THE NEW HOSPITAL.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 300, 12 May 1913, Page 3

THE NEW HOSPITAL.

AN OPUXAKE PROPOSAL. j The need for a cottage hospital at Opunake was emphasised at the Egmont County Council meeting on Friday. When the demand was received from the Taranaki Hospital and Charitable Aid Board for £3021, the county's share of the cost of erecting the new hospital j in Xew Plymouth, Cr. Campbell asked ; if something could not lie done to proj vide a cottage hospital for Opunake. He ■ understood that recently there -were sev- j enteen patients from Opunake in the 1 Xew Plymouth Hospital. Reverting to the new hospital, the chairman stated that his idea was that the Hospital Board should raise a joint loan and debit each contributing body with its proportion. He understood, however, that this was impossible. The money could be raised in two ways, either by way of special loan, or by striking a special rate for three years. Cr. Maxwell explained at length the causes for erecting the new hospital, which have been fully 1 enumerated. The Hospital Board applied to the contributing bodies for the money, and they had to accede. The'chairman: Therefore, the request is mandatory. But suppose we resist? Cr. Maxwell: You cannot. The central authority would collect the money. The chairman stated that the Hospital Board.'had been assured by the Hon. Mr. Russell-that the fiovernment would lend the money for rebuilding the hospital, on the best terms possible, but hardly had he returned home when he issued the historical £SOOO limit. Cr. Willcox considered that a sum for a cottage hospital in Opunake should be included. The district was far. removed from the railway, and many a life had been lost through delay in getting the patients to the hospital. Cr. Maxwell said that no one realised more than he did the need for a cottage hospital in Opunke, but there was a general feeling that such institutions were very costly and ultimately became a very heavy burden on the ratepayers. Indeed, the cost of keeping them efficient was out of all proportion to the benefits received. This centralisation was not the wish of the Board, which was composed of country as well as town members. The chairman: We've heard all that before.. It's all right from a town point of view, but it is ridiculous to ask people living 40 or 49 miles away from the hos- ' pital to go there. Cr. Willcox admitted that good work was done at the town hospitals, but they should have a small hospital in Opunake to deal with bush accidents. Cr. Maxwell said that it would entail great cost, which would fall on the ratepayers. If the ratepayers found the money the Board would provide the building and maintain it. Other places also would want cottage hospitals. Prac- > tically each contributing county would require one. Cr. Willcox moved that the Hospital Board be asked to add an additional sum to the proposed levy, so as to provide and equip a cottage hospital for Opunake. Cr. Burgess urged them to be careful. The ambulance had proved a white elephant. The chairman: "Because someone writes to the paper, like a silly idiot. It is not correct to say the ambulance is a white elephant." The chairman went on to say that it was there for anyone to use, but it was a big, heavy affair, and required a team of horses to move ' it. They could not expect any town board, county council or hospital board to keep a team of horses ready, but anyone could use it if he provided tlio horses. Anyway, it had not been in much demand since motor cars came into vogue. Cr. Burgess: Tf it is necessary to maintain nurses and a doctor, the cost would j be enormous. Cr. Willcox thought the local doctor | would always be available. A building and appliances and nurse would be re" ' quired. Nurses were provided in other ! places, so why not here? Cr. Burgess thought that motor cars had done away to a certain extent with the necessity for a local cottage hos- ! pital. Cr. Hirst seconded the proposal, which was carried. On receipt of a .;eplv from the Hospital Board it was decided to make ap- ; plication to the Government for the proposed levy or the increased amount to include the cottage hospital.