Levin's Desire

Horowhenua Chronicle, 12 July 1913, Page 2

Levin's Desire

—' « TO JOIN PALMERiSTON HOS- ' I'ITAL DISTRICT (Manawatu Times). A deputation consisting of Mr (.«• X. Stephenson, of Shannon and Mr 15. H. Gardener, Mayor of Levin, nailed upon the Pialmerston Hospital Hoard in I'u it lie r reference to the proposed severance ol the Horo- , whonua County from Wellington Ilospital District lor the purpose oi joining thai oi Palmorston Tlie Inspector-General wrote that the Minister in Charge of Hospitals had advised him that the Wellington llospiLal and Charitable Aid Board has adopted a resolution objecting to the .severance of part of the Horowhenua County, but that no objection would be made to merge the whole County in Pylmerston district. Mr Stephenson explained that the;, were hero two months ago asking the Hoard to accept two northern ridings of his County. The Inspec-tor-General said that to bring ,'ibon the change would require special leg islation. They were here to-day t;> ask the Hoard to take over the whoh of the County. * lie contended thathe County was :i very good asset :n valuation and .stipulation. The db trict was also wealthy. Ho did not think the southern portion of the district, would be further distant than the northern boundary of the Hoard's existing district. He point ed out also that there was a railway running through the centre and it wins possible t-o get- to any point ot the County in a day. Mr Gardener said the Hoard served 10 patients from Horowheuua last year, while 38 wont to Wellington. The Otaki hospital cost £.120' a year to run. There were G7 patients at the Stanitorium last year and GO came from Wellington. He suggested that the Government should be asked to take over the Sanitorjum; or, on the other hand, the districts should combine am! take over, then each district could pay for its ow;n patients. The institution cost roughly about £300 to maintain. It was built originally for educational purposes, but to his surprise there were patients in for three years and he did not think this was right. Mr Gardener went on to .say that with the new valuation the valuation would bo raised from two million to between three and four millions. He would like to impress on the Hoard that the district would not conic to them emptyhanded, and he felt sure they could work with Palmerston Board better than with Wellington. They had only two members representing them on the Wellngiton Hoard, and they had vory little say amongst (he town members. He considered that as I'almerston was constituted with more country members the Hoard would meet their requirements batter. Me had addi essed .several meetings down the line, and they were all favourable to Palmerston North. Ihe Mayor said tlie whole matter hinged upon the position this Hoard would find itself in it it was charged with the upkeep of the Otaki Kanitoriuni and also the Otaki hospital. lie thought it only fair thai, (he matter should be held over till the Chairman was present to exprev his opinion on the matter.

Mr I'owler asked why the Horou licniin did i)o( conic in when 1 ]|i> district was fir.st formed. Mr Stephenson replied Unit tli-j ba lance of |)mvi>r was i'n tile southern oild. and tlu. population there small Jllid chiefly ill Otaki lower down, Mr Vincent asked whether ii was not possible to form another hospital district with Otaki as its centre 1 , Mr Uirdeiier replied that tho Gov«tiimenf would not let them. Mi 1 earee .said the whole question hinged upon ihe Sanitoritnn. nnd it this un> out ol the way the position was simply. Mr f>ardeiier aNo p,. in led out thai it was easier owing (a the train fac ilit ies lor people to visit their friends in Palmerston Hospital tha<n to go lo Wellington, Tlk> .Mavol' then asked the deputation t 0 formulate their proposals in writing and they would consider the matter at tlu> next, meeting. He pointed out clearly that Palmerston 'lid not want. jlie Sanitorium. Stephenson pointed oul that If this project failed they intended to send a petition to Parliament. it was decided to hold tho matter over till next meeting. Mr J'earco suggested that the Hoard might visit the Olaki Hospital. Mr J-lorti blow considered they .siiould have the whole facts before them before taking any actio'n. A motion w,ris carried that Ihexecutive visit the Otaki Hospital find Sanitoriiiin, and formulate a report on the visit and .sent it to each member of the Hoard. Hie mailer will come up at next meeting for discussion. I