WAIKARI HOSPITAL.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 20042, 3 September 1920, Page 2

WAIKARI HOSPITAL.

' "t» ~ • OPENING CEREMGNY, : ' Waikan Cottage Hospital was formally opened yesterday afternoon, amid considerable district enthusiasm, and under ideal conditions. function. attracted a very large attendance from ail pans or the country. The site chosen for the building, was applauded by the great majority of those present yesterday, and the h6spital itself wa<also generally admired. It is erected on an eminence handy to the station, and it commands a beautiful view of hills and valley. Of timber painted stone-colour and brown, with iron roof of red, tlie structure has a. bungalow appearance more than that of an institution, and every detail seems to have been carefully thought out. The ac- ; commodation is to provide for six ma-' ternity beds and three casualty. cases, which it is believed will be ample iii normal times. The ground floor- holds the wards, operating theatre, the matron's sitting-room, and " duty " rooms, whilst upstairs are the staff , quarters, nurses' sitting-room, etc. All the patients' rooms open on the wide sunny balconies, and altogether every advantage has been taken of the possibilities of the building and ho site, The grounds are about threfc acres in extent, and there is a. good wafer, supply and septic-lank drainage. The new instioution has already some history, _beeauso the choice of site led to considerable local discussion. When Waikari was definitely chosen, laud was I purchased from the trustees of the late | Mrs Townend. Messrs Collins and Harman were appointed the architects, and Mr Joseph Taylor was the successful tenderer for the building, the total cost of which, will exceed £6OOO, another WW being expended on the furnishing. Dr Cbnhor, formerly of Dunedin, but now resident at Waikari, will be the medical officer in charge, with Mis* Gilkes as matron. The latter'p appointment appears to be most popular among those she is likely to serve. Miss Gilkes, when the influenza epidemic was raging, volunteered; her services to the Hospital Board, and was sent to Waikari where she did excellent work. Subsequently she was in charge of the Oxford Cottage Hospital, leaving that for her latest appointment. Misn"uilkes will be assisted by a nurse and a torobationer, and the customary dome-'tio staff. The JN'oftb Canterbury Hospital Board was represented yesterday by Mr H. J Otley (chairman), Mesdames ' Wilson and Greta, Miss Muir and Miss Pike, and Messrs T. IX Boag, J. Worry, H. B. Sorensen, W. J. Walter, F."W goyne, D. M'Millan, H. i'aterson, Mi Bethell, I<\ Horrell and W. S. Wharton (secretary). Dr Telford, District Health Officer, was also among these present. The day's arrangements were supervised by Mr R. Evans, as chairman of the Waipara County Council. He was accompanied by Mrs JDvans, who performed the opening ceremony, and Miss Brans.- Aa a preliminary to the public portion of the day's' doings, luncheon provided by tho ladies of the district was served in a marquee to the Christchurch and other visitors. Mr Jivanß presided. After the loyal toast had been honoured, Mr W. H. Anderson, in moving a vote of thanks and a hearty welcome to the Hospital Board members, said that on behalf of the people of Waikari ho wished to place on record their hearty appreciation of the board's efforts, and also of all those -who had assisted in the direction of the erection of the hospital. Both site and building were very tine, and the institution was Sure to be appreciated by all who used itMr W. Ji>arl endorsed these remarks, and referred to the persistent effort* of Mr H, Holland to obtain what they had secured- Mr Holland had been like the man with a stick with a- nail at the end of it, driving a donkey. Mr Jfivans: He drove me hard'enough. (Laughter.) - 'Mr H. Holland supported the vote of thanks to the board, and said that he was quite sure the hospital' w v aa a step in the right direction, although verv serious cases of illness in the district would still have to go to Uhristchurch. The vote was carried with acclamation. In acknowledging the compliment, Mr Otley congratulated the district on its new acquisition, and said that it should meet all their requirements so far' as casualties were concerned. Farmers and others in the outlying districts would not be so handicapped in removing injured men as they had been in the past. Mrs Wilson said that the Hospital Board was endeavouring to meet the ueeds of the country.districts, and she had always been in sympathy with the cottage hospital movement. As one of an old A'ew Zealand family—her people cam© here in 1840~she could tell them many interesting happenings in the back-country of the North Island, especially Auckland and Wellington. She hoped that many women would come to the new hospital, and leave it with the best of health, and .with ha RPy, healthy babies who would be' a pride to their mothers and an asset to the community. (Hear, hoar.) Mr M. Bethell also congratulated the Waikari people, and -said that Ainuri and Cheviot intended to follow the example. A vote of thanks was accorded the Hospital Board's nursing and office staff. 6 At the formal opening there was an unexpectedly large attendance of the public. Mr Evans, in introducing Mr Otley, said that whatever the controversy in the past, they were all unanimous that they had done the right thing. • ■ ■ ? Mr Otley referred to the delay in the construction of the building,' but 'said that was unavoidable owing to labour and material, difficulties. The board realised the necessity for pr6vidin* temporary and maternity hospitals in the country districts, and wanted country residents to have the same facilities as tne townspeople enjoyed. Oountrv people should understand that the L'hristchurch Hospital was a! 66 theirs; the country hospitals were branches of Hie other. He hoped that the people would realise that the hospital was intended for all—there would be no cla?.distinctions. Those who could afford tr pay would be expected to pay, but the poor would be treated just as w&ll as

the others, although tljey could not afford to pay.,. He. paid .a. tribute to .the work done by Mr Evans and the men> bers of the "Waipara County Council, and urged district residents to assist in beautifying the grounds, and to take a real interest in the new hospital. . Mr F. Horrell said that the new buildmg was another link in the chain of country hospitals the board proposed to provide throughout its district, and he wished it every success. lie hoped the casualty wa,rds would be always empty and the maternity wards always full. (Applause.) Dr Telford referred to the close relationship between the Public Health Department and Hospital Hoards, and said that the State looked after the health of the individual even before he was born, and after he died. There were first institutions like St Helens Home, then the Pluuket nurses for children up to five years of age. At school, medical officers and nurses made their inspection, and in trading concerns and offices the State tried to obtain the best Conditions for the workers. When they died, the State saw that people were buried decently. Mr .Otley presented Airs Evans with a golden key and, inserting this in tho Jock and turning it, Mrs Evans formally declared the building open, amid cheers. The hospital wafe then opened for public inspection, and the gathermg rambled through the building. Afternoon tea was served t6 all-comers. Cheers, with hrusical honours, ■ were given to the ladies who provided the luncheon and afternoon tea, another round being raised, on Mr Evans’s su*; gestion, for their husbfmds, “ forlettiiTir them conie.” hj