THE HOSPITAL

Hawera Star, Volume LI, 13 October 1931, Page 8

THE HOSPITAL

Established in 1883

Very interesting from every P° in * of view is the history of the Pa tea Bos pital and the Board, both showing great public service, on the pait of the Board and also by the pubhc somc ot whom have liberally endowed the mstitUFrom the Hunter Shaw estate lias come no less than £2sso—for children.s ward, £2300; for table, £-OU, for nurses’ tennis court, £SO The hospital is a remarkably line pile of buildings standing in an ideal position. situated fairly high and with a wonderful outlook over river and valley. It is very complete and uptodate.' Dr. AV. T. Simmons is medical superintendent and with him in eooperation are a matron and statt. f 'atea is indeed fortunate in its provision for the care of the sick. The first minute book records the initial meeting on September 18, 1883, so that the Board is but two years short of its own jubilee. The members present were Messrs. R. A. Adams, W. Brewer, IV. iCowern, H. F. Christie, and W. Williams (senior), and Air Adams was appointed chairman. Dr. *K eating was appointed first surgeon to the hospital, non-resident, at £IOO p.a. He acted for a year and was succeeded by Dr. Buckby. He served three years "and then Dr. Perkin was appointed. Air. E. C. Horner was appointed secretary in 1888 and held office for over twenty years. Dr. Campbell was appointed superintendent in '1895 and served until 1908. when Dr. W. T. Simmons was appointed. fin 1887 the borough eouncil paid a quarterly subsidy, but refused to administer charitable aid and referred applicants to the Hospital Board.

PiUUX'KET SOCIETY. Patea also has a Plunket nurse and an enthusiastic committee of citizens, ■whose work is known all over Taranaki. They have the inestimable advantage of most excellent quarters, rendered possible by the munificence of the Hunter Shaw estate, left to be devoted to good works and given mostly to institutions in Patea and district. The building, which houses not only the plunket society, but also the public library, is a very handsome edifice. And it cost in all £4865. Additional grants were made for the housing of tin; citizens’ clock and for furnishings. All these are carried out in the most approved designs.