HOSPITAL MERGER

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22622, 9 January 1937, Page 11

HOSPITAL MERGER

POSITION OF THAMES AMALGAMATION OPPOSED [bt telegraph—OWN correspondent] WAIHI, Friday That the amalgamation of the Waihi, Thames, and Coromandel hospital districts would not only rob Waihi of the 'control of its institution but would also if the tentative scale of contributions were adopted, throw a heavier burden on the people of Waihi than would be carried by other people in the new hospital district, was contended at a special meeting of the Waihi Chamber of Commerce last evening. The president, Dr. A. Jenkins, said representatives of the chamber had told the commissioner, Mr. F. H. Levien, S.M., that what the chamber wanted was an extension of the boundaries for Waihi. It seemed, however, that the authorities desired amalgamation. Should it take place it would be detrimental to the Waihi Hospital, while a lot of people living near Tauranga would be dissatisfied. Amalgamation, it was stated, would have the effect of bringing to the Waihi Hospital people who would in the ordinary way not have been entitled to admission unless as urgent cases. It would thus have the same effect as an extension of boundaries so iar as the number of admissions was concerned, but Waihi would lose direct control. Mr. It. Walsh moved that the Waihi Borough Council, which had approved of amalgamation, be asked to meet the (■handier on Monday evening and explain the position fully. Mr. W. Butler said the ratepayers had rejected a proposal to amalgamate three years ago and it the Council was now in favour of amalgamation it was going against the wishes oi the people. The motion was carried.