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Aberystwyth Infirmary.I

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Aberystwyth Infirmary. ANNUAL MEETING OF SUBSCRIBERS. The annual mooting of the members and sub- scribers ot the Aberystwyth Infirmary and Cardi- ganshire General was held on Saturday morning last at the Town Hall, when there was a large and representative attendance. Those pre- sent were Mrs Jessy Williams, Mrs Griffiths, "Waterloo Miss Carpenter, Mrs Peary, Revs T. A. Penry, N. Thomas, Llanbadam T. Levi, T. E. Roberts, and G. Eyre Evans; Mr. II. C. Fryer. Alderman C. M. Williams, Major H. Bonsall, Messrs H. Mailory, "William Thomas, B. Ellis Morgan. John Mathias, Daniel Thomas. Evan Evans (solicitor). G. Fossotl. Roberts. Ilenrv Bonsall, Rowland Morgan, T. W. Powell. V, R. Jones, J. R. Griffiths, John Owen, Gre.it Darkgate-sftect; W. A. M-iller, D. Humphreys, R. Griffiths, T. C. Jenkins, Edwin Morris, D. Lloyd, Portland-street D. Thomas, JNorthgate-street; R. Humphreys, Albert-place Dr Abraham Thomas, Dr Morgan, Dr Alfred H. Jamf*, etc. On the proposition of Alderman C. M. Williams, Mr H. C. Fryer, was unanimously voted to the chair I OUR r.ATE QUEEN. The Chairman, at the outset, said he was snre it was the wish of all present that some reference should be made to the serious loss which they, in common with the nation at large and the Empire, had sustained by the death of their late Queen. He thought he might. say without hesitation that she was the noblest and most magnificent woman who ever sat on the Throne of England. She occupied that exalted position for such a great number of years that they came to look upon her position there almost as permanent, and it was, therefore a greater wrench and a greater shock when they heard of the Queen's death after a com- paratively short illness.) She had quite grown into the life of the nation, and there were very few pre- sent that day who were alive when she ascended the Throne. One of the first reminiscences of his own youth were the rejoicings which took place at his own village on Coronation Day. and that was so long ago thai it was almost hidden in old mem- ories. He would not detain them with any lengthened remarks on the merits and virtues of the late Queen because they bad been descanted upon in much better words than any he could com- mand. But there was one characteristic of their late Queen, which he thought appealed to them, especially in a meeting of this sort, and that was her widespread and large-hearted sympathy with sorrow, and sickness, and distress in whatever form it assumed. He thought nothing endeared her so much to the nation as the extreme tact with which the late Queen took every opportunity of expressing her sympathy with distress and sorrow of any sort. A widc-extendir.g famine in India, and a message of sympathy was sent by the Queen a great conflagration in Canada, and again the sympathy of the Queen was forth- coming. And in these things they saw the innate goodness and kindness of her heart, for she never allowed an opportunity to escape of showing her sympathy in all cases where be people were in dis- tress. When they saw her by the side of her sick arfl wounded soldiers at Setley Hospital or sitting at the bedside of a sick servant in one of her own castles, he thought these characteristics of the Queen appealed to them, particularly as members of this InSrmaiw Association, stronger than any of the other traits of her character. He thought they should not let this opportunity pass without passing a vote of condolence with the present King and with him the present Queen, who, since her visit to Aberystwyth, belonged to a certain extent to them the Welsh nation. He, therefore, proposed That we, the governors and subscribers to the Aberystwyth Infirmary and Cardiganshire General Hospital desire to tender to your Majesties King Edward VII and Queen Alexandra, our heartfelt sympathy in the loss which has befallen ourselves, the Royal Family, and the Empire, by the death of our beloved Queen and we desire to add an assurance of our devotion and loyalty to your Majesties'persons and our hope and prayer for your long and prosperous reign." The Rev T. Levi having seconded the resolution, it was carried unanimously. THE LATE PRESIDENT. The Chairman said he had another mournful duty to perform, and he thought they would all agree with him that they should not begin their general business without some reference to their late president, Mr J. G. W. Bonsall (hear, hear). He was a gentleman whom they bad seen in that position very often, and who paid the greatest possible attention to the work of the Infirmary, and to whose wise counsel and advice the Society owed a great deal. He would not dwell much on his excellent qualities, as he was so well known to all of them that any words of his were unnecessary. He would only propose "That this meeting of subscribers desires to place on record its apprecia- tion of the great benefits conferred on the Society by the interest shown in the work and the zealous performance of the duties of president by our late president, Mr Bonsall." The Rev T. A. Penry, in seconding, said they all appreciated very much the services rendered to this institution by Mr Bonsall for so many years. He thought they all heartily concurred in the ex- pression of condolence with the family in the loss they had sustained as likewise the Infirmary. The resolution was put to the meeting, and carried nem con. REPORT AND BALANCE SHEET. The report and balance sheet for the year ending December 31st was presented, and was as follows —In-patients—number admitted with recom- mendation tickets, 169; number admitted as accidents, &c., 29; remaining irom previous year, 14; total, 212. Of this number 165 were dis- charged cured, 21 relieved, two insurable or unrelieved, and seven died, leaving 17 under treat- ment on Dec 31st, 1900. Out-patients—Admitted with recommendation tickets, 1,087; admitted as accidents, &c.. 162; remaining from previous year. r 54; total, 1,303. The total number of in-patients and out-patients was 1,515. The total receipts for 1900 were P691 6s lid, and the expenditure £ 767 2.s 3d. The latter amount with £ 58 12s 2d due to the treasurer on Dec 31st, 1899, made a balapce of E134 7s 6d due to the treasurer on Dec 31st: 1900. The annual subscriptions for 1900 amounted to £143 5s 9d, collections at churches and chapels to R50 Is 2d, and Downie's Bequest E498. The household expenditure amounted to L286 3s; coal, firewood, and gas, £84 2s; dis- pensary. P-137 13, girl; salaries and wages, £ 174 7s 6d; and miscellaneous, £85 15s 11-6-d. Commenting on the report, the Chairman said that apparently they were going on in an exceed- ingly satisfactory manner. The benefits of the Infirmary, particularly as regards in-patients, seemed to be extending every year, and much greater appreciation was felt in the county generally of the indoor treatment than formerly. At first a good deal of hesitation was shown, people believing that they would be under too great con- finement, while they objected to being removed from their homes. Now, all that prejudice was got over, and there was a great demand for in-door tickets. Last year, as they would see by the return, no less than 169 in-door patients were admitted, an advance of 20 over the preceding year, which was larger than any previous year. The number of out- patients had gone down rather considerably during the year. That, he thought, was a matter of con- gratulation, because it must show that Aberystwyth with all its splendid sanitary appliances was in a more healthy position than ever before, because the great bulk of the out-patients belongedjto Aberyst- wyth and the immediate neighbourhood. In 1899 they had no less than 1.441 out-patients treated, while in 1900 only 1,087. In 1899, 174 accident cases were admitted, and 162 in 1900. With regard to the balance sheet, the annual subscriptions, he was sorry to say, did not increase, but had gone down a little. There was also a very great falling off in the receipts from paying patients. The pre- vious year they bad an abnormal amount from this source, viz., £43 19s, while last year it was only £6 16s 6d. The collectionsjat churches and chapels had fallen off, having decreased from nearly £60 to a little over £50. He was afraid that this was partly due to the fact that a great many people were under the impression that there was money enough to carry on this institution without their help. He hoped they would disabuse their minds of that because every penny in subscription received was required, and the more subscriptions they had the more benefits the institution was able to confer on the people. He believed a good many now were not able to go into the Infirmary from inability to obtain tickets, and the more subscribers they bad the more tickets were disseminated, and the more advantage the hospital was to the neigh- bourhood. So he hoped the members would impress upon thr friends how very advantageous it was not only to themselves, but also to their poor neighbours, to add their subscriptions to thii list. Continuing, the Chairman said the household expenditure was a little heavier, there being a large advance in the items of coal and firewood, which was a circumstance over which they had no control. On the whole, however, he thought the statement very satisfactory. The Rev T. A. Penry said there was another reason for the diminution in the subscriptions, viz., the alteration to Rule 23, which stated that all subscriptions became due on the 1st. Jan. many had withheld their subscriptions who used to pay them in Nov., because the rnle now made it that the tickets were not. available beyond December. So the .subscriptions had been withheld to the beginning of the year in order to make a fresh start. Rev T. Levi: I suppDse the tickets of last year are available until this meeting ? ° ILev T. A. Penry No, only to the end of the year, except in the case of churches and chapels. Mr William Thomas proposed the adoption of the balance sheet, and this having been seconded by th Hev- X, Thomas was agreed to without a dis- sentient. ELECTION OF PRESIDENT. The next business was the appointment of pre- si lent in succession to the late Mr J. G. W. Bonsall. The Rev T. A. Penry proposed that Captain Coscns, J.P., D.L., Bronpadarn, be appointed. He-(t-he mover) was sorry Captain Cosens coidd not attend this meeting, but there was no one more faithful in his attendance at the Infirmary. Not a week passed but that he paid a visit, and sometimes twice or oftener. No one, he believed, connected with the institution took'a keener interest in the welfare of ti-le patients and the of the Infirmary, And he bad very great pleasure in pro- posing that Captain Cosens be appointed president. Alderman C. M. Williams in seconding, said he bad had the pleasure of being on the Management Committee for many years with Captain Cosens. Mr Penry had given expression to the feeling of all the members when he said that in Capt, Cosens they had one who took the keenest and deepest interest in the welfare of the patients. Some weeks he had paid as many as three or four visits when patients were very ill, and his kindness at all times was very great. In electing him they would be electing a re' worthy successor to Mr Bonsall, and it was a great 11 thing to have a president who was always in sym- pathy and touch with the institution.—The Chair- man said there could be no two opinions as to Capt Cosens interest in the Infirmary, and the services he had rendered to the institution in the past were a forecast of what he would do in the future. (Hear, hear). The proposition, on being put to the meeting, was carried unanimously. MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE. The appointment of the Management Committee was next proceeded with. The members of the Committee last year were Mrs Jessy Williams, Ald. C. M. Williams, Revs. T. A. Penry and T. E. Roberts, Messrs J. D. Perrott, William Thomas, and W. H. Colby. The Chairman said they would be all sorry to know that Mrs Jessy Williams would shortly be leaving the country. He did not know whether it would be for a better one, but he hoped it would be a better one for her in every way, and that she would have long life and happiness there. Mrs Williams had asked him to say that she did not wish to be again selected as a member of the Management Committee, Aid C. M. Williams, and Mr J. D. Perrott were already members of the com- mittee, having been appointed by the Charity Com- missioners while Mr Colby did not wish to be re- elected. Mr William Thomas said he thought it was usual, before receiving nominations, to have the list of attendances before them. He was under the im- pression that he had attended rather badly. Ald. C. M. Williams said that speaking from memory lie believed all the members had attended very well. He was inclined to think that Mr Thomas asked for the return in order to show what a good record he had (laughter). Nominations were then received, when the follow- ing persons were proposed and seconded:—Mrs Griffiths (Waterloo), Mr John Mathias, Mr D. C. Roberts, Mr B. Ellis Morgan, Rev. T. A. Penry, Rev T. E. Roberts, Rev N. Thomas, Mr William Thomas, and Mr Henry Bonsall. Mrs Elizabeth James was proposed as a member of the committee but received no seconder. Mr Evan Evans and the Rev G. Eyre Evans were appointed scrutineers, and voting, which was by ballot, resulted in the following being appointed :— Mrs Griffiths, Mr John Mathias, Mr D. C. Roberts, Mr B. Ellis Morgan, Revs T. A. Penry aud T. E. Roberts, and Mr William Thomas. APPOINTMENT OF AUDITOR. On the motion of Alderman C. M. Williams, seconded by Mr Daniel Thomas, Mr J. R. Rees, manager, North and South Wales Bank, was unani- mously re-appointed auditor. HONORARY MEDICAL OFFICERS. The Chairman proposed a vote of thanks to the honorary medical officers-Dr Bassett Jones, Dr Abraham Thomas and Dr M. J. Morgan. He said that a good deal of assistance was required at the Infirmary, particularly as the number of the in- mates increased. The honorary medical officers did render valuable assistance almost always when called upon, and he had great pleasure in proposing that the thanks of the meeting be accorded to them for their kind attendance at the Infirmary during the past year. Miss Carpenter seconded. Mr B. E. Morgan proposed the inclusion of the names of Messrs A,¡C, Powell, G. Rowley, and A. L. Rowley, honorary dental surgeons, in the resolu- tion, and this having been accepted, the vote of thanks was unanimously carried. Mr Henry Bonsall pointed out there were only three names given as honorary medical officers, and he wished to know if that was satisfactory. It seemed as if there ought to be more honorary sur- geons. One would think that an important and beneficient institution should be largely supported by the medical gentlemen of Aberystwyth, and he was astonished to find only three amongst the numerous skilled doctors in the town who attended the Infirmary. It either meant that there was mis- management ora great deficiency on the part of the doctors themselves. He thougnt the thing required enlightening, because an institution like this, which affected the whole ofCardiganshire, ought/certainly to be supported by the doctors of the town gener ally. It seemed to him it was a subject that re- quired investigation. Rev T. Levi said the services of these honorary medical officers were given purely voluntarily. Alderman C. M. Williams asked the Chairman to read Rule 40, which would give an explanation to Mr Bonsall. The Chairman If Mr Bonsall brings the matter before any qualified medical man, the committee will fee only too glad to avail themselves of his services. The rule read that the staff should consist of a house surgeon and honorary medical officers, and as yet they had only had applications from the gentlemen named. Mr W. Thomas yaid twelve months ago the matter was fully dismissed, aud the rule just quoted was adopted. The Chairman ad (feci that these gentlemen gave their services free, gratis, and for nothing, but the committee would be only too glad to accept them as honorary medical officers should they offer themselves. THANKS to THE CHAIRMAN. Mr William Thomas proposed a vote of thanks to Mr Fryer for presiding, and the Rev T. Levi having seconded, the resolution was carried un- animously. Mr Fryer, in acknowledging, said it was a great pleasure to see so many taking a real interest in the work of the institution, and a pleasanter and more orderly gathering it would be very hard to y I get, even in the exceptionally orderly town of Aberystwyth. He thought they might congrat ulate themselves on the fact tfiat the Infirmary was doing exceedingly good work, and that it was being much more widely-appreciated, particularly in the country districts, than it used to be A

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