Levin's Mayor.

Horowhenua Chronicle, 23 August 1911, Page 3

Levin's Mayor.

OX HOSIVLTAL ADM IN IS'I Jf ATION. At tho mooting of the Wellington Hospital and Ch-arita-blo Aid Board, at Wellington yesterday, All' .15. Ji. Gardener expressed astonishment attho growth of the oiU-p-.t e Jiis' ;iypartmenb and the decline in tees in proportion. He said the past winter had been one of the i;.\>t experienced for many years, ana very few casuals had retpii.-v.! n.-sistance in :h is district (Levi"). lb see mod to 'him that there was not- .suiiieient supervision shown in the outpatient's department, when -;0i) people in a city like V. e!lpinion required to avail tl.onisolvc* nl it, fveragiiijo; 51d per patient. 'I here could not 1)0 500 people in Mi: - city in one year .absolutely in need oi medical assistance in this way. there must 'be a terrible- lot oi imposition going on. It was a disgrace to a- city like 1 Wellington to be in this state of poverty. Mr Kirk agreed that Mr Gardener's criticism was a .just one regarding the fees, and ihe -had no doubt the committee wuiiiJ iu-ok carefully into the matter. He could, only suggest that the doctors had got tired of doing work for nothing, .and so had started a campaign which 'had resulted in tho establishment of a system for paying them for t'he treatment, of such case.-. 'i bus the hospital had receive.', ihe patients. That was some explanation of the growth of the department, whilst Vlio fees had not grown. Mr I). Robertson: Mr Gardener must- admit tihat niruiv »i the outdoor patients come, from his own district, knowing the excellent treatment thev get at tho hospital. Mr Gardener: I don't oh.jcct if 10,000 people <n> there, provided they don't impose np-.m you. Tf they can't afford it, let them ho treated free. Iv:l :v !arw number of people (lis.rn"" and take advantage of these cheap fees to rob tho medical profession. 'Hie question was referred to a sub-committee.