ROTORUA HOSPITAL

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21597, 15 September 1933, Page 12

ROTORUA HOSPITAL

QUESTION OF CONTROL WAIKATO BOARD'S TERMS GRANT FOR MAINTENANCE [FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT] , HAMILTON. Thursday The Health Department's proposal that the Waikato Hospital Board should take over tho control of tho Rotorua Hospital was further considered at a meeting of tho board today. The Finance Committee submitted the following recommendations: —

That the department be informed that tho board is still firmly of opinion that the town of llotorua and district should be separated from the Waikato hospital district. That before the board considers taking over the hospital, the department's attention be drawn to the ffJlowing:—

That as there is still some doubt as to the ownership of the site, all negotiations in respect to tho board obtaining a valid lease be the responsibility of the department. Further, the department be informed that tho conditions of the lease should provide for tho right of renewal for a further term at the end of 21 years. That the department bo informed that while the board appreciates the conditions and concessions already offered in regard to taking over the full responsibilities of providing hospital facilities at Rotorua, the board considers assistance also should bo given toward the cost of maintenance, seeing that in the event of the board taking over the hospital the department will be relieved of a material annual expenditure. Further, tho board is concerned in that the increased responsibility of taking over the hospital without assistance from the Government will necessitate an increase in the levy on the local authorities. It is therefore suggested that the Government be asked to give assistance bv way of a special grant of £IOOO per annum for a period of 10 years, toward tho cost of maintenance.

That the medical superintendent confer with the Director-General and the local medical men in order that the board may be advised as to the number of beds required and the general policy of running the hospital. The committee's recommendations were adopted. PUKEROA DOMAIN CONTROL BOROUGH COUNCIL'S ATTITUDE [Br TELEGRAPH —OWN* CORRESPONDENT] ROTORUA, Thursday The Rotorua Borough Council received a report at its meeting last evening in connection with an investigation the committee had made regarding control of Pukeroa Domain. The report stated -that the area was given by the natives and was gazetted in April, 1883, as a park or domain for public use. The area was controlled until 1900 by the Rotorua Town Board and in the same year was vested in the Rotorua Town Council. It was transferred to the Tourist Department when the town council became vested in the Tourist Department. During the war the site was used for a military hospital. In 1922 control of the area was vested in the Rotorua Borough Council, and the property, assets, liabilities and rights of the department became vested in the council. The sanatorium and Government gardens were exempted from this control. The council discussed the matter in committee." Subsequently the Mayor, Mr. T. Jackson, said that the two following motions had been passed:— That the council desires to resume control of Pukeroa Domain. That the Minister bo requested to have control of the domain vested in the council, and that he be informed that if given control the council is agreeable to lease the area to the HVaikato Hospital Board for a period of 21 years, providing that a suitable hospital for Hho needs of the Rotorua district be maintained.