CHARITABLE AID RATING.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 166, 13 July 1907, Page 5

CHARITABLE AID RATING.

CQUyTY COUNCIL DEPIJTA,TION> (By Telegrapn. —Parliamentary Beporter.) . this day. \ The proposal to form a 'separate pital.and charitable, aid district:for the counties of Hobson, Otamatea, and Rod-: ney was brought before the Minister for Public Health by a deputation (introduced by Mr Stallworthy) , com-; prising Messrs' Dargaville (chairman of the Hobson County Council), LinneU (Otamatea), Becroft (Eodney), O'Neill' (Waitemata). It was explained by Mr Dargaville that so far as Hobson County was concerned, it was quite distinct geographically from Whangarei, the headquarters of the existing hospital district. Mr Beecroft said his county handsome-. 1\- contributed to the central body, but got little in return. Settlers, owing to bad communication, could not take much advantage of the Whangarei hospital, and serious cases went to Auckland. The northern counties, for the treatment of the latter, were prepared to give up half the Government subsidy to the Auckland Board. Mr LinneU said, although Otamatea contributed £300 annually to the North Auckland Charitable Aid district, it only got £100 worth of services. If a separate district were created they would build a hospital locally and send the ■ more serious cases to Auckland. Difficulties of transport added greatly to the seriousness of the accidents. He had aeconv panied a- man with a broken leg to Auckland when there was a south-west gale blowing, and the patient could not be taken "below on the steamer. He died during the journey, probably from shock and exposure. Hon. Mr. Fowlds said he was strongly opposed to a minute subdivision of districts. To follow out that plan would be to defeat the main intentions of the Hospital and Charitable Aid Act, landing the colony exactly into the difficulty which had brought the poor law of England into a scandal, rich districts, well able to bear the burden, being cut off from the poor digtricts, where the demand for charitable aid was neater. The counties represented by the deputation were comparatively rich, with very little demand for charitable aid, and were just those districts which:ought, to lend a hand, to other districts with less power to, give. The (deputation's case was as strong as any in New Zealand, and if he could grant its request without infringing, the principles of the charitable aid scheme he would do so. The deputation subsequently represented to the Minister for Public Works the necessity for pushing on the North lAuckland railway. They, also asked for several road grants.