Greymouth Evening Star. AND BRUNNERTON ADVOCATE MONDAY, JUNE 3, 1901. HOSPITAL ACCOMMODATION.

Greymouth Evening Star, Volume XXXI, 3 June 1901, Page 2

Greymouth Evening Star. AND BRUNNERTON ADVOCATE MONDAY, JUNE 3, 1901. HOSPITAL ACCOMMODATION.

The early completion of the New Hospital is forcing itself upon public attention. The old wooden structure has seen its best days ; indeed in spite of extra cleanliness, and frequent coats of paint, there is no denying the fact that the edifice is becoming unfit, if not absolutely unsafe, for the treatment of the sick and injured. The continuation of the building—the first wing of which is completed—is therefore imperative. If the question of " ways and moans " could be answered the erection would be easy. But that is just where there is a block. The Trustees have not the cash to proceed with the work ; indeed there is a large deficiency on the first wing that will have to be provided for ere long. To meet £962 the Trustees have £lB2 in

hand, the not proceeds from the Carnival. Upon this amount a subsidy of 30/- in the £ will be given by Government, making a total of £B3O ; leaving a deficiency of £G32 to be provided for. It is, therefore, evident that the Trustees without extra aid will be unable to undertake further work for at least twelv9 months; if even then. What then is to bo done ? Are we to rest satisfied with the present institution ? If we do so rest satisfied we shall be guilty of almost criminal neglect. Without desiring to be alarmists, we believe wg are stating facts when we declare that the old structure is insanitary and unfit for any serious operations being performed within its walls. And if it is insanitary and unfit for operations, it is unfit and unsafe for the treatment of patients suffering from any complaint. It is, therefore, imperative that the new structure be proceeded with as quickly as possible. We hold strongly to the opinion that the cost of building hospitals should come out of the consolidate funds of the cjlony, but as there is little chance of this being agreed to by the Government of the day we must turn in another direction. It is evident, as stated by Mr Inrdy that further attempts at raising funds by means of baazars and carnivals are useless—the novelty has worn off, and the people will not attend; besides there is a feeling abroad that the fairer way by far is to raise the funds in such a manner, that all shaU contribute their share. Of course, if the Government would erect the structure the cost would fall equally. But this the Ministry decline to do. The next best coursa is one formunicated by Mr Lord, and it has much to recommend it. He estimates the cost of completion at £IO,OOO, and suggests that the local bodies should find half tho amount, the general Government the other half, This we believe Mr Seddon is agreeable to do. In regard to such contributions by the local bodies it is pointed out that the " Hospitals and Charitable Aid Act, 1885," clause 32, gives the necessary power to borrow for the erection of hospital buildings, and tho " Public Health Act, 1900," clauses 37 and 88, sub-sections 1 to 12, makes it imperative when oi'dered by the Health Officer, and it is also provided that two or mora local bodies may combine in providing a hospital, the cost of which is to be subsidised by the Government

at the same rate as provided in the " Hospitals and Charitablo Aid Act, 1885." If the ,£SOOO js borrowed from the Government at 4-}% for interest and sinking fund, 52 half-yearly instalments of £ll2 10s will extinguish the loan, the amount required annually being .£225. The capital value of the rateable property in the three districts is approximately : Grey County ... £370.000 Grey Borough ... 312,000 Brunner Borough ... 80,000 £7(52,000 Koughly, a rate of 1-IJth of a penny in the £ would cover the interest and sinking fund, and the levy from each contributor would be : Grey County, say. ... £199 0 0 Grey Borough ~ ... 92 3 0 Brunner Borough ... 2;? 11 0 Animal levy ... £225 0 0 If the loan is made to extend over 10 years in lieu of 20, the annual levy will only be £175. In his speech at the opening of the new wing the Premier seemed to favor this scheme, and by adopting it the hospital will be finished in two or fchreo years, and become useful, whilst at the present rate of going it will drag over half a century in an unfinished state and bocome a standing disgrace, to the community,