PLAINS OBJECT

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume 58, Issue 4172, 12 August 1949, Page 5

PLAINS OBJECT

HOSPITAL LOAN SITE NOT SUITABLE POSITION AT THAMES OPINIONS OF COUNCILLORS Notice of its intention to apply to the Local Government Loans Board for authority to borrow £184,000 for commencing the first portion of its scheme for rebuilding the Thames hospital was given by the Thames Hospital Board in a letter which came before the August meeting -of the Hauraki Plains County Council. Opposition to the proposal to rebuild Hie Thames hospital was voiced by Mr A. J. Whiteside, 102 Karaka road, Thames, in the following letter to the council:— “I have been informed that the Thames Hospital Board are seeking the co-operation of your council to borrow money to close a street in Thames for building purposes and I consider 1 there are certain facts which four council should consider before granting this request.

“That Thames was proclaimed a bankrupt town until its debts were paid shod no bankrupt is allowed to

Borrow money until its debts are paid. The money for the harbour scheme remains impaid. “This street,.called'Mackay street, honourably belongs to the Maoris and »t to thf Thames Borough Council as palmed, as the Maoris gave this land en each side of the street for hospitals on condition that the road between remained their property and was kept til order by the Thames Borough Council.

“This land is unfit for a hospital aito as,the sewage water backs on to ft, making it unhealthy.

, ( u Firstly, the Thames hospital canloot be properly staffed with nhrses at present without increasing the responsibility/’ concluded the letter. Severe criticism was voiced by Cr. D, G. McMillan regarding the preseat site' of the hospital. He described the present site as “ de* pressing ” and he urged that steps be taken to rectify the position before more money was spent. There were, ho said, many desir- ■ able sites for a hospital in Thames and he Mt that no more money shonld be spent on the present site. ' Be moved that the council protest agatat the proposal to retain the present site in Thames for a hos/fftat ' •The chairman,Mr C. W. Parfitt, who *le |doo a member of the Thames Hospital Bonrd, stated that the reason for wptatyifac, the present site was be«Mtooe the present hospital could be used while the improvements were being carried out. He considered that the outlook, as far as the patients ( Ws|re concerned, would be bettor as the "'.'•wands would be on the second floor ayd patients would be able to look out ever tiie sea. Other councillors also expressed opposition to the present site of the hospital and it was decided to \ write oMocting to the raising of the Joan 1 because of the unsuit-' ability of the present site of the hospital.