TREATMENT OF CONSUMPTIVES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LI, Issue 15562, 20 March 1914, Page 4

TREATMENT OF CONSUMPTIVES.

Sir,—l am pleased to note that Mr. E. H. Potter still takes an interest in this question and he is entitled to a reply to his statement that I did not set forth the position as it was left by the previous board, which had made all arrangements to proceed with the erection of a sanatorium at Tamaki. He also adds "but for some reason or other the new board did not proceed with this project " Naturally, when the new members took up the work they made an investigation as to the desirability, or otherwise, of proceeding with the previous board's scheme of building a sanatorium on the Tamaki site. There was a considerable divergence of opinion as to whether this was the right course to pursue, so the In-spector-General went with me to examine the site, and was very considerably astonished at the position of the site as selected by the old board. He expected to find the site chosen to be in close proximity to the Knox Home for incurables, and had thought it to be possible that the two institutions might be managed by the one staff— is, one medical officer, one manager or matron, and one engineer to run both institutions. When he found this to be impossible and the site otherwise so unsuitable he very wisely took time to give the matter further consideration. After this the whole of the members of the new board visited the place and the conclusion arrived at was that the site was a most unsuitable one, would be a very expensive one to build upon, was subject to prevailing fogs that at certain times spread over the estuary of the Tamaki River, and that anv sanatorium built there would be a most expensive institution to carry on for the number of patients we have to provide for (say about 35). A motion something to this effect was carried by the board, and the matter deferred for" further consideration. In conclusion, I may say that a committee of the board is now collecting further information on the subject in view of the Government's decision to extend and improve the sanatorium at Maungakawa. J. M. Mennie.

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