INFECTIOUS DISEASES HOSPITAL.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXIV, Issue 304, 22 December 1903, Page 6

INFECTIOUS DISEASES HOSPITAL.

At a meeting of the Hospital and Charitable Aid Board yesterday afternoon, the Chairman (Mr G. J. Garland) reported that during Sir Joseph Ward's visit to Auckland he had waited on him regarding the infectious diseases hospital. Sir Joseph said that so far as the Health Department was concerned they believed Point Chevalier site -was the best. Mr Garland replied that several members of the Board did not agree with this, and he considered that they should look around for another site. Sir Joseph agreed to this and promised to anticipate the grant on the estimates for the purpose of taking any site selected under 'the Public Wiorks Act. Mr Garland further stated that he and three members had visited the sites at Orakei Basin and Kohimarama. The former was an ideal one, but was rather far from town. He suggested 'that the members of the Board should visit Point Chevalier and Orakei Basin before Dr. Makgill's deI rture from Auckland next month. i lie Board had to undertake the work, and the sooner they got it over the bet•ter.

Mr Walters aeked what was the position in regard to Motuihi. Mr Garland replied that this was a quarantine station, and any smallpox cases coming into the port would be treated there, but no provision could be made for taking cases to the station from the city itself.

Mr Beaie thought that tthe Board should have a hulk in the harbour for small-pox cases, this system having worked well in England. A site for minor infectious diseases could then be obtained at the back of the gaoL

Mr Court was opposed <to Point Chevalier, as being too far from the city, and for the same reason he objected to the Kohimarama site. He strongly advocated the site at the rear of the gaol. Mr Casey took the same view.

Mr McLeod considered that Point Chevalier site was a most unsuitable one, the point being very bleak and <the vicinity having been used as a nightsoil deposit. He moved that the Board approach the Government with reference to securing a site for a minor infectious diseases hospital near the gaol.

Mr Bagnall's objection to the gaol site was 'that another hospital would have to be erected for smallpox, leprosy and plague. He pointed out that the Point Chevalier site had the advantage of being surrounded by water on three sides. The Chairman, in expressing ji hope that Mr McLeod's motion would be carried, said he did not think that there would be much chance of the Government granting the site, but a negative reply would eliminate the suggestion. The motion was then agreed to, and it was further decided to apply to the Government for the use of the asylum reserve in cases of smallpox breaking out suddenly.

DEVONPORT SUBSIDY IMPOUNDED

At a meeting of the Devonport Borough Council last evening a letter was received from the secretary of the Treasury stating that £187 10/ waa due to the council in respect of subsidy, and of that sum £150 3/, due to the Hospital and Charitable Aid Board in respect of the infectious diseases hospital, had been retained.

The Mayor said he felt a strong protest ought to be made against this stopping of subsidies. He moved: "That the council emphatically protests againet the action of the Treasury in retaining the subsidy, and that application be made to the Treasury to forward forthwith the full amount of the subsidy, also that the Treasury be informed that the council is opposed to such unjustifiable interference by the Treasury in respect of the council's subsidy and business."

The motion was carried unanimously.