CLOSING SANATORIUM

Waikato Independent, Volume XXI, Issue 2419, 23 June 1921, Page 4

CLOSING SANATORIUM

MINISTER’S ACTION APPROVED Before closing the Cambridge Borough Council meeting oy Tuesday night His Worship the Mayor mentioned ihe decision of the Minister of Public Health to close the To Waikato Sanatorium. The Borough, he stated, had taken no part in the interviews re’this matter, but he thought/ the Council should express its opinion on the decision to close the institution, in view of the fact that a certain gentleman who had had much experience in such matters was takiiiglsteps. to keep the Sanatorium in olejmtion. Personally, said Mr Lewis, N he thought the Sanatorium a miserable burden on the State and an economic blunder. Owing to its unsuitable situation the cost of maintenance at the institution was about double what it, should be. From the Cambridge point of view the Sanatorium had been a reproach to the town for many years. (Hear, Hear!) The outside public thought that the Sanatorium was situated right in the town; and until they embarked on an advertising scheme for the town this wrong impression would continue to prejudice outsiders against Cambridge. Mr Lewis expressed pleasure at the Minister’s decision to close the institution, and expressed the hope that no part of the buildings would again used for similar purposes, as it was quite possible that private enterprise might be able to secure the present, buildings. Several Councillors endorsed the Mayor’s remarks. Cr. Calvert said the Sanatorium should have been closed down years ago. On Cr Gascoigne’s motion it was unanimously resolved that the Gouncil approve of the Minister’s decision to close the .Sanatorium.

The Mayor stated that in the past many deaths which*- occurred at the Sanatorium had been debited to Cambridge, and once the Sanatorium were closed Cambridge’s statistics would show an improvement.