HOSPITAL FOR TE AROHA

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22319, 17 January 1936, Page 10

HOSPITAL FOR TE AROHA

DEPUTATION'S REQUEST WAIKATO BOARD'S ATTITUDE [FP.OM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT] HAMILTON, Thursday The need for a maternity home and casualty ward for Te A roll a was stressed by a deputation representing the Piako County Council and the Te Aroha Borough Council, which waited on the Waikato Hospital Board to-day in support of the request. Mr. W. C. Kennedy, chairman of the Piako County Council, pointed out that the county and borough were contributing nearly £SOOO a year toward the Waikato Hospital Board's revenue. To Aroha had a population of 2600, while the population within an eightmile radius of the Te Aroha post office was probably 6000. There was no public hospital in the district nearer than Hamilton, 3-3 miles away. On the retirement of the deputation, Mr. J. Price advocated the payment to the private nursing homes of fees incurred by indigent patients. The proposal was strongly opposed by the chairman, Mr. J. J. Ryburn. who said hospital expenses incurred by indigent patients were defrayed by the board at present after inquiry. It was finally decided to refer the deputation's request and the question raised by Mr. Price to a committee for consideration and report.