NEW HOSPITAL

Southland Times, Issue 22073, 21 July 1933, Page 8

NEW HOSPITAL

LEAGUE DISCUSSION. “OUTSIDE ITS PROVINCE.” Holding the view that it was outside the province of the Southland League to interfere in the decision of the Southland Hospital Board to erect a new general hospital at Kew, members of the league at the monthly meeting last night decided to take no action in the matter.

Discussion was prompted by Mr A. W. Jones, who said it had occurred to him that the Invercargill City could give a portion of Queen’s Park for a site in exchange for the board’s land at Kew. The park, he argued, would make a beautiful setting for the institution and even though some thousands of pounds had already been spent at Kew he still thought the league could make a move to induce the board to abandon its new site.

His Worship the Mayor (Mr John Miller): I doubt if it is proper for the league to interfere. Mr C. S. Longuet: I’m afraid we cannot do anything. “I think, too, that we are too late now to interfere,” said Dr J. A. Pottinger. The chairman (Mr W. Hinchey): I also think it is outside the province of the league to interfere. Mr Jones said that he was not suggesting interference. “Could we not make a suggestion before it is too late?” he asked.

The chairman: I certainly think that if a public poll were now taken on the question quite a different complexion would be put on it. Still, I think we should leave the matter alone as our league must not meddle in outside politics. Mr J. H. Tattersfield: I think, too, that the time is now too late to raise the question. The chairman: I have always thought the present site the best possible. Mr Tattersfield: There is no doubt about it, but the scheme has gone too far now.