OTAKI HOSPITAL.

Horowhenua Chronicle, 17 June 1929, Page 7

OTAKI HOSPITAL.

OFFICIAL EE-OPENING. ¥ISIT BY THE MINISTER OF HEALTH. /" ' 1 The Otaki hospital, which has been ev■•closed- to the general public for some - considerable time and which has been the means of stirring the Otaki and district residents into a state of activity for many months past, was re-opened on Wednesday. Despite the very heavy rain there was an attendance of about seventy persons, chief among the number being the Hon. A. ,J. Stallworthy, Minister of Others present were Mr. J. K. Hornslow (chairman of the Palmerston North Hospital Board), Messrs P. J. Ryder, L. T. McLean, G. P. Catloy (members of the Board), Mr. L. al. Luke (chairman of the Wellington Hospital Board), Mr. C. F. Atmore (Mayor of Otaki), Miss Evans (the mew matron), Dr. Milne, members of the "•Citizens''Committee and Borough Coun- ‘ ail, and Mr PMllipps (secretary of the Palmerston North Board). Apologies for absence were received from Messrs W. H. Field, Nash, and Linklater, M.'sP., Mesdames Abraham and Mansford (members of the Palmerston North Board); Messrs Monk (chairman of the. local Committee), J. P. Brandon Herbert Freeman (one of the first on the Otaki Hospital Committee) and Miss Scaly, for many years matron of ■the hospital, and the Hon. Ngata. - Mr. Hornblow presided, and in his opening remarks regretted that the weather was so inclement as it had been decided to hold the opening ceremony outside. On behalf of the Board he extended a hearty welcome to the Minister of Health, to their old friend, Mr. C. M. Luke (chairman of the Wellington Hospital Board), • and to Mr. Atmore (Mayor of Otaki -■who had, stated Mr. Hornblow, taken a keen interest in the re-opo«-

ing. Mr. Homblow also referred feelingly to the loss sustained by the death of Sir James Wilson, and the loss sustained by Mr. Alonk owing to the death of his son. At his request a motion of condolence was passed, all silently standing. The late Sir James, stated Air. Homblow, had taken a ■very keen interest in this district and in the Otaki hospital in particular, and his last letter was in connection with the institution. In connection with the hospital Air. Homblow said that he wished to clear up misunderstandings and misrepresentation. The Otaki hospital was formerly under the control «f the Wellington Hospital Board, but in 1917 the Horowhenua County and the Boroughs of Shannon, Levin and Otaki severed from the Wellington Hospital District and joined the Palmerston North District. At that time the Qtaki Sanatorium and the Otaki Hospital were being administered by the Health Department under that Departments scheme tor treatment or ie* .turned sick and wonncicd soldiois. An arrangement was entered into between ..the Health Department and the Palmerston North Hospital Board that .the Board would nay to the Department 9s per diem for. adult and 4s bd per diem for children civilian patients . admitted from the Palm-r.-don North Hospital District. This arrangement did not prove a satisfaeuwy me to either the Board or the Department. .The Board had great difficulty in collecting a reasonable proportion of the fees from the patients and the Depait ment was not collecting from the Board the full cost of treatment. With a. view to having matters placed on a more satisfactory basis and to avoid the hospital at Otaki being used almost as an Old Alan’s Home, the Board, ;some four years ago. withdrew Ls gnu** antcc of foes. The Department, w.nc i was then faced with a levs of £2i'ffi) a year on the Otaki hospital, pressed the Board to take over the institution and run it. This the Board was most reluctant to do as experience had show n that apart from maternity work ana minor disorders most .cases could bo more advantageously treated in the base hospital at, Palmerston North than at Otaki. The Board further was not prepared to undertake to have major surgical work carried out at Otaki. After some controversy the Department eventually agreed to add a maternity . wing to the hospital, to renovate* the building, and the Board then agreed to take over when this had. been done and to use the hospital Tor maternity work and the treatment of medical and minor surgical cases. The institution was now being opened with this policy in view'. Air. Horuhlow thought necessary to make clear that this institution was available ' only to residents of the Palmerston North Hospital District, i.e., persons living south of the Waikanac Rivei wouiu -not be admitted except in case of accident , or emergency. ■While hospital districts existed as such, each district of course provided Tor, its own people. The ambulance stationed at Otaki would not, unless in exceptional circumstances be allowed to "o outside the'Palmerston North Hospital District to pick up patients. The Board was most anxious to see the •f ullest use made of the maternity wing. Prec advice would be given to expectant mothers and it could not be too strongly urged that intending maternity patients make the fullest use of the ante-natal advice and assistance available at this hospital. The fees for the maternity ward have been fixed on a ' low scale to help poorer families. Mr. Homblow also made brief icierenee to the work of the late Air. Venn, who had agitated ior merging into the •Palmerston North Board. He further ' Stated that he .had favoured base hospitals where better treatment could be fecured on acebunt of more up-to-date appliances. The Board had also agreed ■ to train nurses and send them out to all parts of the district and to provide . TsuTuble ambulance for taking poop* from all marts of the district without delay. Air. Homblow pointed out that there had never been *ny fcehn„ against this district, the only been too anxious to do ltsbe , for suffering humanity. admitted that the hospital, howevci, had never been a paying a* far as the Palmerston North Board was concerned, but he hoped ' 7 feeling existed between thc , ot^ la , p .,‘ pie and the Hospital Board that the hatchet would now be buried. He assured all that thc Board was desirous

of serving this district faithfully and efficiently, and stated that it was the Board’s intention to apply to the Government for an up-to-date ambulance, and he felt sure, with the Hon. Mr. Stallworthy as Minister, they would be fairly treated. Mr. Hornblow hoped that the Otaki people would take a keen interest in the hospital, and trusted that those in a position to pay for treatment would do so, and not make Tie cost of maintenance burdensome. The Otaki residents were getting something that other districts were not getting, and in return he hoped the Board would receive help which would be appreciated. In apologising for the absence of Mr. Field, Mr. Hdrnblow regretted that this gentleman was unable to be present as he had always exhibited a keen interest in the institution. He also regretted the absence of Mr. Brandon and Mr. Freeman. The Tatter had been associated with the institution for vears past. Mr. Hornblow then read the following letter from Miss E. M. Scaly, addressed to Mr. A. J. Phillipps (Secretary of Board); "Dear Sir, Would you convey to your Board my appreciation of their so kindly thinkmo- to invito me to the re-opening ot the Otaki hospital. There is no one more pleased than X am to hear that the little hospital is to resume its former useful work, and also that the longfelt want for a maternity ward was to be fulfilled. I much regret that I am unable to come to Otaki to be present at the ceremony, but I send my best wishes for the success of the good work," Mr. Hornblow, who concluded his remarks amidst applause, then called upon Mr. Atmore to accord the Hon. Mr. Stallworthy a civic welcome. Mr. Atmore said, on behalf of the Borough Council and the residents ot o'taki,°he had pleasure in extending a welcome to the Minister and members of the Hospital Board. It was pleasing to see all present, but he regretted that the weather had proved so unfavourable. This is, said Mi. Atmore,

n very important event in the history of Otaki. It marks the recognition bv tlie Health Department and by the Palmerston North Hospital Board of a perfectly just claim lor which "C have been strenuously contending for many vears past; a claim that, notvvithstaudino- the strong demands for the centralisation of all hospital facilities in 1 ainerston North, that this end of the district is sufficiently closely populated and Otaki is sufficiently a centre to justify the existence of a hospital hero. £he re-opening of this hospital is evidence of the recognition of that claim. The establishment of a maternity ward constitutes further recognition. A hospital is a public utility of very great importance to any district and we are very proud indeed to possess such a useful institution. In years gone by prior to 1920 the Otaki hospital rendered excellent service to the district under the efficient medical supervision of the late Dr. Huthwaitc and under the efficient nursing supervision of Matron iScaly who held the position of Matron with distinction for some 26 years until her retirement a few years ago. We wish to place bn record our appreciation of those good services. We sincerely trust that from now on this - ..itution will again render good service to the district; that the Palmerston North Hospital Board will administer it sympathetically and generously with the sole object of increasing its efficiency and usefulness; and that no further attempt will be made to curtail its activities or to close it. On behalf of the Otaki Borough Council and of all the residents of Otaki he wished to express great pleasure in attending this function and of witnessing this pleasing confirmation ot their efforts. (Applause). The non. C. M. Duke said that he was pleased to be present, and said that when he received an invitation ho immediately made up his mind to make the journey to Otaki. He regretted that their old friend, Sir James Wilson, had passed away before this occasion. Mr. Luke said that he had been a member and trustee of the_ Wellington Hospital Board since ISBS and had always thought kindly of Otaki and, its fine climate. He made mention of the splendid work done by the late Air. R. Clement Kirk, who had always exhibited a very great interest in "the hospital. If sick, said the speaker, Otaki would be the place he would like to go to as he felt that with such a lovely climate ho would soon got well. When the hospital was mooted years ago Air. Ivirk had stiongly advocated for the institution and it was largely through his endeavours that it was established. Air. Luke spoke of the interest taken in the hospital by Air. Monk and the late Air. B. R. Gardener, who were once members of the Wellington Hospital Board, and spoke of the interest taken by the late Air. Venn is having portion of the district merged into Palmerston North* Personally, he had opposed this as ho had no wish to lose old associations. Air. Luke regretted the absence of Air. Freeman, who had been a member of the Hospital Committee many years ao-o. and rcforVcd feelingly to the dcatns of Messrs Simeox and Alcßcath who had also displayed much interest in the institution. He also spoke of the fine services rendered by Matrons Rocnforte and Scaly, who could bear testimony of the good work done. Air. Luke in conclusion said the Otaki people could look to the future with confidence, and rest assured that the hospital would not suffer at the hands of the Palmerston North Board. The Otaki people were deserving of all they had got, and he urged that all take a keen interest in their institution. (Applause).

The Minister, who was received with applause, said that he was very happy to be present,. an d said the ceremony reminded him of a wedding as he was there to give away something over which there should be no regrets. He advised that differences, if any, be forgotten and that all work for the common good of the institution. The Crown, said the Minister, in 1852 had made the grant of a block of land consisting of 68 acres to the Mission Trust Board for the purpose of establishing a school, and this block included the present hospital site. In 1898 the Mission Board leased the present hospital site to the Wellington Hospital Board, and in 1899 the Otaki cottage hospital was established. In

1917 the hospital was taken over by the Government for military purposes but in 1918 Otaki became part of the Palmerston North Hospital District. The Minister expressed satisfaction at the installation, of a maternity ward, and considered the best immigrants Avere our babies. He considered the Otaki people entitled to the institution and Avas glad to see the people proud of it, glad to see the civic pride evinc-" ed, and ho hoped the institution would be a bright spot and that it avouUl be carried on to perform usefulness and bring blessing and gladness to all. He Avas pleased to hand over the institution as he knew it Avould bo avoll cherished; he handed it o\ T er Avith every confidence, knoAving all Avould do their duty. The Minister wished all every happiness and prosperity and hoped that happ}' relations Avould always exist. (Applause).

Mr. llornbloAv thanked all for kindly references and stated that the hospital would be in charge of Dr. Milne, while the matron would be Miss Evans, a well-trained officer. The staff was an efficient one, and in this tin:*, people of Otaki and district were very fortunate. Mr. Hornblow also spoke .highly of Nurse Wcreta, who look■ed after the Natives of the district, and stated that it was a Native nurse who “tipped the beam'’ in examinations. He then called on Mr. Ryder to propose a vote of thanks to the Minister.

Mr. .Ryder, in doing so, thanked the Minister for his attendance, and congratulated the chairman on his aide speech, and his reference to any misunderstandings, which he hoped now had been cleared up. The chairman, he considered, had done his duty in clearing up such matters. Mr. Ryder said that he was proud to bo a member of the Hospital Committee and trusted that the institution would be a credit to the district. The sore point with many, he said, was that the institution would be ,a costly one. and he hoped that this would bo borne in mind anl all able to do so would pay their fees. Speaking of chiropractics, Mr. Ryder said this was a matter he had studied for years and the more he saw of it the more he liked it. It was a new science but- simplicity itself, and he intended to fight for it till it got what was due to it. (Applause). Mr. McLean, seconded the motion, and said it gave him pleasure to be present. ...Cheers wore then given for the Minister, the Health Department, the Palmerston Hospital Board and its chairman. Afternoon tea was served and enjoyed, and an invitation extended to all to visit the wardi and to see the alterations and additions made.