MASTERTON'S NEW HOSPITAL.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 68, 13 December 1907, Page 6

MASTERTON'S NEW HOSPITAL.

YESTERDAY'S OPENING CEREMONY. (PIIOM OUH SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT. Masterton, December 12. Masterton's new District Hospital, which was opened this afternoon by the Hon. George Fowlds, Minister for Public Health, cost £10/100. The building may be termed a monumont enterprise, industry, and self-abnegation of the district, 'for it is recorded that out of this £10,000, a third of the sum was raised by privato subscriptions and proceeds from bazaars and similar money-producing agencies. The building'is ' described as one of the finest of the kind iii the Domini'ou. Tho ceremony of oponing was witnessed ' by a largo gathoring, which included Mr.' A. W. Hogg, M.P.; Mi-. J. M. Coradine, Mayor of Masterton; Dr. Frengley, of the Health Department; and Messrs. M. Caselborg, Hugh and . Richmond lieetham, and J. Boddington, besides representatives from the various Wairarapa Hospital Boards and local bodies. There was also a largo gathering of ladies. An apology for absence was received from the rriino Minister. In welcoming the Minister, Mr. Hogg detailed tho history of the orection of the edifice, and somewhat humorously referred to the trials and tribulations which had been overcome. Mr. Fowlds said the people of Masterton had every reason to' be proud of their effort in this direction of helping to make provision for tho sick and suffering of every description. Referring to the fine structure, the Minister said tliat -we had come torealise that the buildings of twenty-five years ago were imperfect to-day. The new building, when in work, would be found one of the most complete and best-equipped hospitals in the Dominion.' it was in a measure due to the forethought of tho early settlers that such a reserve" as that on which the hospital was situated was placed at the disposal of ' the Trustees. The institution would be of lasting benefit, and it would bo some time before the buildings required expansion. In looking over tho structure lie had noticed that provision had been made for an infec--tious diseases hospital," but there was ono other thing he had noticed —that was that no provision bad been made for consumptive cases. Mr. Fowlds declared that there was more reason' why consumptives should be admitted into a general hospital than those suffering from other diseases,.because, in the latter case the patients themselves were often in fault, in contrast to tho position of consumptives. He hoped that it would not bo long before something was done in this matter. Wo were making a great fight against tubercular disease, and lie thought it would not be long before it was regarded as eradicablo in Now Zealand. The Minister then declared tho Hospital open, and said that tho people of Masterton had dono credit to themselves in erecting it. Tho building was then throwtf open to tho public. The new hospital is one of the latest and most modern in design in tho Dominion. It is built on tlio pavilion and corridor plan now in vogue in larger world's centres, levory portion being a separate entity dissevered by corridors, and constructed in such a manner that the building may be added to without* any of tho present portions having to bo pulled down. The building was commenced in September, 1006, and completed last month. There are three wards, which will accommodate 24 patients. The architects were Messrs. Crichton and M'Kay, of AVellitigton, and Mr. John Rose was Clerk of tho WorksJ and Messrs. Coradine and Whittaker builders. Tho building cost' £9000, t.he furniture £900, the, septic tank, drainage, water, roading, and fencing another £500, totpl, £10,400. Tho patients will be shifted into the new structure from the present old building some time early in January.