"LIKE A HAPPY WEDDING."

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 138, 13 June 1929, Page 6

"LIKE A HAPPY WEDDING."

OTAKI HOSPITAL REOPENED.

HEALTH-MINISTER'S SUCCESS.

(By Telegraph.—Own Correspondent.) OTAKI, Wednesday.

"It is a triumph for one of the most humane and able Ministers of Health we have ever had," said a representative of the Palmerston North Hospital Board, at the ceremony of reopening the Otaki Hospital to-day. "He has persuaded my board to take over an institution that has been a cash loss to the Health Department of £2000 a year, and we are all perfectly satisfied and the Otaki resi : dents are delighted."

There had, he said, been years of misunderstanding and bitterness, but under the Minister's cheery peace-making this had now all vanished.

The Minister was given an ovation. He said the hospital had had a chequered career under the Wellington Board, the military occupation and the Health Department. The Palmerston Board had accepted the Otaki district, but had for long stubbornly refused to take over the hospital. However, the function that day was like a happy wedding ceremony. While there would be involuntary tears in the Department at the loss of a daughter costing over £2000 a year (laughter), he was pleased to give her away to the Palmerston Board as a bride adorned for her husband with trouseau and dowry all complete. He was sure the historian of the future would record that they were married and lived happily ever after. That a section of the hospital was to be devoted to maternity work was most appropriate. (Laughter and applause.) The Otaki residents warmly thanked the Minister.