THE OTAKI MAIL. FRIDAY, AUGUST 17, 1928. THE OTAKI HOSPITAL.

Otaki Mail, 17 August 1928, Page 2

THE OTAKI MAIL. FRIDAY, AUGUST 17, 1928. THE OTAKI HOSPITAL.

The i dissatisfaction of the members of the Ota Id Chamber of Commerce expressed at the last meeting of that ever watchful body, must be universal. There is no doubt about it, that if any record were wanted in the annals of New: Zealand departmental administration, for "the longest delayed public matter" or for the " champion circumlocution department" (no handicap and free-for-all) the record or the stake would be proudly claimed by the Health Department and the Palmerston North Hospital Board in what might be termed the "Otaki Hospital Open." To recapitulate it will be necessary to remind the public of this joke-among-departmonts' promise to the deputation of Otaki business men when they last visited Palmerston some four months ago, that the work at the hospital would be put in hand within six weeks." The putting in hand has so far merely been the calling of tenders for the work. The tenderers, .as far as can be ascertained, have not to date received any replies. The members of the Chamber queried as to whether the public wish the Chamber to do anything. One member stated that many of the public did not care. AW' venture to state that people do care, and that very emphatically. There is a sort of hopeless feeling, however, about it all. So many meetings have been called; so many letters written. So many deputations have voluntarily, at their own individual expense and in their own time, visited Ministers of the Crowe, and the Palmerston Board: and so many promises have been made and broken, that it is no wonder that the public says to itself "what the hell is the use?" This is, however, not the correct attitude of mind. People must realise that in this depurtmeiitally governed country, servants of the public must be continually reminded of their position. Otherwise they get oul of hand; quite reckless and indifferent, in fact. The time has come to crack the whip again. It is "Up to" the public lo see that it is cracked soon, and that its noise will stir the sluggard oxen for should we say don keys?) who curry tin; burden of tin public health of this district slowly on its way.