NEW HOSPITAL WARDS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19389, 26 July 1926, Page 11

NEW HOSPITAL WARDS.

THE OPENING CEREMONY.

GROWTH OF INSTITUTION. LOCAL BODIES AND LEVIES. The new wards at the 'Auckland Hospital, known as the Wallace Wards, were officially opened yesterday afternoon by the Minister of Health, Hon. J. A. Young. The function attracted a large attendance of the general public, and there was very free acceptance of the invitation to inspect the handsome and well-appointed building after the doors had been opened by the Minister. The fine wither made it possible to conduct the ceremony out of doors and additional pleasure was to the gathering by the presence of the Waterside Workers* Band, which rendered a short programme of music. The official guests included members of the Hospital Board and representatives of other local bodies. After briefly welcoming tho Minister, the chairman of the board, Mr. W. Wallace, spoke of his pride in the hospital, the staff and in the work of his fellow members of the board who, he said, were out to do their best in the cause of suffering humanity. Mr. Wallace proceeded to refer to the growth of the hospital, and. to reply to some of the charges of extravagance made against the board. Turning to the new waros he said that in them the hospital had the most up-to-date equipment [in New Zealand. He paid a tribute to the work of the contractors, Messrs. Grevatt and Son, Ltd., and all others who had been associated with the erection of the building. The Minister said he had to congratulate the people of Auckland on their hospital and on their pride in it which was evidenced by the attendance that, afternoon. Tribute was paid to the work of the medical staffs and of the nurses, tho Minister going on to remark that the co-operation of all the human factors was necessary in making a hospital efficient, so that it. i could give the best service to the sick and injured of the country. His aim was the development of the hospitals of the country to that end. Mr, Young continued that there had been a great deal of criticism from time to time by representatives of local bodies concerning the finding of the finances of the hospital boards, the charge being made that the local authorities were called on to find too much. The charge of 9s a day to patients, the average charge throughout the Dominion, paid just about half of the cost of the service given. The difference had to be made up by levies on local bodies and subsidies from tho Government. Mr, Young contended that the Government paid the greater part of this difference. In the year ended March 31, 1923, the Government subsidies amounted to £481,617, and the levies on local bodies, to £428,954. In 1924, the respective totals were £477,391 and £427,699, while last year the Government had contributed £550,274, and the local bodies £393,797. The Minister also pointed out that the Government paid subsidies of £ for £ on donations to hospitals, a charge which the local bodies were not called on to bear. It would be seen from the, figures quoted that the Government had a very material interest in the hospitals in tho country. At tho close of his address, Mr. Young dedicated the wards to the cause ofV humanity, and after Canon Haselden had led in prayer he officially opened tho building with a gold key which was presented to him by Mr. Wallace. The key bore an inscription suitably commemorating the occasion.