INFECTIOUS DISEASES HOSPITAL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 11952, 29 April 1902, Page 3

INFECTIOUS DISEASES HOSPITAL.

CONFERENCE OF LOCAL BODIES,

MODUS OPERANDI SETTLED.

At the City Council Chambers yesterday morning about 30 representatives from local bodies in and around Auckland met Dr. .1. Malcolm Mason, the chief health officer for the colony, and discussed the question of the erection of an infectious diseases hospital. His Worship the Mayor of Auckland (Mr. Alfred, Kick!) presided. Dr. R. H. Makgill (district health officer) and Dr. Moir (city health officer) were present. Mr. Kidd paid the loss time they lost in erecting- a hospital the better.- He did not think there would be any need for such a building just now, but there was no telling what might happen, and it was only right they should be prepared. He pointed out that it was impossible for one, or two bodies to erect the building. Ho moved, " That this meeting affirms the absolute necessity of at once proceeding; with the erection of a hospital for the reception of cases of infectious, diseases." He considered that all the districts- should bear the burden of payment, and when it was spread over the lot the amount would not be large. Mr. ii. T. Warnook (Grey Lynn) seconded. Dr. Mason explained that the Public Health Act gave him power to deal with this matter without consulting the local bodies, but he always preferred to consult them, as they were conversant with the various localities. The law-required that the district in which a case of infectious disease arose should make provision for such case, but that would mean hospitals all over the place. The chief medical officer, however, had power to join two or more local bodies into one area, and ho would suggest that that be done. The present state of things should not be allowed to continue. Whenever a suspicious case occurred the authorities were at great inconvenience for accommodation, and the sooner an end was put to that sort of thing the better. He considered that the system of rating adopted by the Hospital and Charitable Aid Board was the proper way to secure funds for this hospital, and he would suggest that the district be the same as the district under the jurisdiction of the Hoard. Mr. C. Bagley (Epsom) asked for information as to financing the cost of the hospital. The Mayor replied that the amount would be very small when distributed over all the local bodies

Mr. A. Sturges (Otahnhu) wanted to know what the probable cost of the hospital would be.

Dr. Mason, wlio could not say the exact sum, did not think it would bo very greet. lis would suggest that the hospital should bo of the pavilion style, so that if could be added lo an necessity arose. He strongly advocated that tho hospital should be well isolated.

Mr. Morton: Not in the Domain. Dr. Mason said it was never intended that the buildings in (he Domain should bo permanent. Tf they would build the hospital now proposed lie would undertake to have the Domain buildings removed. Mr. J. Bouskill (Mount Albert) wanted to know li the proposal would increase the hospital and charitable aid rate. The Mayor pointed out that the two proposals wore separate. Mr. C. Bagley (Epsom) thought the delegates were all willing that the different local ladies should be rated, but lie would like to knew who was going to spend the money. The Mayor said he had a motion on that point, and would move it later. The main thing at present was not to lose time. In answer to further questions, Dr. Mason stated that under tho Act the Government gave a £ for £ subsidy for the erection of tho hospital. The administrative part would be in brick, but some of the wards could bo built of wood.

The motion was carried unanimously. The Mayor then moved, "That in order to expedite matters the chief health officer be asked to exercise the power vested in him by the Public Health Act and proclaim the hospital and charitable aid district as an area for the purpose of establishing an infectious diseases hospital." His 'Worship exnlained that there were 51 local bodies in the district.

This motion was unanimously adopted also. «ml r " If. Campbell (Mayor of Parried) moved] That in the opinion of this meeting the temporary plague hospital in the Domain ought to be removed, and that the Health Department be requested to undertake forthwith the erection of a hospital for infectious diseases for the Auckland district hospital area tho site to bo selected by the chief health office! and » sub-committee of those present; that the proposed plans be submitted for tho consideration of such sub-commit, toe; and that the same sub-committee prepare a scheme as a basis of agreement for alocatmg the cost between the contributing bodies, and that this resolution lie submitted to the respective local bodies." One of the delegates suggested that subnutting the resolution to the various local bodies might mean a delay, but Mr. Campbell said it was merely a matter of form. Ho had no doubt all the local bodies would agree. By his motion he did not intend that there should bo any delay, but that the sub-corn-mittee should get to work at once. Dr. Mason said the slightest delay would be criminal. He did not wish to create unnecessary alarm, because there was no need for it, but. he could assure the conference there was an absolute necessity for erecting the hospital. a Tho motion was carried without dissent, arid it-was agreed that, tho subcommittee should consist of Messrs. A. Kidd (Auckland) K. P. Warnoek (Grey Lynn). E. Morton (One! tree Hill), H. Campbell (fame!!), and A. Bruce (Waitemata County Council). Mr. .1. Stichhury (chairman of the Charitable Aid Board) suggested that when the hos pita] was erected it, could be more economically administered by the Hospital and Charitable Aid Board than by placing ,t under a separate, board. " The sub-committee met subsequently and discussed several sites for the hospital 'ind it was resolved to leave the final selection in the hands of Dr. Mason, who also undertook to prepare plans and submit them to the committee at an early date.