Pongaroa Hospital

Manawatu Times, Volume 63, Issue 174, 26 July 1938, Page 2

Pongaroa Hospital

RECEIVES INCREASED SUBSIDY STEPS TO OBTAIN DOCTOR A meeting of the Pongaroa Hospital committee was held last week, there being present Messrs. H. Thomas (representing Wairarapa Hospital Board), T. A. Yeoman (Akitio County), W. E. Davies, G. H. Gillam and the secretary (Mr. P. R. Kent). An apology for absence was received from the chairman, Mr. F. Herbert, owing to ill-liealth. Mr. Davies was voted to tho chair. A letter was received from the Healtn Department asking for the quarterly returns. —The secretary was instructed to forward these. The secretary reported that two local temporary nurses had been engaged until a sister-in-charge was appointed. It was decided to advertise for a doetor with an increase of the subsidy to £3OO per annum. Exception was taken to the report of a meeting of the local branch of the Farmers' Union, that lives had been lost in the district owing to the absence of a medical man, and that nothing was being done to warrant the expenditure of £4OO a year. The committee had exhausted every available means within their power to obtain medical services, but—due to the meagre subsidy formerly offered —unfortunately without success. However, the Wairarapa Hospital Board had increased the subsidy by £IOO per annum, conditionally on the district finding a similar amount, and the secretary was instructed to communicate with the Farmers' Union asking for their cordial co-operation and financial support towards offering sufficient inducement to a doctor to settle in Pongaroa.