THE NEW HOSPITAL

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LVI, 20 April 1923, Page 2

THE NEW HOSPITAL

(To the Editor.)

Sir, —I should like to add my endorsement to Mr North's remarks re tiie proposed new hospital. No one is likely to suggest that any more sick people will be cured in a new £50,000 or £60,000 building than in the present one. We of the town would like to seo a handsome new brick building, airi are entitled or perhaps under an obligation to spend the £37,000. We are, however, not entitled to ask the district to find another £20,000 for oiv adornment, which is practically whit it amounts to. The commonsense country ratepayer knows perfectly well that if his ills bring him into "hospital, it is not bricks and mortar that will cure him, but the skill of his doctors and nurses, and he believes (probably with good reason; that for practical purposes the present buiMings and equipment will suffice for some years. It is hardly necessary to point out too that the matter does not end with tho provision of an extra £15,00 of £20,000. Anyone who cares to investigate the matter will find that to run the new institution W'.il in all probability double the hospital rate tor the district for upkeep. As Mr North suggests, the money would bo much more usefully spent in'assisting Murehisoh, Motueka, TaK.'.k. and Collingwood to develop and increase the usefulness of their cottage hospitals, and so save many unfortunates tho abominable journey to town. Only those who suffer from injury or serious illness who have actually experienced the journey under these conditions can really appreciate what it means to-be spared it. Some would still need to come, but if these districts maintained a cottage, hospital with one trained nurse and a probationer, the number of patients requiring to bo sent to Nelson would be comparatively few. * I am, etc., ratepayer-

(To The- Editor). Sir, —Quite a, number of letters have from time to time appeared in your coh-mns relating to hospital matters. Mr Coltman in to-night's Mail -has put the matter of the new hospital quite clearly -before your readers. There is, however, a letter in last night's issue, signed W. B. North, which calls for a little correction. To begin with readers must know that every member of the present Board, as well as those who represented the ratepayers in the past, are ,and have been unanimous in the matter of the building of the now hospital. The full reports of meetings from month to month clearly prove this. Again Mr "North says. "The country members have vigorously and consistently protested against the scheme, but have so far been out-voted by the town members." I am quite at a loss to understand when, or who, ho means, for i'm sure that during the two and ahalf years I have been on the Hospital Beard, and I have attended every meeting, I have not heard one member speak against the new hospital. Again, the same writer states that the Waimea is to have three members and Motueka is to bo reduced to one. Motueka has been included in the County, in the samo manner as the Borough of Richmond is included with Nt-.-son City, therefore did not elect a member of its own, although two of tho sitting members for the county happen to live in Motueka Borough. It is a great pity that before they rush into print people do not make quite sure of their facte, and this can So easily be done by following up each monthly report in the local press.

.L am, etc., P. H. MOFFATT