SANATORIUM ISSUE

Chronicle (Levin), 15 February 1949, Page 2

SANATORIUM ISSUE

Could Be Solved By Extension To Present Building \ A deputation from the Commer-i cial Association waited on the Otaki Borough Council on Wed-j nesday night, and discusse'd the' question of the new sanatorium. The deputation comprised Mrs. W. Wilson, and Messrs. A. W. Buxton, H. B. Edhouse, W. McBeth and H. ; Taylor. Introducing the deputation, Mr. McBeth said that it was the desire of the association .to put forward Otaki 's claims in the matter of the new sanatorium proposals, and pointed out that there appeared to be dissension over the site chosen. His association was of the opinion that there should be ample acreage where the present sanatorium is located, and suggested that if more land was nee;ded, 'adjacent land could no doubt be obtained. Mrs. W. Wilson supported -Mr. McBeth, in his statement that land was available. The present site of 81 acres' could doubtless be increased by an extra 15 acres. A party having inspected the site were led to believe that the products of the sanatorium farm had a bearing on the matter. Surely the city supply which operated in 'Otaki and served many institutions could be utilised in this instance also, adde'd Mrs. Wilson. Mr. A. W. Buxton agreed with the views expressed. He stated that not only was the present site admirable but also that the climate could not be bettered. Surely the health aspect was the first consideration, said the speaker, an'd added that there was no healthier place in New Zealand than Otaki. Mr. H. B. Edhouse said that he felt that 81 acres should be large enough for any ' sanatorium project. If it was not, then he agreed with other speakers that there should not be any 'difficulty in arranging for additional land by transfer. In the speaker's opinion the additional land should cater for requirements for many years to come. He felt that the proposal to take a vast area of land out of production as had been discussed when the site of the new sanatorium was decided on, was inconceivable and that the powers that be had sadly neglected the present institution. Compared with nearby institutions, the present buildings were antiquated, continued Mr. Edhouse, and yet they were supposed to cater for the treatment of sufferers of one" of the worst diseases. He added that it was freely stated that staff problems had a bearing on the proposal to build else where. "No wonder they can't ho'd staff under the deplorable conditions which have prevailed here," he added. Mr. H. Taylor referred to the time when the present site at Otaki had been chosen, and said the district had been covered and the site of the present institution had been decided on, because it had the sunniest aspect throughout the district. The Mayor, Mr. C. F. Atmore, thanked the deputation for so ably presenting its views, and outlined discussions he had had with the chairman of the Western Districts Joint Sanatorium Committee, after the Commercial Associations deliberations had been made known to him. He stated that he had been informed that the position was that if the site decided on for the new sanatorium was not acquired within a few weeks the Joint Sanatorium Committee would discuss abandoning the site under review. He added that he. had advised the chairman of the joint committee of the opinion of the association and he had received the reply that the committee would be free to consider other claims when matters under review had been disposed of. Councillor McKinley expressed his pleasure at the deputation bringing the matter before the council and |elt Otaki should have advanced its claims earlier. The deputation had his full support. Councillor Cook spoke in a similar strain, and said the couhcil would doubtless be pleased to support the deputation. Mr. Atmore recommended that the deputation consider the ap- 1 proach they desired to make. He' gathered there was no intention of any attempt to force the issue, or to by-pass the joint committee

and agreed that if the Minister of Health did not 'take the site clicsen, then the position would be re-discussed. He favoured a deputation waiting 011 the joint committee. Mr. Buxton agreed and added that a vast amount of capital expenditure could surely be saved if the present site which was admirably laid out, could be i-mproved on. It was decided that the Mayor write to Mr. Nash asking if he would arrange for the Western Districts Joint Sanatorium Committee to meet a deputation.