HAVELOCK COTTAGE HOSPITAL

Pelorus Guardian and Miners' Advocate., Volume 22, Issue 28, 11 April 1911, Page 4

HAVELOCK COTTAGE HOSPITAL

EULOGY BY HOSPITAL BOARD. At the Blenheim Hospital Board’s meeting last week, Mr Weaver moved in accordance with notice given, that the Havelock Cottage Hospital be continued as at present. : He pointed out that it was necessary to have this institution at Havelock. It had' been the means of saving at least a dozen lives since it came into existence. He stated that the revenue for the past year was; Fees collected £2l 6s; contributions, Pelorus Road Board £143 13s 4d, Havelock Town Board £lO 2s4d, Government subsidy £132 3s 6d, or a total from rates of £286 83 2d. Donations received amounted to £76 14s 9d, and the Government subsidies on these to £92 Is 9d. This made a grand total of £475 10s Bd. The expenditure for the year was £279 5s 6d, which left a balance in favour of the Board of £196 ss. 6d. He thought that the position of .the Cottage Hospital, which he had placed before them, was sufficient, and there was no necessity for him to say any more. Mr White seconded the motion, stating that it was necessary for patients to be accommodated temporarily at Havelock. This was in the interest of common humanity, and every member would admit that it should be kept on.

Mr Bishell said he was in favour of the motion, but he thoughtvthat the, Havelock people were not rated enough.

Mr Nees said he bad no fear that the hospital would be closed >by such a number of largerhearted men who sat around the table. It was perfectly clear that the hospital was self-supporting. He pointed out that at the time the rate was struck he had mentioned that the rate was not sufficient, as previously they had been rated at 1-5 of a penny in place of 1-9 of a penny, as at present. There was no question of the necessity of the institution; it would be madness to close it.

The chairman said he was thoroughly in accord with the motion, and he appreciated the manner in which the Havelock people had worked for the maintenance of the Cottage Hospital.

Mr Bell said that before he heard the balance-sheet read by Mr Weaver he had felt disposed to vote against the motion. He congratulated the Havelock people upon the way in which they supported their hospital. He urged them, however, to be careful. Mr Birch said that the motion had his support. He was quite satisfied that the people of Havelock were deserving of the greatest praise for tbeir enterorise Any district which would work as Havelock had done for their hospital would have his support. The motion was carried unanimously. Mr Weaver thanked the Board on behalf of the ratepayers of the Havelock district for having granted their request. ■—Express.