JE WAIKATO SANATORIUM.

Auckland Star, Volume LI, Issue 193, 13 August 1920, Page 8

JE WAIKATO SANATORIUM.

-iltJL'l.l) IT 111-3 ( LO-.-liD? illy Teli-E'-.Mili. own Correspondent.) HAMILTON, this day. The decision of (■'overnineiit to clofu Te Waikato Snntoriiim drew a storm of protest from the Waikato Hospital Hoard at it,- hot meeting, and a demand for tin- rea.-ona for the Government* proposed ai'liou. Writing to the Board. Or. Valintinc. Inspector-General. siii.l thai it »ih not intended to close the institution until ample aci-o-inmo-dation was provided for the consumptive*, either nt I'ukeroa or elsewhere. The reason for cloning the Sanatorium was on account of the mn-siiitability of the rite and the dillk-uities of administration. ThU we.s emphasised by the fact that to place the institution in a thorough Ktnte of repair would cost not lese than u≤0.001). It was thought, therefore, added Dr. Valintiiic, that it would be better to expend such a large sum of money in connection with an inctitution where the climate w:;s not to be surpassed, and where the facilities for economical and efficient administration were undoubted.

Mr. H. K. Tristram, commenting on this letter at a meeting of the Hospital Board, said he regarded tho reply as not at all satisfactory. When the Sanatorium was iirst luiilt it was hailed as a boon to the district. The speaker referred to the number of marvellous cures that had been effected, and he quoted a letter that appeared a few nights ago in the "Star," in which details of the working of the institution (luring Dr. Bernstein's supeiintcndency

Mr. E. Dickinson stated that while Iherc was room for a hundred patients there were only 1~ there at the present time. There were, in fact, almost as many attendants as patients. The institution was splendidly equipped, and hundreds of thousands of pounds had been spent there. ilr. J. V. Bailey (chairman) said that he paid a visit to the Sanatorium during 'Dr. Bernstein's management, and he thought it was one of the finest institutions in New Zealand.

There was a chorus of agreement when one member declared that the buildings -were not in the state of disrepair suggested. Tt was decided to ask the Government to 6et up a commission to inquire into the administration of the Sanatorium.