WAIMATE HOSPITAL.

Timaru Herald, Volume XIIC, Issue 14042, 28 October 1909, Page 2

WAIMATE HOSPITAL.

o ITS FUTURE STATUS. At the meeting of the AYaimate Borough Council on Tuesday evening, The Alayor reported what had been done in connection with the new Hospitals and unariuible iiu».i<.ui.iuns i>ill at tho meeting of the Board in Timarti, and also at the AYaimate County Council's "meeting last week. He had wired to Sir AY. J. Steward re getting an amendment .."to maintain AVaimato Hospital at its present state of except by instructions from tho Minister" and asked if a deputation from borough and countywould be advisable. Sir AA 7 m. considered the suggestion an excellent one, and asked that a deputation so to AYellington this week. Air Hart was to go as County Council member if tho borough appointed a representative, and lie (the Mayor) would be- prepared to go at his own expense, unless the Council appointed somo other representative. Appointments had been made with Sir J. G. Ward, the Hon. G. Fowlds and Dr ATalentine to meet deputations on Friday next. A letter on the matter from Sir AV. J. Steward was read.

His Worship considered tho matter of great importance and adduced statistics proving that Waimate had paid a big proportion of the money provided by rates and subsidy for tho South Canterbury Board. The horpital served a nonulation, in countv and borough of 8800. The buildings, had cost £5061, from first to last. Tho Provincial Government put up a cottage hospital for about £l7O. The present hospital was-erected by public subscriptions and the County Councit for £3077, and the Central ISnnrd had since spent £1434. The yearly average of patients was 140, and yearly cost £I2OO, of which £585 was salaries and wages. The total levied on county and borough in the last 23 years had been £26,557, a' - d Government subsidies to an equal amount had been received thereon, making £53,114. During' the same time £22,741 had been returned to the Trustees, and on account of charitable aid £7603 (incledinT n lim-e sem collected by t'io Ladies' Benevolent Society) total £30,344. The above figures showed that the cost of the hospital and charitable aid in AYaimate county and borough had little exceeded the amount levied for rates, and the Central Board had had the benefit of nearly the whole of- the Government subsidy—viz—£22,769, for tho treatment of "the patients from the northern end of the district in the Timaru Hosnital. Tho Alayor thought strenuous efforts should be made to avoid any risk of Waimate losing its hospital or even having it reduced to the position of a cottage hospital. He moved—"That Sir AV. J. Steward be thanked for forwarding copies of the Bill promptly, and for his offer of assistance; and that he be requested to introduce an amendment to the Bill which will necessitate tho maintenance of the AA'aimate Hospital at its present state of efficiency, subject to the approval of the Minister."

Councillors Inkster, Manchester, Sanders and Cox supported the motion. The Mavor wished it to be clear that tho feeling as between the present Central Bonrd rrpnnrnlh- mvl the lr»-il Trustees was good, bnt future risks had to be considered. The motion was

carried, and. the Mayor was unanimously elected as tho Council's meraltor of tho deputation to Ministers.