Patea & Waverley Press WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 5, 1923. A GENEROUS OFFER

Patea Mail, Volume XLVI, 5 September 1923, Page 2

Patea & Waverley Press WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 5, 1923. A GENEROUS OFFER

WE are extremely sorry to find that the contributions towards the much-needed Nurses’ Home have not been coining to hand to the extent that the worthiness of the object would lead one to expect. This may perhaps be due to a rumour that was abroad to the effect that a very generous donation that had been promised, and was to form the nucleus of the fund, was not likely to be forthcoming, owing to a hitch in the negotiations between the prospective donor and the local authorities concerned. That there was a hitch is, we understand, quite true, but this, we believe, has happily been removed. It would, indeed, be remarkable if this were not so, seeing that the whole of the parties interested arc of one mind as to the need for the erection of the Home as soon as possible. Additional interest has been lent to the movement by a suggestion that has been put forward that an extra sum be raised for the purpose of adding a maternity ward to the Home when it is being built. If this is done, we understand something in the neighbourhood of £3OO will bo at once forthcoming towards the construction of the building. Under the circumstances, we would suggest that all parties get together as soon as possible, with a view to a concerted line of action being agreed upon and the generous donation obtained—that is if the suggestion with regard to a maternity ward meets with general approval, as it should. One thing is quite certain—the Health authorities arc determined

that a Nurses’ Home shall be built in the near- future, and the more freewill offerings towards the cost of erection that can be obtained the better will it be for the ratepayers of the Fatea Borough and County and the Waverley Tonni District. With a united effort amongst the people of these districts a goodly sum should be raised which would go a long way Towards meeting a want that has been felt for some time past. As we stated on a former occasion, those who are caring for our sick and dying deserve every consideration at our hands, and the longer the erection of the muchneeded Nurses’ Home is put off the greater will be the blot on the town and district. The value of a maternity home in these days when population is so urgently needed is obvious, and there should be no difficulty in raising the funds required, particularly in view of the handsome offer that has been made.