WAIPARA HOSPITAL.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVII, Issue 17903, 24 September 1918, Page 7

WAIPARA HOSPITAL.

MARKING OUT THE SITE.

MEMORIAL OAKS PLANTED.

Tho proposal to erect a cottage hospital in tho Waipara County proved a much vexed question, a section of the ratepayers being opposed .to tho whole project on tho ground of unnecessary expenditure of county revenue, whilst amongst others thero was a difference of opinion as to the locality of tho institution, some favouring Waikari and other? Waipara. Eventually, however, the matter was settled by the selection of a site at Waikari. The site chosen is between two and three acres in extent, about two minutes’ walk from

tho railway station, on a sunny slope with a northerly aspect,, at. the foot of the hills which rise to a considerable height and will afford shelter from the south-westers. The main building itself will have a frontage of 127 ft and a depth of 40ft, and will contain three spacious maternity wards and *wo casualty wards, with an operating room nnd all neoessary. accommodation io, tho staff. Tho estimated cost of the building, for which tenders have not /eb been invited, is in tho neighhourlood of £4OOO, which it is understood ’.ill be provided by the Government, Jaunty Council and Hospital Board in me-third shares. Yesterday Mr F. Horrell, chairman jf the North Canterbury Hospital Board, Messrs 11. J. Otley, 11. B. ipfensan, F. G. Norton and 1). M’lviiiian, members of the board’s Finance Committee, Mr W. 8. Wharton, secretary to the hoard, and Mr J. J. Collins, architect of tho proposed hospital' building, visited Waikari for tho purpose of marking out the site of tire foundations of the building. The Hon R. Moore, M'.L.C., and Mr R. Evrfns. chairman of tho Waipara County Council, wers also with the party, which was met at Waikari by Mr H. Holland, chairman, and other members of the District Medical and Hospital Committee, and entertained at lunch at the County Council Chambers. Before tho arrival of tho visitors the district school children, under the supervision of the Medical and Hospital Counuictce, held a combined Dominion Day and Arbor Day celebration, and planted a belt of trees round the hospital site, most of the trees having been provided by the children. After lunch an adjournment was made to the site, and the ceremony of planting four memorial oaks was carried out, one each being planted by 4 Mrs ,T. Armstrong, one of the oldest inhabitants of the district, Mr F. Horrell for the Hospital -1 Board, Mar R. - Evans for the County Council, and the Hoii It. Moore for Mr G. W. Forbes, M.P., who was unable to be’present. The site of the building was then pegged out, and the visitors were afterwards entertained at afternoon tea in the soldiers’ memorial hall.

During the day's proceedings several brief speeches were made,' mostly of a congratulatory character, regarding the establishment -of th© hospital, the hope being expressed that the maternity wards would bo always occupied and tiie casualty wards empty. The Medical and Hospital Committee, which was responsible for the day’s arrangements, was accorded hearty thanks for its hospitality.

MEETING AT OMIHI.

REFERENDUM ON PROPOSAL AVANTEDi

Considerable opposition to the scheme is shown at Omiiii. On Thursday evening a largely attended meeting- was held Mr T. Roberts, Mr N. Campbell and Mr AV. Lutch addressed the meeting on the question, and asked Mr D ° Doak, representative of the Waipara riding on the council, to resign and contest the seat on the hospital issue. Mr Do'iik made a vigorous reply. The following resolution, moved by Mr AY. AY. Foster and seconded by Mr A. Love, was carried unanimously:— “ That this meeting of Waipara riding ratepayers has evory confidence in Mr Doak as its representative, and considers that his actions Te the hospital were quite justified according to the meeting held hero on tho matter.” The following resolution, moved by Mr N. Campbell and seconded by Mr S. Burrowes, was also carried unanimously:—"That this meeting of ratepayers is strongly in favour of a general referendum of the county with reference to the proposed AVaikan Hospital;”