PATIENTS IN SHELTERS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19254, 17 February 1926, Page 13

PATIENTS IN SHELTERS.

EPSOM RESIDENTS PROTEST. REQUEST MADE FOR REMOVAL. INTERESTS OF PUBLIC: HEALTH. The position regarding the T.B. patients at the Auckland Infirmary at Epsom was a subject introduced to the Hospital Board last evening by a deputation representing residents near the infirmary. Mr. F. M. Winstone presented a petition signed by every property-owner and resident in close proximity to the infirmary. It wais considered that, owing to the close sett lenient of tli© district, the shelters should be moved to a less populated locality. This was considered necessary in the interests of public health and of the children of the district. The petitioners also vigorously "protested against the removal of the soldier patients in the Domain to Epsom, and pretested against any increase in the number of patients at present housed at Epsom. Mr. Winstone said it was; the. custom of some of the patients to walk beyond the grounds, and there was a risk to children who were in the habit of playing nearby. The chairman. Mr. W. Wallace, said that so far the board knew nothing about a proposal to remove the soldier patients from the Domain to Epsom. The board had received no notification from the City Council that it wanted the men removed. The matters brought*up lay the deputation, however, would receive careful consideration. After the deputation had retired, Mr. S. J. Harbutt said the board had a large number of shelters p,t Epsom, and the time was not opportune for them to be moved to another place. However, the board should protect itself against more patients going to- Epsom. The residents would like an assurance that no more shelters would be erected at Epsom. He moved that the board should decide that no further shelters should be erected in the infirmary grounds. Mr. J. Dempsey said he thought that in the interests of the public and the patients themselves, the .shelters should be in a different place';, However, the board had to cater for these patients, and had to do its best for them under existing conditions. The chairman remarked that land had been bought at Manurev.a for the very purpose of accommodating such patients, Mr. Harbutt's motion was not seconded, and it was decided to refer the matter to the Finance Committee and the medical superintendents.