INFECTIOUS DISEASES HOSPITAL.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXIV, Issue 179, 29 July 1903, Page 5

INFECTIOUS DISEASES HOSPITAL.

9 PROPOSED EXCHANGE OF SITES

DEPUTATION TO STR JOSEPH WARD.

(By Telegraph—Parliamentary Reporter.)

WELLINGTON, Tuesday.

A deputation, consisting of Messrs Wit-lief ord, Baume, Kidd, Massey, Kirkbride, Alison and Lawry, M,H.R.'s s and the Hon. E. Mitehelson (flavor of Auek-. land), waited on the Minister,of Public Health this evening with reference to the proposed exchange of land between the Auckland City Council and the Auckland Hospital Board for the purpose of the erection- of an infectious- diseases hospital. ■'./,' The Hon. Mitchelson stated that the exchange was agreed to by both bodies, but when the city solicitor cariie to look into the matter he found that the Hospital Board could not give a title to the section they proposed to hand 'over. This section of land had belonged, to the Provincial Government, and; on the abolition of the provinces, had been transferred to the General Government, but at the same time the propertywas mortgaged for the benefit of the hospital funds, and the Hospital, Board had always received the rental ■ through the Public Trustee. The people Of Auckland were agreeable, to the hospital'for minor infectious diseases being erected' on the section to be exchanged, but would think they were giving too much'if they got nothing at. all in return. They asked Sir Joseph, as representative of the .Health Department, to secure the exchange, .. ■

; Sir Joseph: "Are you willing for. this , to be used for a smalLpox hospital aJso?"

Mr Mitchelson: ..'"I would not say that;" , " •■ .■' • •■•'■. . ;, . ;: ; . •*>

Sir Joseph, said that was the. whole point. The question. of a hospital for minor complaints could easily be got over, but for small-pox it appeared they would still have to go to.Point Chevalier. Tie asked what were the proposals of the Auckland people regarding smallpox cases. "■•:' . : Mr Mitchelson suggested that Mqtuihi

should be used- He understood that Dr. Mason was p.greeablc to' the Domain being, used for minor diseases', provided Hint an observation hospital;was provided where suspicious' cases could be taken until it.was certain from what they suffered. ...... ,

Mr Baume'asked if the erection of infectious hospitals was being insisted on all over Now Zealand.

Sir Joseph Ward replied that they Would" have to be erected in Dunedin, Lyttelton. Wellington, and Auckland, but in each case thore was .difficulty about the site. ■ \- : / ,

Mr Baume said that the people of Auckland did not. jvtah tp take,any further steps until they were satisfied they were not being treated exceptionally. •

Sir Joseph pointed out'the necessity of. havimr provision for a small-pox outbreak. He said that they would, not enforce the expenditure of a half-penny unless ho considered it necessary.

Mr Alison said the feeling in Auckland was that cases of small-pox, should be taken to Motuihi.' There would be no objection, he thought, to the establishment of an observation hospital in the Domain.

In replying, Sir Joseph Ward said that if it was shown that the 54 acres referred to was intended for the use of fhe Hospital Board at the time jit was transferred to the Crown, lie would-' recommend the Government to take a broad view of the question and favourably consider the matter of permitting the exchange. He was inclined to favour the establishment, of a small-pox ■hospital at Motuihi, but .-there were one or two points that required' dealing up. One objection was the distari'e'e from Auckland, and tho fact that conveyance by water was required. There should be facilities for removing patients , to the island without danger. Another point was as to whether the owners of the land at Point Chevalier would want compensation. ' ''"'■'"■

Mr'Mitchelson said there was , no fear of that. ■ , ,' ■'■ ' ' v

Mr Alison agreed with Sir Jqseph that if compensation Avere required it should be borne by the local bodies.

Sir Joseph Ward said that another question was, if Motuihi were used for small-pox, what would be done with the crew and passengers if an infected vessel arriving from an infected port.

; Mr Mitehelson said that the island could be sub-divided without danger. A dozen diseases could be treated on the island without danger of infection from one to the other.

Sir Joseph said he would look into the matter.

Another question raised by Mr Mitchelson was that of gmng the hospital boards the sole control of infectious diseases.

Mr Kidd said t\iis could ba done by an amendment in the Act permitting hospital boards to build.

Sir Joseph stated that he would be glad to go fully into the matter, and on arriving at a conclusion would give them a definite answer.