SOUTH OTAGO HOSPITAL BOARD

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19066, 11 January 1924, Page 12

SOUTH OTAGO HOSPITAL BOARD

Record of Its Operations. Two Hospitals Nearing Completion The local bodies and various societies throughout South Otago came to the conclusion about 1918 that the district should have a Hospital Board of its own, and after an historic campaign which lasted for some three years the board was instituted, coming into existence on April 1, 1921. The first members of the. board were Messrs .Alfred North (chairman), Jas. Camming (Arthurian), Joseph Mosley (Clydevale), A. S. Malcolm (Balclutha, representing the Clutha County Council). H. Simson (Balclutha. representing the Borough Council), Rutherford (Kaitangata), Jas. Rennie (Milton), Jasper Clark (Lovell's Flat), Driver and Blair (repre smiting the 'Bruce County Council). Mr North was elected chairman, and* retained that office until his death, which was much regretted, last June. In recognition of his valuable services a brass memorial plate is being inserted in one of the walls of the Owaka Hospital. Mr Malcolm was elected chairman after Mr North’s death, and he still holds that position. When it came into existence the board had in its possession only a single-ward hospital at Kaitangata, capable of accommodating but very few patients, but now handsome and commodious buildings, which will provide for from 20 1o 30 ■itients, are nearing completion at Milton y.. Owaka. The board has also finally

t - ..-sod the plans prepared by Mr Wales for the main hospital at Balclutha, which will stand on a site that is declared by the health officials to be unsurpassed by auy other hospital site in New Zealand. It is expected that tenders for the erection of this building, which' will accommodate upwards of 40 patients, will bo received almost immediately. When ail the buildings are completed the board will have no fewer than four hospitals at its disposal. The rates have been kept at a moderate level, and very satisfactory arrangements have been made for the loan of the money required for the main hospital in Balclutha, the rate of interest payable being onlv per cent. The Milton and Owaka hospitals have been built out of the £13,000 which was awarded to the South Otago Board as its share of the assets of the Otago Board when the severance took place. Property to the value of £2OOO, including the Kaitangata Hospital, was also handed over to the South Otago Board. The board has purchased, for £4O per acre, a site for the main hospital, immediately overlooking the town of Ealclutha. The view from it is described as positively delightful, taking in not only the whole of the township lying at its foot, but a large stretch of river, valley, near and distant hills, and the township of Kaitangata.

The board has had only one secretary, Mr W. Roy, who has carried out his duties to the complete satisfaction of members. Since the institution of the board the seats held by Messrs Mosley, North, Rutherford, and Blair have become vacant, and tne places of these members have been taken by Messrs Harris, Brugh, Fenton, and Allan respectively.