HUTT AND PETONE NEWS.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 904, 25 August 1910, Page 8

HUTT AND PETONE NEWS.

(From Our Special Correspondent.) HOSPITAL FOR .THE VALLEY. ■ The meeting held in the Fetono Municipal Buildings last night for the purpose, of discussing the question of a hospital for the Hutt -Valley was well attended by representatives of local bodies from Petono, Hntt, Eastbourne, and members of the medical profession (including Dr'. Valintine, Inspec-tor-General of Hospitals). The Mayor "of Petone (Mr. J. W. Jl'Ewan) occupied the- chair. Mr. M'Ewan, in opening the proceedings, stated that the Hutt Valley representatives on the Hospital Board had had this matter before them' for some time, hut. they wished to have the people of the Valley behind them before they took the matter before the board. He thought that a hospital on the same 'lines as that of Otiiki (with a casualty' ward) would be most suitable. The cost of-maintenance of the Otaki Hospital was £1200, and its construction cost £21)00. Ho would suggest that a committee he formed, and the local members of the medical prqfession inspect the site' purchased by the late Hospital. Board,- and report as to its suitabiltiy. Mr. E. C. Kirk said that the Wellington District Hospital received patients from all over the district, and even outside the district. If this were, continued the Hntt Valley would Tcquire a hospital, and it was the hoard's duty to provide ,one;: but it was his opinion that it would bo better to provide the means of getting patients to Wellington than to orec't a hospital. He would suggest up-to-date motor-ambulances, so that in cases of accident or otherwise, quick conveyance could l>e' ensured. Dr. Valintine was not in favour of the establishment of a hospital in the Valley. ■ There were already fifty-three hospitals, which , number (compared with other countries) showed that we had our full share. If a hospital wore erected in the Hutt Vallqy, could better treatment bs administered than was now being given, with an up-to-date hospital seven miles away? He would oppose tho scheme of a hospital for the Valley. - Mr. E: P. Bunny was surprised that sounder argument had not been quoted in favour of this movement. . He wpidd like to know what would bo tho cost of the scheme if it wero carried out. At the, present time he was not ill -.favour of tho , proposal. Mr. Baldwin said that if the cost'of upkeep of tho institution was £12000 per year, the sum to be found ■by Hutt, and Petone- woujd bo £100. ■ Dr. Hector remarked that, at a recent meeting of local doctors, they had come to the conclusion that the present site would not do, and they favoured oho near the now bridge. A hospital for the Valloy would be a distinct asset. There, were,-cases where it would mean danger, if the patients were carried.from the,the Hutt Valley to Wellington. . . . Mr. R. W.'Short was in favour of a hospital, and stated : that he would-also like to see' a maternity ward connected with it. . He moved: "That this meeting take into consideration the question of establishing a hospital for. the Hutt Valley.". ' . ' Mr. Piper, in.speaking/to t-ho.motion, saidthat the" question ,was: Could they, afford it? The first question that arose was: What.-would'.bo tho! cost? . If what Mr. Baldwin had said regarding the cost was correct then ho. felt sure that no ono would demur. - Ho had been' a resident of" tho district .for 21, years and ■ had seen a - lot .of, accident and sickness, and, to his mind, there had buen a lot of unnecessary- suffering. . -. .'".'..■'.■ Mr. MVEwan, in summing up, pointed out' that this meeting was ,a preliminary one,'and all that was "required was that the tiistriot ho placed in the same position as Otaki. If this movement, came to .nothing ho hoped that f.ho board would proyido an up-to-date ambulance. Tho object, was to mcot the requirements of people who' could not afford to pay tho necessary cost : (305.) to procure an.ambulance wagou. What was "the cost compared -'to'the' health of. tho community? ■'!■-.■ Dr.. Harding said: that he appeared in a dual capacity. As a medical prac-. Utioner ho was in favour of tho proposal, but as a' member of the Petono Borough Council, he was opposed, to the scheme. The cost of maintenance, of ■ small hospitals was, comparatively speaking, much greater than tho' upkeep of a large institution.. Mr. London submitted that unless il could lie shown that the object was tominimise suffering lie was afraid that the object would not. be attained; ' Mr. Hawthorn suggested that, tho Mayors'of Hutt and Petone- should call another public meeting . and ; obtain a stronger expression of opinion. Hβ advocated a public subscription. N Ho felt' sure that the. money could ! ho laised locally. He would mora as an amendment: "That.a public meeting-bo called." ' •.-■■■ Mr. Short withdrew hi* motion in favour : .of the amendment. -.This was carried. •..' , .. "SEEN FROM A MISSION VAN." ; A lecture was given in tho Primitive Methodist Church, Petone, last night by the'Rw. H. Cottomon "Tho South of England Seen .from a Mission Van." Tho speaker described work among tho hop-pickers and rural labourers of Kent, referred to tho good work being done in the villages by tho lay workers of the Free Churches, and to the difficulties of religious work in the Thames Valley. A hearty vote of thanks was accorded' thoj lecturer at the. close, ST. DAVID'S CHURCH, PETONE. Tho annual congregational meeting.of St. David's Church, Petone, was held last evening, the Ecv. A. Thqmson (Moderator) presiding. The various reports and balancosheets, in 'connection with the Church were read and adopted. These indicated progress in all departments. Tho church membership had increased, and the attendances at lilio uuarteily communions Were'also larger than was the ciso for the previous year. '■ The Sunday School . report stated that'the work'during tho past year had been ■■ very satisfactory. ' The . library had been added to, and creditable, re-sults-had been achieved by tho scholars at the 'examinations conducted by theGeneral Assembly. The balance-sheet showed that £200' has been paid off the church debt, and assets in excess of liabilities amounted to £2617. " . - .:..-■'. ■

The clerk announced- that the past practice of holding an annual bazaar had been abandoned last year, and that a personal canvass had been substituted. Tho results, hod proved a great deal better. Tho collections a-nd pew rents also showed . a satisfacory increase. • '■' The following were elected to , the Poartl of Haggett and Morris. Tho filling of two other, vacancies was left in ho hands of tho Bqard of Managers. : . ' W'ONE POLICI! COURT. - At the Petone Police Court yesterday, before Messrs. . W. Inglis and AVakeham, J.P.'s, a youiig man named Daniel Cummings, charged witli behaving in a. disorderly manner, was convicted and discharged. On a second charge- of using improper language, he was fined £10, with tho option of three' months' imprisonment. . .