight beds for males only. In this year subscriptions amounted to £181, patients’ fees to £37, the Government contributed £228, and the County Council £234, the total income being £740.
The Inspector’s report of 1883 showed that 12 beds had been provided for males and 2 for females. During this year there had been 63 male and 7 female patients, while outdoor relief had been given to 45 patients. The total cost had been £373, of which £129 had been found by the Government. The Inspector had visited the hospital on 4th November, 1883, and found it “untenanted save by the steward. There had been no in-patient for upwards of a fortnight, and the number at any one time since his previous visit had not exceeded two. The buildings were clean and in good order.” He added, “payment is expected from patients at the rate of £1 per week, but is not often received.” A report, as late as 1903, shows “two dormitories, with beds for 12 males.”
Secretaries: A. Bryce Bain, January, 1868; G. Chas. Bowman, 1869; Hugh Jones, 1875; N. M. Elliott, 1876; Ernest Strachan, 1877; T. Dollman, 1882-1885; C. H. S. Clifford, about 1885 to 1888 or later; G. M. Powell; J. H. Powell about 1906.
Boards or Committees: 1868—G. W. Lightband (Chairman), C. Gasquoine (Chairman); Messrs. Alexander, McCarthy, Neale, Dwan, Masters, Hennelly, Connelly, Hugh Jones, Chas. Mirfin, Beveridge, Kennedy, Allan.
1869—Chas. Gasquoine (Chairman); Messrs. T. G.
160
