STATUS OF WAIHI HOSPITAL

Waihi Daily Telegraph, Volume XXX, Issue 8496, 1 August 1933, Page 2

STATUS OF WAIHI HOSPITAL

NEED FOR EFFICIENCY IN CASE OF ACCIDENTS RESOLUTION TO MINISTER The accident at the Waihi mine,involving injuries to twelve men, should again stir us to action in connection with hospital matters, said the chairman of the Waihi branch of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union, Mr A. H. Blackmore, at the monthly meeting of that body on Friday evening last. The speaker went on to say that, subject to the approval of members, he proposed to again draw the attention of the Minister of Health, Hon. J. A. Young, to the fact that the Waihi hospital was controlled and collects the whole of its levy from the ratepayers of Waihi, which was only a small town. The settlers of the surrounding districts paid a hospital rate to the Thames hospital which was 40 miles distant. Settlers from Whangamata needing medical attention had to travel 25 miles to pass through the Waihi township, and then go on to Thames, a further 40 miles, if they wished to attend their own hospital. At a glance one could see the * absolute absurdity of the position. The settlers near Waihi had on numerous occasions tried to have their area included in the Waihi hospital district so as to consolidate the hospital, and that they might receive treatment there.

At present, however, only the most urgent cases were allowed in the Waihi institution unless a guarantee of the payment of 15s per day was given. A referendum was taken by the people of the Waihi township as to whether they should amalgamate with Thames, but this was defeated, as they were evidently prepared to keep on paying a very high hospital rate so long as they could maintain a good hospital. Waihi differed from most places in that the population was almost wholly made up of miners, who were subject to accidents on account of the nature of their work. While they were now past asking favours as other requests had been evaded and put aside, they should nevertheless ask the Minister to look into the matter and have it rectified, whatever the difficulties.

A resolution endorsing the chairman’s remarks was carried and representations will be made to Mr Young on the subject.