FOR HUMANITY.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 10679, 28 January 1913, Page 3

FOR HUMANITY.

I THE CITY'S CORONATION MEMORIAL. HOME FOR (MIKONIC CONSUMPTIVES. LORD LIV KR POOL~ 1 j A YS STONE. Tlio c-itj''s Coronation . memorial, of which the foundation stone was laid today by tlio Governor, Lord Liverpool, will bo ono of the most humanitarian institutions in.. New Zealand, as its doors will lie open to consumptive patients who will be able to make it a homo rather than nn hospital, and will receive skilled treatment according to their necessities. The Homo, which will represent a very liberal total of subscriptions from all parts of the proi vine.e, together with the usual Govern- , ment .subsidy, will be erected close to the present Sanatorium at Cashmere Hills, so that it can be administered in the same block itudei - the direction of Dr Blackmore. To-day's proceedings were favoured with bright, if cold, weather, and there was a large gathering of representative men of the province. - There was a largo aAtemlunce when the Governor arrived and took his seat on the . platform near the foundation stone. He was welcomed by Mr E. Horrell, chairman of the Hospital Board, who presided at the function. The proceedings were opened by the presentation of an illuminated address of welcome, which was read by the secretary of the Hospital Board (Mr W. J. Wharton). Lord Liverpool briefly thanked the Board for the welcome accorded him. They were assembled, he said, to celebrate tlio inauguration of a hospital which commemorated the coronation of the King' and his gracious Consort. " As you will- recollect, at that time largo sums of money were collected all ever the world to celebrate the even:, and in the majority of cases the moneys were devoted either to objects of charity or utilised in somo way for the benefit of the public. To, none does the, cause of charity appeal more effectively than to their Majesties. Like us, they have their private joys anil sorrows, and with their people they have always associated themselves in dark days and fair. There-, fore it is indeed fitting that the building of this hospital., which we start today. should bear the Sovereign's name. It is a 'hospital which is going to bet devoted to a disease which has long baffled the greatest scientists of the medical world, and I am. sure no>_one will sav that we have even yet arrived at a final solution. Consumption lias been called the white man's scourge, though it is certainly not confined to the 'white race. Remembering as we do the great mortality - which took place in the eighteenth, and, indeed, in the early par.t of the nineteenth, century, we realise that the problems that seemed then impossible of solution have been to a. great extent satisfactorily solved, and consequently we see a large decrease in districts, where, comparatively a short time ago, the mortality was high. All this has been brought'a bout by the unswerving and indomitable efforts of medical men throughout the world, and wo earnestly pray thai' their exertions may be erpwncd witfi success- in tljeir fight against those diseases .which have so far baffled them. Little by little they - are surelv -train-uss ground, and I feci convinced that tTTeir magnificent perse-' veranee will in the long run nu?ct its sure reward. .' jThe Mayor of Christchurch (Mr H. Holland),,'who had been chairman of. the Coronation Committee, said that when some two years ago the Coronation Memorial had been mooted, a very willing band of workers had come forward to collect the funds. I he form of the memorial had been agreed on only after considerable deliberation, and the i memorial would not have been possible j hut for the very liberal response of the public enabling the committee t° hand to the Hospital Board a sum well, over £4OOO. which would earn a Government subsidy of 24s in the £. • Dr Blackmore, medical superintendent of the Sanatorium, wlio was asked to speak on the subject of consumption, said that investigations were being made all over the world into the cure of the disease, aiid education _ wa-s going on at the same time, while much money was being spent on buildings to cope with the disease. The would be one of those buildings that had been designed particularly for the purpose of taking advanced cases of consumption, and it served a much jvider purpose, because it served as a home for the cases, and also as a preventive measure. The eliief disseminators of the disease were the advanced cases, and in erecting homes for ' such eases the community not only provided them with the chance of regaining their health, but also took them away from their homesi, where, with the very best intentions in the world, they mustnecessarily be a danger to others. The sanatorium already erected might be called a house of hope, But assuredly hope would also enter jnto the new buildings. Even advanced cases could be cured, and every person who entered the institution would be given at least a fighting chance of his life. (Hear, hear.) Already there were three institutions for the combating of consumption, namely, the dispensary, the sanatorium. and lastly the home .for treating and giving relief to advanced cases. Yet the city needed" another institution. No provision had been made, for the consumptive child in the community, or for the child who was not yet consumptive, but would become so. _ A residence of a few months at the critical period of their lives on the health-giving hills or in some outdoor school would mean their salvation from a life-long disability. In any ease, the community could not eradicate consumption by putting up buildings, however costly and elaborate. Something more was necessary, and that' was the active cooperation and assistance of the people affected by the disease. It was one in which everybody's family was endangered, and it was for everybody to take part in the fight that was being waged against the disease. Jt was "impossible to make any . headway unless the public co-operated. Nowadays they were doing the thing and allowing others to do the thing that was against ■ their own interests. Success in the campaign would come not from the Government, the Hospital Boards, the doctors and-nurses, but from the people personally, and until they realised that fact- consumption would'continue to exist. When they did realise that it was in their hands to get rid oi it it would bo swept out of existence, not this year perhaps,. or next year, but assuredly in the not very distant future. (Aoplause.) The Hon R. H. Rhodes said that he was- pleased to be present at such an important step in the battle- against consumption. The disease could be largely prevented, and even in advanced cases cured, and that fact was an incentive to further effort-. During last- session of Parliament the medical superintendents of hospitals had niet in Wellington to confer on the subject, and he had just been informed that the resolutions come to would Jie available on Thursday. lie could assure the gathering that the .recommendations wotdd be given effect to l>y the Public Health Department, which would work in hearty co-operation with the Hospital Boards and the medical superintendents. It was honed soon to greatly diminish or stamp out the disease, lor in the last ten years the mortality in consumption cases had steadily decreased with the help of the medical fraternity, which was taking the campaign in hand. However, tho public must be educated, and in this, connection thoOtago .Daily Times" deserved much credit for publishing educative articles dealing with the matter. Ii augured well for the new institution, Mr Rhodes added, that the laying of its foundation stone should be the first official act of bis Excellency, and he could think in no I'etter act. The j>re*eu.<;" of Lord and

Ij.uly Liverpool wbuhl flo much to oil- j courage those who were lighting tho) disease, ami his ' Excellency's advice would lie gladly sought, in the matter. ]\|r Ilori'ell said:- -Voiir Excellency, Ladies and Gentlemen, — It is such occasions as this that re.wards those who take part in local government matters. When tile public finds the means and gives a whole-hearted support to those who have the duty <>t' furthering a great cause it is most encouraging. The Sanatorium buildings are u monument to tlio determination of the residents of the North Canterbury district to wage unceasing war upon one of mankind's most- fearful adversaries, and the stone which is to be laid by your Excellency to-day is another evidence of the same determination. But the public is behind the Hoard in this matter of fighting consumption, and I am sure that if the fight is well fought the public- will help the -Board to see it through. The money collected and now on deposit with the Chriscchurch City Council at 3 per centamounted to £-1191, which, with the Government subsidy, will make a total of £9227. The contract for the building was let for £10,450, so that there is still some £l2'2.'i to make tip, besides which the equipment and other fittings will pr.ibablv amount to another £2OOO. To assist us in reducing this deficiency and to afford another opportunity to those who have notalready subscribed to the fund, as well as to those who wish to supplement their contributions, collection boxes areplaced at the gate and elsewhere. 1. can assure you that whatever you feel disposed to give will be thankfully received and faithfully applied, and ■recollect that every pound so given will carry a • Government subsidy of 245. Tlio building is of such a.design, with its spacious verandahs and balconies, as to afford the patients the full benefit of pure air and sunshine. Great credit is diie' to Dr Blackmore for" the ■ manner m which the existing institution is conducted and for the success that -has' "attended his effort. He is more than a he is an enthusiast in the cure of tuberculosis. And" it is owing very likely to_ his advice that North Canterbury_ is at present leading the other , districts in Now Zealand in this matter. Tlio tuberculosis dispensary was opened on his recommendation', and such success is attending his work there that- I hope that at an earlv date branches will be established in the country towns. Of course, Dr Blackmore will need capable assistants, but he'-will be the general to organise and direct the Board's efforts in tlie campaign. I should like to sa.y here that all persons in the district are eligible to receive advice there, no matter whether tliey are rich or poor, and the advice to be so obtained is equal to,_ if not better than, that to be obtained in any other part- of the dominion. The work to be .dona at our doors is enormous, • and principally amongst tile Maoris is this work necessary. To bring j this campaign to a successful .issue not only North Canterbury but all the hospitals and charitable aid districts must I act in unison, and this unity of effort must be brought about by the example of a few districts and the urging of the Health Department, under the direction of Dr Valintine, another strenuous fighter in this matter. His Department is now formulating a plan of campaign, so that all the districts in New Zealand will act as one, and I am hopeful that by continuous and •determined, effort- the purpose of this hospital, of which I am about to ask your Excellency to lav the foundation stone, inav be diverted to some other cause within the course of one or t\vo generations. • The Board' of which I. havfc the -honour' to be the, chairman is prepared to grapple •with the matter with both bands, and I am sure' that no - matter what the cost, there will be no dissentient voice on tlio Board, nor from, the public, if we fight with a determination to, conquer and ' thus save thousands of our kindred from the suffering and death which consumption entails. And now, your Excellency, nothing remains to be said,, except to thank, your. Excellency and Lady Liverpool for coming here today to help us and hearten us in our effort, and I hare much pleasure in asking'you to lay the foundation etone of this hospital for advanced cases of consumption, to be erected' as a memorial of the Coronation of our gracious King; whose veijrn we sincerely hope mid trust may be long and peaceful. I will now ask';'Mr Taylor, the builder, to hand your Excellency the necessary tools with which to lay the stone. His Excellency .was then handed a silver trowel by the contractor and a sealed brass tube, containing a brief history of the inception of the building. The tube was placed in f a., recegs under the stone, and bis., Excellency declared the stone well and truly laid. 'Cheers were then given for Lord and Ladv Liverpool, and his Excellency replied, thanking the gathering for its very cordial welcome.