AMBULANCE SERVICES IN HUTT VALLEY

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 219, 10 June 1921, Page 6

AMBULANCE SERVICES IN HUTT VALLEY

CHANGE OF CONTROL SUGGESTED.

The following letter has been addressed to the Town Clerk of Petone. by the secretary of the local Ambulance Van Committee. “Tho Petone Motor Ambulance Van Committee feels that the time has arrived for placing tho ambulance van services for the Hutt Valley and districts on a wider and more efficient basis. At the present time a van is run, under the control of tho Hutt Borough, practically solely for the use of residents of that borough, and another van is run by tho Petono Ambulance Van Committee (a purely voluntary body), which committee holds itself open to serve, and does serve, the whole of tho valley and districts including Upper Hutt, Wainui, and all tho district on the eastern side of the harbour. The services of neither of these vans can be considered entirely satisfactory and efficient, largely on account. of tho absence of permanent drivers and' direct telephone services. Tho Petone committee has for some time been aware of the deficiencies of its service, and as at times human lives depend on an efficient service, it feels that it is imperative that a permanent driver should bo appointed, and to this end suggests that a combined committee consisting of delegates from tho Petone Borough Council, Lower Hutt Borough Council, Hutt County Council, and Upper Hutt Town Board should bo set up to control and finance tho service for tho whole district. -The present committee would hand over ths whole'of its assets, ' which comprise the van and about .£3OO. It is hoped that the Lower Hutt Borough may hand over its van, and that the committee would be financed by foes from patients, hospital subsidy, subsidies from local bodies, and public subscriptions. As a preliminary to such an arrangement, I am instructed by my committee to call a conference of delegates from each of tho local bodies to discuss the matter. The conference will be held in tho Petone Municipal Buildings at 8 p.in. on Wednesday, June 22. As this is a most important matter concerning human life, you are earnestly requested io appolit two delegates to the conferohoo."