HOSPITAL FOR OPUNAKE.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 144051, 22 March 1913, Page 4

HOSPITAL FOR OPUNAKE.

DEPUTATION WAITS ON HOS ■ PITAE BOARD.

An influential deputation of Maoris from down the Coast, waited on tho Hospital Board on Wednesday. Tho Rev. T. (J. Hammond acted as interpreter, and also addressed Hie meeting. Mr. J. Macßeynolds introduced the depntaton, stating that its personnel consisted of Messrs. Rna Alcetahnna. better known as Rna Bishop, his son Tute Horopaki Bishop, Te Mikaka, and Wi Kupe. influential,Maori representatives ol the district.’

Rna Bishop said that the Maoris were very anxious to meet the board, ami to tell them of the great necessity there was for a hospital at Opnnake. All were aware of the groat distance it was irom New Plymouth or Haivera, and when any ol their children or relatives were overtaken by sickness they wore overtaken by sickness they were were told to take them to New Plymouth. ’Those who could alford to do so brought not able to bear the expense of the journey could not do so. He therefore thought that it would he a proper thing to build a hospital at Opimakc, which was centrally situated for tho various .settlements, and sick people could be easily taken there. Just lately a boy who was as a son to him had sustained a severe bicycle accident, and only because he, possessed a motorcar was he able to bring him in to New Plymouth, where he now was in the hospital. Air. Hammond said that all this had been well considered by the Natives, and Bishop hud shown great wisdom in putting into a few words what ho had to say. An amomit of £3OO had been subscribed by tho Maoris round Rahoui, Oeo and that district, which was well represented on tbo deputation. He had a good knowledge ol’tho trouble which overtook the Natives, and the way in which they suffered. They did their best when sickness overtook them, but did not know how to deal with troubles at the beginning of an illness, which was the most important time, a time when everything often depended upon tho attention they received, and when they required tho best medical advice, as well as proper medicine. A nurse would ho of great value in the district, and if the hoard could sec ita way to providing one, it would, ho was sure, result in many lives being saved, and relievo the people of ranch distress. Maoris wore more afraid of death than they were given credit "for. Mr. Hammond suggested that a piece of landshould he obtained, upon which a good shell building should be erected, which could ho done fairly cheaply, where patients could ho placed under the caro of a hnrso. There was nothing the Natives hated more than having to leave a little child amongst our people, and having to go himo and leave it with strangers; having to do so broke their hearts. “How,” said the speaker, “would yon like to take one of your children and leave it amongst the Maoris?”

In answer to a question by the chair, man, Mr. Hammond said that he had no doubt that several young and intelligent Native girls could be obtained in the district to take up training with the object of becoming nurses. Tho Maoris would feel more satisfied if their own people could take up the work. There was no doubt that there was con. siderablo feeling between the various tribes, and that one tribe looked down upon another. AVi Knpe said that if the bsard wo\dd put up a hospital in hi» part of the district he would give an acre of land for the purpose, as ho .wiis very anxious to see a scheme carried out, which was to assist them in sickness. Ho bad given two acres of good land already for the building of a,school in bis district, which bad been done ;ft bis own expense.

I’lie -Chairman said that ho was vary I glad to soe that the Maoris wore takin" an interest in tho schonio themsolvos. The matter had been before the board before, and they had made representations to tho department- Ho felt sure that they had tho sympathy of the board, wlueh would do tbo best that it could for them. He then referred to a letter received by the board from Dr, Valintine, Inspector-General of Hospitals, bearing on tho subject, and which was published in the Herald on Wednesday, in which tho doctor stated that the chief difficulty was in getting a suitable nurse to take up work amongst the Natives. He concluded hy asking tho deputation to gat their people to report any cases of sickness which they knew of, both in their own interests and the interests of'the hoard. He again assured them that lie ‘was delighted to find that the Natives were taking the interest they were doing in their own welfare. Several other members of the board snoke in a similar manner, and assured tbo deputation of their desire to help them. The deputation then withdrew.