HOSPITALS AND CHARITABLE AID. Separation of Waikato from Auckland.

Waikato Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2151, 22 April 1886, Page 2

HOSPITALS AND CHARITABLE AID. Separation of Waikato from Auckland.

The following is a full report of the discu-i-sion on Mr Lake's motion, which took place at Monday nights' meeting of the Auckland Hospital and Charitable Aid Board :— Mr Lake moved in accordance with notice, " That this meeting rec iininenJ the Government to separate the di>tru-f 5 of Waikato, "Raglan, and the borough of Hamilton train the Auckland district, u'ilh a view to making a separate district under the corporate name of the distiict of W.ukato. Mr Lake in support of his motion, said he did not mean to go into the facts and figures that had been produced, but he pointed out that members beyond Meicer coutd exercise no control over over the expenditure, for an adjournment, or any question, would prevent members from attending. He asked whether, in ttyo face of this, Waikato, Waipa, &c, should 11 ->t cro in for forming a district of their own. What they need was this, to urge that while £1300 w.\s taken from the«e districts they had only an expenditure of £48. He pointed out the great cost of expenditure of Raglan and Waikato members for attending meetings was a reason why these district!) should be separated. Mr Barngh seconded the resolution, considering that the congestion of pauperism in the cities was most undesirable. Mr Ptgler suppotted the resolution. The county which h<> teprexeuted was determined to support the motion of Mr Lake, and urged that thoy should not be appointed on the Board when they could baldly expect to ieach the meeting. If they remained members of the Board they could do them nn r > good, and he hoped Mr Waddel and others would let them depart tn peace. Mr Kidd ouposed the motion. The errors in the Act were not theirs, and they may be remedied, but his impression was that unity was strength. If division was allowed it would throw a heavy burden on the Auckland ratepayers. Auckland did not produce all the sick and destitute. They came from the surrounding districts, and none of those districts could provide the same requirements as were now provided in Auckland. Mr Meckechnio concurred that the mistake was in makincr the districts too large, and he thought they should concur in the notice of motion, as it was only & recommendation to the Government. Mr Mays opposed tiro motion, as it proposed the cutting off of the districts from contribution. It would be selfish and unpatriotic to exhibit a desire to nhirk responsibility. He pointed out that it was in the power of t this Board to establish hospitals in our districts. If they proceeded as indicated, every district would clamour for local and, charitable aid, but they must not adopt the system of pauperism. The people of Waikato had got hold of a cry, but they v were taxed no more than the people of Waitemata. He thought it selfishness that one portion of the district should try to throw their burden on their neighbours. Colonel Haultain sympathised with the motion, and supported it. So far as selfishness was concerned they were all imbued with it, and if these gentlemen were prepared to support their own charitable institutions, they should do so. The chairman supported the resolution, aud pointed out the great cost at which country members attended the meetings of the Board. Mr Suiter opposed the motion. Mr Lake replied, especially as to Mr May's remarks, also those of Mr Suiter, and pointed out that they only asked the assistance of the Board in stating that they considered the district was too large. The motion was then put. Messrs M.ickechnie, Haultain, Barugh, Pegler, Lake, Hudson, Mitchelfeou, and the Mayor voted for the motion ; and Messrs Maj.s, Suiter, Wilkinson, and Kidd against. The motion was therefore Carrie^,