CONSUMPTION.

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 16118, 24 January 1918, Page 2

CONSUMPTION.

♦ EXTENSION" OF CASHMERE SANATORIUM. The recent conference between the Hon. G. W. Russell (Minister of Public Health) and representatives of the North Canterbury 'and Westland and South Canterbury Hospital Boards, with regard to the extension of the Cashmere Hills Sanatorium, so as to provide accommodation for consumptives from districts other than North Canterbury, who might require it, gave Vise to considerable discussion at yesterday's meeting of the North Canterbury Board. Some members objected to Christchurch being made a dumping ground for patients from othor parts of the South Island, and a remark that the Government should take over the business was warmly applauded. It -was, however, pointed out that the climatic conditions on tho West Coast were not in favour of the effective treatment of consumptive patients, and that it was a matter of difficulty for tho smaller Boards to provide proper treatmont: they would pay their share of the cost, and only curable cases would be accepted. It had yet to be proved, one speaker pointed out, that the establishing of the Sanatorium, at Cashmere Hills had had any prejudicial effect upon .the health of the citizens of Christchurchj and certainly a few extra consumptives from the West Coast would make no difference. Ihiring the discussion, the Hon. R. Moore criticised the reported action of the chairman (Mr F. Horrell) at the conference in binding the Board to certain financial proposals if new provision had to be made, but Mr Horrell replied that lie had been misreported; he had only advanced the proposal as his personal view, and not on "behalf of the Board. Other members corroborated this. Ultimately, upon the motion of the chairman, it was resolved: "That the matter of providing for consumptives be loft in the hands of tho Publio Health Committee, to draw np a renort for submission to the other Boards." The chairman.said the report would be submitted to the North Canterbury Board first.