CORRESPONDENCE.

Hokitika Guardian, 27 August 1920, Page 3

CORRESPONDENCE.

RESIDENCE FOR SOUTH WESTLAND NURSE.

(To the Editor)

Sir, —The discussion which took place at the Hospital and CSaritahle Aid Board’s last meeting the report of which appeared in your Tuesday’s issue of the “Guardian,” will doubtless create a surprise if nothing worse in South Westland circles. It will he remembered some time ago when the question of a nurse’s residence came up for discussion at the Board’s meetings, the settlers were told that if they collected by way of voluntary contributions the amount of £2OO, and to be paid into the Board’s funds, the Board would erect a residence in the vicinity of the Wnilio at an approximate. cost of £SOO or with equipment £BSO.

Now wo find at the last meeting of the Board fresh proposals are in the air and side issues are raised and new ground broken. The Chairman stated that when at the Waiho a few days before, he had met and conferred with the Waiho Committee in connection with -tbe nurse matters, and that they had collected £lB2 (the balance of £lB will doubtless he made showing that the settlers bad carried out tlieir part of the bargain in all good faith. In the light therefore of these events, it conies as a bit of a shock at the attitude now taken up by the members of the Board at the meeting re.ferred to. Why raise fresh trouble now when the business has gone so far. If the site chosen for the cottage happens to be on an Education Reserve, surely the member for Westland can get that little matter rectified by introducing a small Empowering Bill.

If the Board really intend to keep faith with the Southern ppople and carry out their obligations in accordance with their original proposals, there should he no hesitation or turning back at this stage. To secure a nurse before supplying a residence is like putting the cart before the horse. The whole trouble with previous nurses' was that there was no residence, and once this difficulty is got over I feel pretty sure all will be well. In conclusion Ido not wish it to he understood that I write in a hostile spirit, but merely offering a suggestion as a way of getting over the trouble which has now. become so chronic. I am aware that the gentlemen constituting the Board are doing good work for this town and country districts for which they receive no pay and very little thanks. Apologising at taking up so much of your valuable, space' and thanking you in anticipation, I am etc., RATEPAYER. HOSPITAL BOARD EXTRAVAGANCE. (To the Editor.) Sir.—Your article in this evening’s paper on hospital matters is timely and will be altogether to the good if it wakes the .-country people up to take the share they should v do in administering their own affairs and joining the Board at the nearby election. The same economical management as administers our Dairy Factories with such efficiency and success may probably only be attained by having some of those Directors on the Board. It is however due to the present members of the Board to traverse two of the statements in your article that may he misleading. The Board is not incurring any increased cost in the country having resolved instead of building to devote tlie Nurses housing allowance of £1 per week to renting a suitable dwelling. The Board also is not incurring any increased cost for a second doctor in Hokitika its offer of £IOO a year for administering anaesthetics being based on what it has hitherto been costing to get medical attendance from Grey mouth for that purpose. -I am etc., i