WAIHI HOSPITAL INQUIRY COMMISSION.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 11876, 30 January 1902, Page 6

WAIHI HOSPITAL INQUIRY COMMISSION.

("BY TELEGRAPH.—OWN CORRESPONDENT.] Waihi, Wednesday. The Waihi Hospital Commission opened its sittings at Waikino at nine o'clock this morning, before Mr. R. S. Bush, fa.M. (chairman), Mr. N. Kenny, and Father Brodie. Sam. G. E. Eraser deposed that ho was a five years resident in Waikino, and was personally interested in the hospital question. Two years ago, in August, 1899, the Paeroa people called delegates together at Karangahake.'when it was decided to institute a hospital at Waikino. Messrs. Benge and Stewart took part in the discussion, representing Waihi and Katikati respective}}'. Mr. Benge aided in the selection of a site. Dr. Wright, the then medical practitioner of Waihi, also approved of the site. The sum of £23 13s collected was handed over to Mr. Bongo for tho purpose of the hospital at Waikino. After that great apathy was shown. Waikino was chosen in preference to Waihi on account of the latter place being too dusty, and in an elevated position. Tho former was greatly in its favour. By Mr. Baumo: some 300 or 400 men were employed by the Waihi Company at Waikino, who were, of course, dependent upon the mining industry at Waihi. Waihi must increase in a larger proportion than Waikino. lie was not advocating Waikino from any selfish motives, but was recognising the claims of the surrounding districts, including Paeroa. There was neither resident doctor nor surgeon at Waikino. A medical man pays visits once or twice a week. There was a want at Waikino of a branch hospital under the Thames Board. It was the intention of the people of Waikino to meet the maintenance of the hospital by public subscriptions. The hospital was no use without the house surgeon. They had something over £100 in hand towards the hospital fund. It was first proposed to have a separate hospital district apart altogether from the Thames. / It was not absolutely necessary to build a hospital for Waihi in Waihi itself. Tho Government hospital reserve at Waikino has been spoilt for the purpose through tho smoke and dust from the Victoria battery blowing right over it. Tho proposed new hospital site at Waikino was a portion of Heitman's freehold, on the hill above the township. A hospital, if erected at Waihi, would not be convenient for Karangahake or Waitekauri. Paeroa would be the most central for the Ohinemuri hospital, if the Thames hospital was not taken into consideration in regard to the recent enlargement of the same: ■ H. L. Snow, proprietor of the Golden Age, said lie had beon in _the district some four years, and always thought Waikino should bo the hospital centre for the district. Prom Waitckauri patients could be more easily removed to Waikino than Waihi. He had always advocated tho establishment of a largo central hospital, but in the case of a hospital being established at Waihi or Waikino ho would prefer the former. Ho believed the Thames Hospital Board's proposition to erect a cottage hospital and eight bods at Waikino to be better than the Waihi Hospital. He believed in a separate hospital district for Ohinemuri; in preference to all other courses. A central hospital, properly equipped, would be far better than smaller ones, which were a mistake. Henry William Guthrie deposed that some £70 had been collected for a central or county hospital at Waikino, and, as one, of tho trustees, ho was prepared to give it towards an eight-bed branch hospital at Waikino. He would rather have a small hospital at Waikino than a 40-bed hospital at Waihi. Arthur Wyld, Waikino, disagreed with the action of the Waihi delegates abandoning the project for a central hospital. Eightythree pounds had beon collected, and promised, towards a branch hospital at Waikino, £40 of which was actually in hand, and other moneys were promised by friendly societies, approving of Waikino as a hospital site. Waihi would benefit by the hospital at Waikino, owing to the unhealthy state of tho former. His opinion was that the hospital should not be placed in the centre of population. The local Druids have a medical man, who visits Waikino five times a week, this being tho centre of his district, which includes Karangahake. He did not think Waihi should have a hospital, even if paying for it. He never advocated separation from the Thames Hospital Board. Mr. Pearce Grace, of Waitekauri, a member of the Oddfellows' and of the Miners' Union, said he thought that the hospital should be erected in a central position, Waikino being the most suitable. He was not prepared to say there should not be a hospital at Waihi, considering the population there. He would prefer going to the Thames Hospital, 37 miles, than to Waihi, seven miles' distant, from Waitekauri. Thomas Kcohaii, Waikino, chairman of tho local branch of tho Thai/res Miners' Union, said a resolution had been passed in favour of Waikino as the best hospital site, being the most central position in the distnot. Waihi could make use of tho Waikino hospital. Waihi would not bo a good place for a hospital owing to the dust. _ F. Heyward, resident at Waikino, Wm. Morgan, mine manager, Waitekauri, were also examined. This concluded the evidence of the objectors, and tho Chairman announced an adjournment to Waihi at half-past nine a.m. on Thursday. The Commissioners, counsel, press representatives, etc., visited the proposed new hospital site, adjoining tho Olunemuri syndicate's ground at Waikino, afterwards proceeding to Waihi.