TAPAWERA NEEDS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LVI, 2 August 1922, Page 4

TAPAWERA NEEDS

MEDICAL SERVICE URGED

DEPUTATION TO HOSPITAL BOARD

A deputation from the Tadmor Farmers’ Union, consisting, of Messrs A. Drummond, and K. if. Goodall, waited on the Hospital Board with a request that assistance be given to establish a medical service for the district.

Mr Goodhall, in introducing th© subject, said it was hoped tha.t a resident doctor could be procured for the. Tapawora district. The first thing, so far as could be seen, was to secure a residence for a medical man. The district was a big one, and the nearest doctor was at Wakefield. Within the last eighteen mouths two deaths had occurred in tin* district owing to no medical man being available. Mr Goodhall went on to say that tiie Tin ion hoped the Board would .assist them in purchasing the residence of the late Dr. Hudson, which could bo purchased for a reasonable sum, and was in every way suitable. The settlers of the district would be prepared to subsidise the salary of a medical doctor, providing the ’Board would acquire the residence. The- chairman said that it would mean additional rating and additional expenditure, and he mentioned that the administration of the Board .had been the subject of considerable criticism from the farming community. In reply to the chairman, Air Goodhall said he was unable to say at the moment what the population of the district was, or the rateable value. The chairman suggested that if the Union advertised for a medical man and promised a subsidy, it might prove effective, and perhaps the doctor could arrange to take the residence. The chairman further stated that tlie Board had already made its committments for the year. Air Goodhall’ said so far a canvass had not been made of -the district. Air Drummond thought a guarantee of £2OO a year could ho obtained. The chairman thought that if £3OO could be raised and handed over to the Board, it would be subsidised by the Board, and a salary of £6OO could be offered to a medical, man until ho was established—say in three years. In the course of further discussion, the chairman held out little hope that the Board would purchase the residence as suggested by the deputation.

The deputation then withdrew on the understanding that steps would bo taken to form a medical association.

No resolution was passed, but the Board will consider the matter on the lines suggested when further information is supplied.