HAWERA HOSPITAL.

Otago Witness, Issue 3806, 22 February 1927, Page 66

HAWERA HOSPITAL.

OPENING CEREMONY. HAWERA. February 18. The biggest, public work undertaken in South Taranaki, the erection of the public hospital here, has been completed, and the opening ceremony was performed this afternoon by the Minister of Health (Hon. J. A. Young) before a large gathering. The hospital, which cost £90,000, provides accommodation for 80 beds, and is up-to-date' in every respect. It will provide for the requirements of the district for many years. _ Mr Young stated that hospital expendi"ture throughout the Dominion was steadily increasing. Seventy-three per cent, of all the Hospital Board’s revenue was derived from public funds, levies on local authorities, and subsidies contributed by the Government. The .cost of hospital treatment averaged about 15s 3d daily. The charges made by the boards averaged 9s per day and only 3s 6d jwas collected in contributions* and levies. The subsidies had risen from £443,000 in 1914-15 to £1,238,000 for 1925-26. The expenses per head of the population had risen from 7s 9d to 20s sd. To-day the number of available beds per 1000 of the population was 5.4, as against 3.4 in 1914-15. Since that year 40 new hospitals had been opened in addition to extensions to visiting institutions, though the majority of these institutions were intended for maternity cases only. Dr Valintine. Director-general of Health, remarked that the standard of hospitals in New Zealand was high, and more than favourably compared with the European institutions. Provision was made in this country for five beds per ICCU of the population, while the United Kingdom provided one per 1000. No other part of Europe with the probable exceptio.n of Denmark, could reach the latter standard. The director sounded a note of warning regarding further expenditure, and said that during the next few years this would need to be as light as possible. There was no further need for new hospitals in the Dominion. During the afternoon the memorial tablet to. the late .Mr W. A. Parkinson was unveiled by Miss H. M. Page, grand-daughter of the donor under whose bequest the entrance columns -were provided. HINTS AND SUGGESTIONS. Always after washing up scald the dishcloth and hang it to dry, and wash out any towels that require' it, so that everything will be clean and ready for use when wanted again. Glycerine is a good cleanser of patent leather shoes. Wipe them free of dust and mud, rub the leather well with the glycerine, leave for a few minutes, then polish with a soft, dry cloth. To keep cut flowers fresh put a small piece of washing soda in the water. To keep ‘ parsley for a few days cut off the stalks, and put the parsley in a shallow dish of water. The stalks, if washed and tied in a bit of muslin and put into the stock-pot, will improve the flavour of the stock. Use chopped dates instead of raisins or currants in the next rice or bread pudding. This makes a delicious change. Never allow saucepans, frying pans, and similar utensils to become quite dry before cleaning them. If they are greasy and require hot water either put them on the fire with water to become hot, or clean them at once with boiling water. Fishy odours can be removed from the hands and dishes used in cooking fish by washing them at once in tepid water in which plenty of salt has been dissolved. A tin of japan black, such as is used for stoves, diluted to the required colour and thinness with methylated spirits, makes- a beautiful oak varnish stain for a floor. A stained floor that has become shabby can be revived by washing well, and then applying a coat of this mixture. Badly soiled cocoanut matting should be scrubbed with hot, soapy water, then rinsed thoroughly by drawing it several times through a bath of cold water. Hang it on a line to Grain and dry. Housewives who are thinking of papering a room themselves should try applying the paste to the wall instead of to the paper. It is an easier way for amateurs, and the paper is less apt to tear. Cane chairs that have become rather shabby through being out of doors in the fine weather can be greatly improved by lathering them with warm soapy water to which a Jittle alcohol has been added. Whilst the cane is still wet strew sulphur over" it, and leave to dry. Then remove every vestige of sulphur with a soft brush. A brightly covered cushion or two will complete the cure, and make the chair a cheerful addition to the fireside. It is important to rinse thoroughly all cooking utensils ' that have been washed in soda water. Jf the slightest trace is left upon pans or moulds it will completely spoil such things as soups and jellies. Any water in which green vegetables have been cooked should be thrown away out of doors as soon as possible. This

is often impossible, but if it has to be thrown down a sink turn the cold water tap on, and leave to run for a few minutes to carry off the smell. New blankets should be soaked for an hour in ammonia and water before they are washed for the first time, as this helps to get rid of the dressing and natural grease. To prevent inflammation in a severe burn or scald apply white of egg to the affected part. , After washing cretonnes dip them into thin starch just strong enough to give them a slight stiffening. This will also help to keep them clean. Marrow retains its flavour much better if cooked with the skin on. Lemon juice can be used as an emergency polish for black or brown shoes. To wash new flannel put it into clean cold water and let it soak for a fewdays, changing the water frequently. Wash well in warm soapy water. Flannels thus washed never harden or shrink.