PUBLIC MEETING.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume XX, Issue 2363, 28 February 1893, Page 2

PUBLIC MEETING.

DISTRICT HOSPITAL.

A meeting was held on Monday evening, in the Borough Chambers, for the purpose of organising measures to proceed with the erection of a district hospital in Hawera.

The Mayoi (Mr Major) was in the chair, and opened proceedings by reading a letter from Mr McGuire, M.H.R., apologising for his absenoe, expressing his entire sympathy with the movement, and promising hearty support. The Mayor went on to say that it vVas felt- that the time bad arrived when there should be a properly equipped hospital at Hawera, as a convenient distance between tbe two large institutions — one at Wanganui ana the other at New Plymouth. They looked to get a hospital properly equipped, and tbe present time seemed to afford an opportunity whiob should be embraced. If we could not get a hospital built in prosperous times, it would not be possible to do co if dark days should come. They were in a good financial position, because there was the Mitchell bequest, which now amounted to £300 ; and tins with tbe Government subsidy wouia bring up the total to £600, in addition to which there would be tbe money to be raised by voluntary subscriptions, and from other sources to be proposed later on. So that they ought to be able to make a start. (Applause.) He thought they might expect to have to spend £1000 or £1250, and ereot a substantial edifice — one with every accommodation, ana one that the, inhabitants of tbe district could feel proud of. Then, when the building was erected, the Charitable Aid Board wouia properly equip it and furnish it. This was a concession on the part of the board for which tbe people in tbis district mast be thankful. They would have noticea by the Hawera. Star that one of their publioepirited citizens — it was a pity we had not more — had most generously given a site for tbe hospital, and tbis would help on the project most materially. It was only in possession ot such publicspirited and philantropio citizens that a State couia hope to prosper. (Applause.) He called on Mr Parkinson to move the first resolution. Mr. W. A. Parkinson said he had very great pleasure in complying with the request to move the following resolution :— 11 That the erection of a District Hospital be at once proceeded with." As the Mayor had said, they had a very gooa start in the matter of means. They bad had a band-

some sum given them by Mrs. Stevenson

in memory of the late Mr. Mitchell, the Hospital Board haa made a most encouraging promise, ana now Mr. Fantham had very generously given a fine site. If

people who were so liberally helped would not help themselves then they did not deserve tbe assistance that bad been offered. No doubt it was to the interest of the borough to get an institution of tbe kind, hut it would alßo be of advantage to the whole county to have an efficient institution open for those who met with acciaents or were aesirous of seeking the skill ana attention which nowhere could be better supplied than at a good hospital. It was also worthy of consideration that before long there wouia probably be fresh legislation on the subject of hospital ana charitable aid ; and a district possessing a well-built ana well-equippea hospital would probably gefc more consideration in respect of powers of self-government than a district which haa not been proviaea with each an institution. Therefore he thought his resolution wouia meet with ready acceptance. (Applause.) Mr. A. A. Fantham, who was heartily applauded, seconded the motion with ma oh pleasure. It was very necessary to have such an institution for tbe relief and treatment of the sick ; and further, he believea, with all due respect to the present medical men, that an efficient hospital always tended to improve the medical skill at the command of the district. The most capable doctors could not keep pace with the times unless they haa gooa practice. In that respect he thought the hospital wouia be a benefit to the whole district. As to tbe site he haa offered, he could only say that if a better site oould be obtained it should be had, and he had made the offer, hoping that other persons would also offer sites, and that a choice would then be made. He thought that any person who had a good site ought either to give it or to sell it as cheaply as possible. A committee ought to be appointed, and if they could get a better Bite they Bhould take it, ana if they found one he would be qoite willing to give, instead of the land offered, the value of that land as it might be fairly assessed by any two larmers. (Loud applause.) Mr. J. W. Scott heartily supported the motion, considering that this was a very favorable time for making a start. As member of the Charitable Aid Boara he wouia do anything he could, and he was quite certain that if it were taken up heartily, there would be sufficient public spirit to carry it through successfully. As to the site, he aid not think a better one could be obtained than that offered by Mr. Fantham, for it was near to tbe railway, and was, in many respects, not to be beaten as to position and convenience. Mr. Davidson referred to the various efforts that had been made for some time past by the Borough Council to raise ways and means to get a local hospital, and he also mentioned that a committee from the Charitable Aid Board had looked around Hawera and had not been able to find a site that was extraordinarily suitable. There was one borough reserve which would have done very well, bat it could not be used unless a Bpecial Act of Parliament was obtained to allow of it being so used. There was one site down Mr. Mason's way, but the moment Mr. Heslop haa told him of tbe offer of this site of Mr. Fantham's he had come to the conclusion that it was the' best site the borough could possibly have. It was within the limits of distance as laid down by Mrs. Stevenson's deed ofgift.it was within easy distance of Normanby, and Wai mate, and the railway station. It could not be bettered, and they should at once aocept Mr. Fantham's offer with gratitude. (Applause.) The Mayor, in putting the resolution, thought Mr. Fantham had enhanced the value of bis gift by the manner in which he bad spoken of tbe matter that evening. Motion agreed to.

Mr. Heslop moved, " That this meeting heartily thanks A. A. Fantham, Esq., for his valuable gift, considers the site most , suitable, and recommends that the terms of the donor be carried ont." When it was suggestea to him that this would be a suitable site he thought that as an oia friena of Mr. Fantbam's be wduia wait upou him ana see if he wouia give it. He ha 3 not been ten minutes in Mr. Fantbam's company before be generously said he would give two acres, and the gift was most willing and hearty. The conaitions were very simple and liberal. The land was fenced on two sides, and the committee would simply have to fenoe it on the other two siaes. The only other condition was that the hospital should be commenced within a year of tbe transfer of tbe land. With the money in hand and the prospect of more being raised easily, ana a generous gift like this from a big-heartea settler, it only remaine3 for tbe people to put their shoulder to the wheel to have tbe projeos carried out. (Applause.)

Mr. B. G. Bobbins, in seconding tbe motion, eaid be did bo with great pleasure, for tbe gift was really a grand one. For his part he was very much surprised to hear it, and if settlers and townspeople did not come forward and back up this noble gift it would be a standing disgrace

to the whole district. But he had no doubt that a sentiment wouia go forth from that meeting which would ensure the Buccess of the movement. (Applause.) Motion agreed to.

Mr. Fantham thanked the meeting for the manner in which the gift baa been received, ana said the survey could be oommenced any time. As to the cost of the survey he did not know whether he wouia be expected to bear that, but he had no doubt that if Mr. Climie were spoken to he would do the work pretty well free of cost. ,

The Mayor saia he was sure they wouia not ask Mr. Fantham to bear any of the cost.

Mr Brunette said that the next question was of ways and means. He was glad to hear that it was expected £1200 would be raised, and he thought that it would not be too great a sum to collect. He had had this matter at heart for some time when in the Borough Gouncil, and he had suggested a scheme for hold* ing an industrial exhibition. Part of this was an appeal to the tradespeople to exhibit, and at the termination of the exhibition to let their exhibits be sold for the ben< fit of the hospital. No doubt many of the farmers would give cattle. He moved that an industrial exhibition be held to raise funds for the hosmtal.

Mr Davidson seconded. It was a good and novel way, and he had no doubt it would be successful.

Mr Fantbam suggested that if each of the auctioneers was requested to ask for donations of stock, he would do so. Like himself, most auctioneers were bashful, and would hardly like to make an appeal unless duly requested to do so.

The Mayor thought the suggestion a valuable one, and said it would be acted upon.

Mr J. W. SeoH moved that a committee consisting of the following gentlemen be appointed to carry the same into effect ;— The Mpyor, Messrs Forsyth, J. Livingston, J. Healop, J. W. Scott, J. Brunette, W. A. Parkinson, J. Davidson, W. G. White, Oaplen, H. Whittington, A. A. Fantham, John Mason, T. Twigg, F. 7. Lysaght, E. H. Godsal, M. 0. O'Oonnell. E. H. Nolan, J. W. Kelly, B, C. Bobbins, and the chairmen of the local bodies throughout the district, with power to add to their number.

On the motion of Mr F. V. Lysaght and Mr Brunette, it was decided that Mr Brett be appointed secretary, with power to employ the clerical assistance necessary.