Commission in Northland

Northern Advocate, 27 August 1947, Page 4

Commission in Northland

Hospital Amalgamation

The Local Government Commission considers investigation into amalgamation of the six Northern hospital board districts as one of its first major inquiries,” said the secretary of the commission (Mr F. B. Stephens), speaking from Auckland in a telephone interview with the Northern Advocate today.

This subject was one of three set down for first consideration by the Parliamentary Select Committee. “Prior to its public hearing the commission will devote a week to inspecting hospitals and local conditions in various Northland areas,” he said. “It will sit at Kaikohe Courthouse on October 22, 23, and 24, the subject then being confined to hospital amalgamation. “Kaikohe has been chosen as the geographical centre of the hospital districts affected.

“It is not proposed on this occasion to sit at Whangarei, although the commission will investigate aspects of the question there. “The commission realises that there are other fairly pressing problems current in Northland and will take the opportunity of looking into them while it is in the district.

“It has adopted the principle of carefully surveying all problems on the spot before considering maps, tables, and evidence.

“One matter which will receive attention is the proposed absorption in Whangarei borough of land in the Morningside locality which is now part of the county. “Very shortly an investigating Officer fully authorised to collect all factual information which the commission deems necessary will commence work in Northland. “This will enable the commission to be fully appraised technical facts, and, at the public hearing if evidence is challenged, it will be able, if necessary, to~~put its own man into the witness box to furnish practical details.”