HOSPITAL BOARD ELECTION.

Horowhenua Chronicle, 14 March 1910, Page 3

HOSPITAL BOARD ELECTION.

MAYOR OF LEVIN'S VIEWS

In connection with the Wellington District Hospital Board election the Mayor of Levin (Mr B. R. Gardener) addressed a well attended meeting nt the Town Hall, Weraroa, on Saturday even in."'. The Mayor, who was cordially received, entered into a detailed criticism of hospital administration, the cost of which, he said, had increased during the last twelve years from £01,000 'to £250,000. The Charitable Aid and Hospital combined had gone up from £177.000 to £360,000. Tf things went on increasing at that rate one could hardly realise what would be the end. Speaking about the patients' fees, he said that £IG,OOO was collectable at tho Wellington and Otaki institutions during the last financial year, and yet it was found that only £3.500 had been collected, leaving a deficiency of over £12,000. Out of 2700 _ patients nt the Wellington Hospital it was found only GOO had paid. In the Horowhenua county in 1900 the levies amounted to £763. Now, includinn- the borough the levies were about £1700. Few people were aware of the costliness of the Otaki Hospital and Sanatorium. Sneaking of the hospital the Mayor said that the original intention of those who were in favour of it was that it should be used for serious accidents and urgent cases, which could not reach Wellington in time to be dealt with. But now the institution had outgrown itself altogether, and there had been,and was to-day, unlimited and extravagant expenditure. Reverting to the Wellington Hospital, he said tliat during the y?ar 1909. although the patients were less, than they were in the previous year, the expenditure had been over £3000 more. This was ncrounted for, inter alia, by increases in salaries, and the cost of fuel and provisions. Making a comparison between Auckland and Wellington, it was found in 1908-1909 that the collective visits in Wellington Hospital were 23,750; in Auckland during the same "eriod, there were Oitily G538, leaving 17,000 _ more visits from this class of patients in Wellington than in Auckland. This, in his opinion, showed thnt the Wellington Hospital was being imposed upon by persons who should seek elsewhere for medical relief. Tn regard to the Sanatorium he still maintained thnt the report of four or five lines issued by the Hospital Inspector did not give sufficient information to guide tlie public as to the good of the institution. 'he report simply stated thnt so many persons had left the institution and were able to follow their usual occupation, and so many were partially cured, and so many had died. Tn his opinion there was nothing to prove how long they were able to continue at their vocations. He maintained that at least a threemonthly report should be obtainable in reference to these patients for two years. The Sanatorium had cost over £16,000 in buildings, and was costing annually close limn £3000 for maintenance fees. He condemned the svstem of allowing hospitals to add sanatoria to their buildings, and _ in _ conclusion said that if the public did him the honour of electing him he_ would certainly advocate a more rigid inspection and supervision of the consumptive patients, who should be absolutely isolated and not allowed to leave the institution on their own account to further sow the seeds of this much dreaded disease. (Applause). Mr J. McLeavey moved a resolution to the effect that Mr Gardener was a fit and proper person to represent the district on the Hospital Board, and thanked him for his able address. Mr Palmer hopprl that all present would give Mr Gardener their unanimous supnort. Mr H. J. Richards entered a stmng protest against the heavy cost of running the Hosnital, and declared that the nurses' home was too elaborate. A thing a ciuarter the cast would have been sufficient. Air Bartholomew supported the Mayor's candidature, and hoped, if elected, he would try to rectify matters. The resolution was carried unanimously, and the Mayor briefly replied.