ANOTHER MATERNITY HOME.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 13519, 16 February 1906, Page 6

ANOTHER MATERNITY HOME.

DECISION OF THE CHARITABLE AID BOARD. At yesterday's mooting of tlie Charitable Aid Board. Mr P. Miller ni'csiclin^, Dr lktchelor said lie wished to bring under the notice of the board the matter of a. maternity refuge borne, which was an important matter indeed, and one on which they had all the data they could get. If consideration was delayed any longer be thought they bad a good chance of losing the Government grant of £500, and, «s a member, lie strongly objected to hanging up the matter further. It. was a question of very vital importance to the Medical School, and one, upon which they would be seriously affected. He had taken up the matter on two grounds—Firstly,, that the home was required in the interests of their sick poor, and, secondly, in the interests of llic school, and, as far as the latter was concerned, it would, unless the project was put. in baud, bo absolutely impossible to train students in midwifery. This was one of the most important branches, and students were sent out_ without any practical training as far as it was concerned. Under the existing conditions they bad not many favourable opportunities of seeing the wort properly clone, The matter had been taken up by the Medical Association some two years ago, and strong representations made to have something done without delay, and, as the result of their efforts, combined with those of other bodies, £500 had been placed on the Estimates by the Government. Much more efficient {raining was now insisted upon than in the past, and. as a tcachcr at the University, lie could fay that they could not give the full course unless they were going to bo better done liy than iii the past over the matter. He was sure there was no university in the world that, would take upon itself the work, and in all other towns bodies such as the board provided maternity homes where students could be properly instructed. He eontended this hoard .should undertake its share. He did not ask for a fine building— simply a. small institution that would meet their requirements. Apart from all these interests, however, be could «iy that this institution was required in Dunedin. In the city there were a considerable number of poor women who were attended under most unfavourable conditions, running extra risk of their lives. These women would be only too glad to nvaiHlieinjolvos of maternity homes. The students went and attended them under these conditions, and tlie wonder was that they did sn well. A few cases were attended at the Benevolent Institution, but this was hardly the building for _ women to be confined in, overcrowded as it was. Altogether, the 'existing state of affairs was highly dangerous. The Salvation Army Homo did not cater for the class under notice, and lie did not think tliey should be interfered'with in any ease. Then thcro was St. Helens Homo, and this was only open to the fairly well-to-do, who could afford 30s per week. Tlie removal of the Mining School from Dunedin, against whicli there had been a great outcry, was a small matter indeed, as compared with that which he had brought under their notice. They were subsidised to Ibe extent of £1500 a year for the purpose of carrying on the School, and it was all tliey could do to exist with that amount. Tliey were supposed to give the students an efficient training, but when this was neglected to an extent in one of the most important branches, ho thought tliey were not acting their full part to the Government, Ho would propose—" That a, be formed to arrange for the plans, specifications. and estimates for the conversion of the old Kcfuge buildings in Forth street into a suitable maternity home for the aecommodation of women o[ the poorer classes, and for the training of students and nurses in practical midwifery, such plans and specifications to be forwarded 1o the Government with an application for the £500 plaecd on the Supplementary Estimates Inst session to cover the -cost of alteration and equipment." Mr Mill seconded the motion, and said lie was sure Dr Batchclor had convinced ovory member that the object be had in view went to further tlie interests of the rising generation. Mr MarJotr supported the motion, and said one of tiio facts that impressed him most was the statement that the students attended these cases. It would cost the board £150 or £200 per annum to keep up the home. Mr Mackenzie said lio had been impressed by the saino point, and lie thought a, good case had been made out. For many years it had seemed to him that the poorer class had Tun much more risk than they ought to take, and many a woman had suffered lite-long injury through being unable to pay for attention. Mr Wills did not think it was right to saddle the board with educational expenses. If the University of New Zealand insisted, why did they not go to the- Government to provide them with funds? Sir Inder also expressed himself not in favour of the proposal, and Mr Hazlctt was of the opinion, that the matter should be {ulty discussed by a full meeting of .the country members. Dr Batchelor said the matter was invariably dealt with in other centres by bodies such as tlio board. The students attended between 40 and 50 patients every year, and .were at the present- time attending a. number from the country. He _ thought it would be most illiberal and parsimonious, on tlie part of the board to check the good work thn Univereity was trying to accomplish. Then there was the matter of an infectious diseases hospital, and he did not think the proposed site at Peliehet Bay was suitable. The Health Officer was of opinion that- there wcro plenty of available Bites, and he did not think there would be any difficulty it the board cared to push the matter. Ho thought the board should fight its own battles, and he was of opinion that thej should not evade-the responsibility oast upon them by law. The Chairman said that the builctinp they desired to turn into a maternity home has ljeen passed by the Health Officer as such. Ho thought there was accommodation for infectious disease eases. Dr Batchelor said he understood there had been a case or two of scarlet fever for which the board had failed to find proper accommodation. The Chairman said this was not so, an<l the matter dropped, after further desultory discussion. The last clause of the motion was subsequently deleted, and there was added to the motion in its place—" To bo forwarded to the committee, and brought before a ' speoial meeting of the board for approval and confirmation in a fortnight," Tlie motion was tlien out and carried. five voting in favour, and Messrs Inder and Wills dissenting. The Chairman, Messrs Miller. Arkle, and Dr Batobslor ww Appointed iße comi -nuttce, .

Mr Wills said that, in tho interests of the country members, he would give notice to move at, next, meeting—"That tho motion be rescinded." After .further desultory discussion tho meeting closed.