DOCTOR FOR SHANNON

Chronicle (Levin), 4 October 1946, Page 3

DOCTOR FOR SHANNON

HOUSE STILL A PROBLEM Obtaining a suitable house for Shannon's resident doctor is still presenting a problem to those who are anxious that the town should have its own doctor. At the fortnightly meeting of the Shannon Borough Council held on Tuesday evening, a letter addressed -to Mr. J. Thorn, M.P., and signed by the Minister of State Advances (Hon. W. • Nash) , was read. The letter was in reply to representations made by the Mayor (Mr. R. E. Downes) regarding the difficulty being experienced in securing a doctor for Shannon owing to there being no suitable accommodation available, and the possibility of obtaining a State rental house for a doctor. The Miruster stated that it was quite open for a doctor intending to practice in Shannon to make application in the normal way for a State rental house. The applicant would, however, have to compete with other applicants, and his prospects of obtaining a State house would be dependent on the degree of housing urgency of the existing applicants. The Minister pointed out that in his opinion the more satisfactory course would be for the doctor to consider the advisability of either building or purchasing a home. The State Advances Corporation would view sympathetically any application for finance, and the Palmerston North officer would be pleased to supply full information about the corporation's lending policy. In regard. to the point raised by the Mayor as to the scheme for advancing moneys to local bodies for housing purposes, the Minister pointed out that the scheme required a minimum number of six houses and did not provide for building a house for a selected individual. It is understood that two doctors are willing to commence praGtice .in Shannon, subject to suitable ' accommodation being available.