INFECTIOUS DISEASES HOSPITAL.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXV, Issue 135, 7 June 1904, Page 3

INFECTIOUS DISEASES HOSPITAL.

HEALTH DEPARTMENT WISH IT ESTABLISHED. DISCUSSION AT THE HOSPITAL BOARD, At the meeting of the Hospital Board yesterday afternoon a letter was received from Dr- Mason, Chief Health Officer, certifying to the necessity for porviding, equipping, and maintaining a hospital for infectious diseases in Auck land, and giving formal direction that the cost should fall on the various local bodies in and around Auckland. The chairman said the question had to be faced immediately. He thought that something should be done to relieve struggling country local bodies from their responsibility under the Act. He instanced several local bodies from whose districts no infectious diseases fmd come. He thought that the Auckland Harbour Board should contribute something towards the cost of the hospital. In a conversation with the Hon. A. Pitt during his recent visit to Auckland, he had advocated the passing of legislation to give Charitable Aid Boards the power to levy part of the cost of infectious diseases hospitals upon Harbour Boards. The reason for his holding this opinion was that the major cases of infectious diseases came by sea. He thought the Board might ask for power to strike a rate whicli would relieve struggling local bodies whose districts did not provide any eases of infectious disease. 'He moved that the Board, having received this notification, take the necessary steps to give effect to the same. Mr. McLeod seconded the resolutionTe thought, however, that if a contribution waa levied on the Harbour Board, it would simply mean the raising of further revenue by the Board, so that it would involve the levying of a further tax on those who were already paying a tax. Mr. Bollard said he saw no necessity for the carrying out of Dr. Mason's direction at the present time. He did not think 'they were called upon to levy a tax on the local bodies, unless some extraordinary expenditure was incurred through an epidemic. He moved as an amendment that the letter be received. The chairman explained that there was no provision for the purchase of land at Point Chevalier or for the erection of buildings out of the Board's revenues, and if the accounts were to be balanced they must make a levy. Mr. Beale said he was of the same opinion as Mr. Bollard. He thought that a small building would be sufficient. Unless it was made quite clear that this hospital was absolutely necessary, he would vote against the motion. Mr. Bruce thought that they ought not to burden the ratepayers with any additional rates until they saw the need for such a step. Mr. Harris thought there would shortly be a need for an infectious diseases hospital, but that it would be unwise to make two levies in ono year. The chairman said the land at Point Chevalier would cost about £600. Three small buildings would cost £150, and these sums, added to the £600 already owing to the Health Department for treatment of® infectious diseases, made a total of £ 1350. This money would have to be forthcoming this year. This expenditure had nothing to do with the ordinary rate for the hospital up-keep, and might be levied at any time. Mr. Bollard said the chairman was incorrect in stating that the Board owed the Health Department £GOO. This money should be taken from the moneys received from the local bodies by the Government. Mr. McLeol saw no good in deferring the matter any longer. Mr. Bollard's amendment was carried.