Hospital Troubles.

Horowhenua Chronicle, 11 May 1914, Page 2

Hospital Troubles.

In Horowhenua County NEW HOSPITAL DISTIUCT PROPOSED. Councillor H. J. Richards, Chairman of the Horowhenua County Council (at Saturday's meeting of the council) spoke in regard to hospital matters. said that while he was m Palnngrston North he went up to the hospital with Mr -T. (t. Y\Tison. chairman of Palmerston North Hospital Board, and there had an interview with him on hospital matters. Councillor Richards there explained to him the views taken in Horowhenua County regarding the present system of hospital maintenance, and asked him what he considered would he the better way lor this county to proceed. Mr Wilson said it would be practicable for the whole of Horowhenua County to be included in Palmerston North provided there was no liability undertaken to maintain the institutions at Otaki. That of course (said Councillor llichards) was the view of the bulk of the settlers in this county; in his own opinion it was the best solution. But there were objections from Otaki.

Councillor Freeman : "Also from the Government; against the clos-ing-up of the institutions."

Councillor "Richards, continuing, said that certain portions of Otaki received benefits from the institutions that did not come to other portions of the county: from a training 1 point of view, as well as business. Therefore opposition from Otaki was to be looked for. The alternative was to sever portions of this county: but that was met by objections immediately from the county ratepayers here, who objected to the chopping-up and curtailment of the county. That was easy to understand, too; for the county as at present constituted worked well for everything except this wretched hospital business. Councillor Venn suggested that Horowhenua County Council should set up a deputation to again approach Palmerston Hospital Board. He had heard from Councillor Stephenson that the hoard had definitely "turned down" the proposal, bnt he (Councillor Venn) thought it worth trying again. Councillor Stephenson : "I don't siy that: but I understand they arc determined not to have us if they have to take the Otaki hospitals as well!" Councillor Monk took occasion to say that if the Horowhenua County Council had not opposed the movement from the southern ridings into a separate county (three and four years ago) there would have been a remedy against the present trouble. Councillor Richards said they recognised that: but they recognised also that the county as constituted now could not Ik> improved upon so far as general interests were concerned. By unanimous consent, it Avas resoh-ed that Mr B. R. Gardener, mayor of Levin, and a member of Wellington Hospital Board, be alloAved to address the county council regarding recent developments. Mr Gardener ma do a long speech touching upon the injustices Avhich HoroAvhenua County Council laboured under. He referred in scathing terms to the tergiversation of the Wellington Hospital Board as referred to by the-Minis-ter for Public. Health when he said he understood from the chairman of Wellington Hospital Board (Mr Evans) that Avhen a certain resolution was passed by that body it simply meant that the board had no objection against the county people "making a proposal" for separation of the northern ridings. There Avas no such distinction —no such reservation—in the minds of the members of the boa'rd : it was passed in all good faith. In fact if Avent further, and said that, so long as no portions of the county other than the northern ridings were interfered with they would support the motion. A resolution was passed, subsequently, that the board Avould object to two ridings going over, but not to the Avhole county. But the first resolution was neA-er rescinded : (he two stood on the books of the board to-day for all to see: it was unfair and untrue to say that the first motion meant. on]y that the board would discuss it. Councillor Venn : "Just so! The board passed its first resolution without reservation : the after results, T think, arose Avhen Dr. Yalintine (Inspector-General of Hospitals) gave his views. Mr Gardener concluded Avith an address on the unfairness of the incidence of Wellington Hospital Board's levies upon this district, and also quoted figures shoAving that counties and boroughs throughout "N"oaa* Zealand, under various other boards, paid far less pro rata than Levin Borough Council and Horowhenua County Council, respectively. were levied upon. Hesuggested, as a remedy, that the 'county send a deputation to Hie Minister for Public Heal'h .i.-king

for permission to establish a separate hospital district. Finally it was resolved, on the motion of Councillor Richards, seconded by Councillor Kebbell, "That the Levin Borough Council and the Otaki Town Board be asked to appoint a delegate to act with this council to form a deputation to the Minister of Public Health, with the object of obtaining n separate'hospital district, and that tho chairman be appointed to represent tlrisi,council."