HOSPITAL FOR CHRONIC CONSUMPTIVES.

Press, Volume L, Issue 14985, 4 June 1914, Page 7

HOSPITAL FOR CHRONIC CONSUMPTIVES.

OPENED BY THE HON. R. H.

RHODES

Yesterday afternoon, i>n tlio presence of an interested gathering, the Hon. It. H. Rhodes, Minister of Public Health, opened-tho King Creonre V. Coronation Memorial Hospital, which has been erected at Cashmere Hills in connexion with the Consumption Sanatorium. _fhe money for the erection of the building was contributed by. the citizens of Christchurch, and received a Government subsidy. Some of the patients were removed from the Sanatorium proper on Tue-dayj. go that tho hospital was in occupation for yesterday's ceremony.

Proceedings wero opened by a prayer from Bishop Julius, after which speeches were made by Mr F. Horrell, chairman of the Board, the Mayor. Mr H. Holland, Bishop Grimes, the Hon. H. F. Wigram, and Dr. Blackmore. COMPLIMENTARY SPEECHES. , The -l.ai>rn_an expressed his pleasure at .witnessing the culmination of the offorts of the ladi_s..and gentlemen who had worked so strenuously three years as?o. There could bo no nobler service than the alleviation of human suffering, and no greater work than the protection of- publio health. The delay : n completing the buiMing liad been unavoidable. The nionev had been collected in 1911 and a tender for £10,4.0 accepted in October., 1912. The foundation stone had. been laid in January, 1913, and now tlio building was completed. VThe building and equipment had cost over £15,000, of which £41.9 .was subscribed by tho public and £4990 came from . subsidy. The balance was paid, out of rates, and s\ibsidy. There was reason to;.be proud of the North .Canterbary district, as no word of complaint had been. mado at the cost of erecting tbe institut-on. In conclusion., ho expressed his pleasure at having tho Minister, of Public Health and tho Mayor present. .(App.au.-e.).."".."; .; The Mayor (Mr H. Holland) after recounting the .means .which hod bo.n taken to bring about the construction of the hospital, expressed his gratification at the siiocessful completion of the work. The community could be congratulated upon, such a testimony of humanity and kindliness in their midst. Tlio Government' had" been generous to -the movement, and would be n.ked for further assistance in cwmexion with tho open-air home for'chi'dren. Tlio collection of £3000 fey that hosp-thlVas first aimed at.'Vnd its ultimato growta had been gratifying to all.- - OTHER SPEAKERS. , Bishop Grimes said that those who had been responsible 1 for' the erection of this hospital must .rave been actuated by a sentiment, he had heard expressed by a speaker at a church congress in Brussels. This was that to help the distressed and suffering and to apeak comforting words to tho .sorrowful was not onlv-a'duty but a Im-r----privilege. It was-very lining, ho added, that the member of fhe Government present should bear "the name whic. was inseparably connected with the Rhodes Convalescent. Home. (Loud applause.) Hii. Lordshn>. in the'course of a very eloquent Jiddress. referred to a number of charitable and hospital in- ! strtutions in the city, and said that I such humanity and sympathy contra.tel ' .iroTiderfullv with tbe callousness and in- j difference displayed by tho pagan world. •'A:\plause.) '-»''-.. '

I'll© Hon. H. F. W ? ipram compared tho hospital to a blockhouse erected against consumption. He outlined the measures bo:ng taken asainst consumption; and said that the Government should make a national crusade against the evil. It would cost a great de .1 of money, but would result in an enormous saving in valuable lives. All parties would support such a crusade (Applause.) The work of Dr. Blackmore was specially referred to.

DR. BLACKMORE-S REMARKvS. Dr. Blackmore opened by saying thai Christchurch could feoi justifiabh proud of its record' for providing treat ment for the consumptive patient Four years ago there were no institutions in Canterbury for the sole treatment of the dread disease, but now there was a sanatorium with 62 beds a hospital for advanced cases with 44 beds, and a tuberculosis dispensary which dealt with 130 or 140 patients a month. The motto of the institution being ooened would not be "Abandon hope all ye. who enter here," because it was impossible to say whether any case of consumption was curable or not. That hospital would deal with advanced cases, but its atmosphere would be one of hope and cheerfulness. The country and not the patients alone would be benefited by the withdrawal of advanced cases from their midst. This institution would do more than any yet established to cope with the of consumption, but at' tbe same" time the necessity that existed for so large an institution was somewhat a reproach to the community. Neglect had obtianedin the past, but this hospital would atone for much of that. There would be thirty' patients hi residence hy the end week, bnt ho bopel that this institution would be regarded ; as merely a temporary one and would j, in time make room for another. Bfforo the Minister, declared the] building open, the chairman said he! desired to thank Mr Rhodes, on behalf j of-the Board, very heartily for tho •

kindness and courtesy ho had always shown towards' it and the valuable assistance the Government had given tho Board in its work.

A golden key was then presented lo tho Minister, with which he opened the building in an official manner. The inscription on the key was as follows:

—"King George V. Coronation Memorial Hospital opened by the Hon. It. Heaton Rhodes, Minister of Hospitals, June 3rd, 1914." I The key was the gift of the contractor, Mr Taylor.