NORTH OTAGO.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19760, 10 April 1926, Page 18

NORTH OTAGO.

UTmou Ovb Special Cobb espon dent.)

A. AND P. SOCIETY

The monthly meeting of the North Otago A. and P. Association was held yesterday, there being present Messrs W. M'Donald (president), and ahout a dozen members. A resolution of sympathy with Mr William Gardiner, who is at present confined to hospital, was passed on the motion of the chairman. The President and Secretary were appointed delegates to a conference of farming bodies to be held in Dunedin on June 8. in connection with the winter show. The resignation of Mr W. Mcnzies as a member was received and accepted. Messrs H. J. Crawford (Dunedin), Wilfred Wardell (Omarama), J. Simpson (Lake station) and J. Adams (Otiakel were elected new members. On the motion of Mr Trotter, it was decided that it be a recommendation to the m-coming committee to bold a sheepdog trial at the next show. —Several members expressed the opinion that a sheepdog trial would be a great attraction to the show. Some discussion took place upon the question of shifting the sheep pens and erecting new pens.—The president suggested that the new pens he on the plan of those at Waimate..—The secretarv was instructed to write the Waimate society for a plan of its irons.—Mr Cowan suggested that a work-ing-bee he held in connection with the removal of the pens, and this met with gonora! approval. The secretary was instructed to write the auctioneers drawing attention to certain errors that bad occurred at the ram fair. The following debenture-holders we>-e drawn by ballot ■—W, P. Reid, Estate W. M’Pberson, R S. Brewster. Oamnrtt Mail Co. (2), W. H. Mureott, .Tames A M. A. Scott, Joseph Briscoe, National Mortgage and Atstv-v Go (Ltd.). A CYCLE TRACK. At the mealing of the North Otago A ami P. Association yesterday the report of the Grounds Committee in reference to meeting a denutation from the Caledonian Society and sports bodies on the ground, was read and adopted. A letter was also rend from the secretary of the Caledonian Society, asking for permission to make the following improvements on the grounds:—fl) Form a 440yds cinder or grass track, and hank tip ends not more that 3ft (Tin: (2) plough inside of ring extent of Sin; (3) shift fences on northeast, north, and western sides. Messrs J. D. Forbes and W, P. Burns, of the Calc lonian Society, waited upon the mooting in support of the above proposals.— Mr Forbes stated that his society wa« unite confident that the funds necessary te carry out the work could be raised by special effort. He suggested, however, that the association should meet the society in the" matter of rental of the ground.—Mr Rums supplemented the remarks of Mr Forbes. He said it was proposed to undertake a scheme that was not over-ambitious. A roadster track was to he provided, and not one for speeding cycles. Mr Burns thought the association might permit the use of the grounds for the children’s sports free of charge.—Mr Borrie mentioned that the football bodies were in favour of th» alterations proposed.—Mr Joseph Williams thought they should make adequate provision against a repetition of difficulties that had occurred in the past.—Mr T. R. Little was of opinion that the proposed track would not interfere with the show arrangements in any respect. Mr Little thought there was room on the grounds for all. and they should work together as amicably as possible.—Mr Cameron asked what the deputation thought was a fair rental for the ground.—Mr Forbes replied that the society thought £ls instead of £25 would he a fair rental in the meantine. He pointed, out that the Rugby Union paid only £4O for the use of the ground for six months in the year. MRurns stated that the Caledonian Society would lie prepared to increase its renta. if the revenue derived from the new track warranted it.—Mr Cameron pointed out that the A. and P. Association had its own financial difficulties to contend with.—Mr Gibson asked what the football bodies would do if the inner portion of the ring were ploughed.—lt was nointed out that a deputation from the footballers had agreed Hint it was desirable to plough the ring and had offered to play for one season on the grounds outside the a .? B ' lo a question. Mr Burns stated that It was not proposed to do anything to the ring until after the New Year sports.-As H e members of the Grounds Committee Individuallv expressed their approval of the proposals of the Calednian Society. Mr Little moved. Mr Grant seconded, and it was carried that the permission askel b> the society be granted, and that 'die work be carried out under the supervision of Grounds Committee of the Forbes thanked the association for its con slderation, and promised that the utmost endeavour would be made to secure a track which would be of benefit to all concerned BUILDING in 0 AMARU. That building operations have been pro-ct-eding steadily in Oamaru for the last few years is manifest from the figures that a.e supplied your correspondent by the borough engineer. The comparative figures for the last four years are as follow: igo2 43,474 ,q 24 68.56 b This represents a total of £201,2.27 in lour years. Apart from these figures, however ‘ it may be mentioned that a latge number of buildings have been erected on the outskirts of the borough. WEEK ON THE FARM. The farmers of North Otago have enjoyed another fine week, and have taken advantage of it to the fullest. Ploughing has been proceeding in all directions tor autumn sowing, and a much larger area is likely to be tinned over than last year. In some cases oats that have been sown for winter feed are well above the found The rape crops are being gradually ted down, and heavy drafts have been available during the last week or two for t.<e Pukeuri works. Harvesting is now practically at an end though the threshing of the later crops is still in progress. Potatodigging has scarcely jet commenced, the crops being several weeks later than usual The cream supply to the dairy factories is being well maintained, but many cow s will shortly be dried off. A SHOCK. An Oamaru resident sustained a shock yesterday. Tho police called upon him and told him that the number of his car corresponded with that of a car which had been involved in a motor collision in Dunedin at a late hour on a recent night, and he was asked for details concerning the occurrence. The resident explained that he was comfortably sleeping in his bed in Oamaru on the night in question, and that he was rot even dreaming of mfltor collisions Moreover, his car was under lock and ke\ in the garage upon his property, and could not possibly have wandered to Dunedin It is thought that tho change in motor registration may have been responsible for he mistake. FOOTBALL. Th> following will represent Eatirtt Hil, against Mahcno at Maheno to-day Roberts, Gaw-i (2), Ilacqnoit (2), Ellis, M'Kegg, Hepburn Campbell. Gillies, Beck, Sinclair (2). Muldrcw, Pringle (2), Miner t oy, Youart (2), Alexander. GENERAL. An Oamaru settler who recently motored through Otago and Southland was disanpointed to find the sign-posts on the Southland roads so small that they could scarcely be deciphered by the occupants of a passing car. Tho Oamaru Operatic Society hopes shortly to announce the opera that is to be produced in the coining season. Inquiries are at present being made in regard to properties PERSONAL. Mr C. R. C. Robinson, of Wellington, was a visitor to Oamaru yesterday. The friends of Mr W. Ntcolsom of Hamp-

NEWS FROM THE DISTRICT.

don, will regret to hoar that his health has boon very indifferent of lute. Although he was able to come to Oamaru for public business yesterday, his condition was anything but satisfactory HOSPITAL EXPENDITURE Members of the Waitaki Hospital Hoard waited upon the members of the Waitaki County Council, the Oamaru .Borough Council, and the ratepayers yesterday to place before them and explain the need for the extensive improvement programme to be carried out at the Oamaru Bublic Hospital. Mr J. W. Forrester (DeputyMayor) presided, and in introducing the deputation the Chairman said there was a number of points to be cleared up. Mr A. (}. Fraser (chairman of the Waitaki Hospital Hoard) said he regretted the absence of Mr W. Gardiner (president of the Waitaki County Council), who was in hospital. Some time ago the Hospital Board intimated that it would explain the need of the extensive additions and expenditure on the hospital. The people were still asking why they were spending such a huge amount when the hospital had got along for such a long time without needing such expenditure. The principal reason was the growing popularity of the hospital. The larger attendance needed larger accommodation and additions to the staff. He went on to refer to the increase in the number of patients during the past year. In 1915 there was an average of IS patients, in 1921 21, 1923 30, and in 1920 well over 40. There had been during the epidemic as many as 65 patients at a time, and last week there had been 57 patients. It was hardly fair to the patients and the staff when the hospital was so nvor-crowded. In 1923 there were 10 nurses; now there were 22. Of course the increase in the staff was partly due to shorter hours, and instead of their being two shifts during the 24 hours there were now three. No one begrudged the nurses getting shorter hours. It was not until Quite recently found necessary to have a house surgeon, but now it was absolutely necessary, as also a masseuse. The increase in the cost of maintenance during the past years had been enormous. In 1921 the cost had been £2113, in 1923 £2944, in 1925 £5423, and this year something like £7OOO. Because of these things the trustees, who had done such good work in the past, could not carry on. The expenditure had increased, but the revenue had not. The result was the taking over of the institution by the board. Aftter a conferenc ewith the medical staff and the matron, it was decided that additional accommodation was absolutely necessary. The Chairman went on to stress the necessity for the X-ray plant and accommodation and the shelter for chronic consumptives. He then went on to detail the various items of expenditure proposed. The rough estimate made at first. £18,500. did not include equipment and architects’ fees. He had received details from the architects only of the actual estimated cost, and after going through the figures with members of the hoard, it was found that the capital requirements to be spread over a period o. eight years would be as follows: New twostorey ward building® £BBOO. architect’s fee £520, equipment £731 5s 4d; —total. £9251 5s 4d; nurses home buildings £6OOO. eouipmont £730, architects lee £390 —total £7140; kitchen block buildings £3500. equipment £250, architect's fee £227 10s —total £3977 10s; laundry and equipment £2554 10s. architect’s foe £77 10s —total £5832; balance between contract price and the estimate £3°o equipment £409 4s Bd—grand total £25.000. It was a big sum of money, and members of the Hosnital Board felt it as much as anybody. They thought, however. it was absolutely necessary. They proposed that it be raised by loan. The department agreed to the amount amf recommended that the board arrange with the bank for an overdraft. This it had decided to do and spread the payment over a period of eight years. The amount repayable would be eight instalments of £4040. of which the Government would pay half. This left £2020 for the local bodies to find, and it hnd hoen n« fnHnws: —rVm*itv Council £I4OO (approximately). Borough Council £6OO. and the Hampden Council £6OO. This, it would (be agreed, was not a heavy burden for the public bodies concerned The voluntary system had been carried on too long, and that idea was now dead. Had the hospital been run on its present lines year? ago the improvements necessary would have been carried out last vear. The ratepayers had been escaping this rate for years, and the hospital bad been supported by voluntary contributions. He pointed out the small interest displayed in the institution when supported bv voluntary contributions. He hoped the present scheme would tend to increase the interest in the institution. Mr H. Grenfell, a member of the old board of trustees, said the additions were sadiv needed. He gave a vivid description of the trials and the troubles the hospital had to put up with in by-gone days due to lack of accommodation, inadequate staffing and obsolete equipment. He compared those days with the present splendid staff of nurse« and the medical staff. Mr Walter Sumpter said he would like to stress the point that the board was doing its utmost to keep as low as possible the costs. He went on to refer to the obsolete laundry, and gave as an instance last winter, when for three days nothing could be dried. Mr MacEaehern, who had visited the hospital, said the home and surroundings were good, but they should aim at 70 beds. He (Mr Sumpter) warned the community that the increase in the number of patients would mean that more money would have to be spent. The expenditure was a small thing compared with the benefit to the community. Mr MTnnes endorsed the remarks of the previous speakers. Some people. h« said, talked about putting up a “wash-house.” This was throwing dust in the public eye. He pointed out that a laundry at the hospital was totally different to a “washhouse." Mr W. Forrester said he was diffident about speaking on hospital matters, being a junior member on the board. As a country man he sympathised with the ratepayers. Had the hospital been under a rating system it would have been kept up-to-date. Mr Forrester went on to refer to the saving in expenses which would be brought about by the new X-ray plant, and the saving in labour expenses in the laundry Mr T. A. Munro of Kurow, asked whether the Oamaru Hospital were nonpaying. With an increase in the number of patients the maintenance account would be increased,• and would be heavy in the future. The Secretary of the board stated that the proportion of paying patients was 35 per cent, which, in comparison with other towns, was equal, if not higher. Mr Sumpter said the secretary and staff took every care to collect the fees. The secretary was a very live man. Mr J. M'Laren asked for particulars of how the £4OOO was going to be spent on the laundry. The Chairman, in reply, said that provision was to be made for an up-to-date drying plant. There was at present a difficulty to get labour to work with the present equipment. The building itseif was to cost £I2OO tnd the equipment £2544 10s. The sum of £I2OO wa> to he expended on a high pressure boiler, which would also be used for heating the new wards and heating water for the baths This left £1354, to he used tor other equipment. such as hydro-extractors, washing machines, and drying machines, Mr .1. M’Diorniid said the explanations assist in clearing up matters. The business end was being run os well as possible, and the point in reccd to the laundry had been cleared up. He did not consider the rate would be excessive. Ihe rate in Invercargill was Bd, and that would mean 2d here to cover the amount required. The present trustee- were doing arduous work which was overlooked hv many He was perfectly satisfied with the explanation of the board, and its details

had been very comprehensive. The question of the Kurow Hospital was discussed, and the. Chairman said that tho departments! architect had pointed that few hosoiiab of its kh-,d cost less taan £4O-00. After further discussion on the matter (lie chairman moved a vote of thanks for the very illuminating account of expenditure given by the delegates, which was carried by acclamation. ' Oil ARAM A COG TRIALS. The Omarama dog trials, which offer excellent prizes and are largely patronised bv settlers of the district, were held this week in beautiful weather. The committee had the whole o f the arrangements in perfect 0-der. The entries were very numerous, there being no fewer than 43 in the heading and 40 in the maiden huntawav. The latter was won in fine style bv' Mo=« a most inredirrent dog owned by Mr C A Parker, of Fairlie. Following v - pr n p'e resu’ts of the first two events; HP M 3. BRING BA r K AND HOLD IN RING ; First pr'-e £2O. second £B. thmd £5 fo irfh £" —H. Waldron’s Hein 1. R. j Trotter’s Mav ti»niO 5 . C. A. Parkers Geer-re O E PmcSn’i Gvn 4. M ATPF.N TirVT \W VY: First prize £lO s.-ond f * tbi-d £9 C A P»rker s Moss 1 L. Waldron's Mtv 2, F. Davis’s Ron ? RAFF.. —G. M'Aughtne am' I, Ress 1 (dead heath Tho droving competition was also held.