OTIRA HOSPITAL

Hokitika Guardian, 18 December 1920, Page 2

OTIRA HOSPITAL

(Argus Correspondent.)

On Thursday the Chairman of the ! Charitable Aid Board (Mr Wild) visitcw Otira when a. conference was held j with the representatives of the residents and the Public Works Department. There were present, Dr. Bathgate, Messrs Wild, ‘ J. W. Gillies, Jeffries, (Public Works Engineers), Robertson (Chairman of the Otira Hospital Committee), and R. Beban (President of the West Coast Workers’ Union). \The Doctor pointed out that his grievance was the utter lack of co-operation shown by the Public Works Department, and its long delay in inaugurating improvements at the hospital. He had received a sympathetic letter from Hon. Mr:Coates 1 (Minister of FubHic Works), but his complaint had to do with the engineers. He (Dr Bathgate) had been informed at the outset that the new hospital was to have its needed alterations effected by the Department, and yet it was only last week, after a delay of sis months, that hot-water facilities had been installed, while he had had to wait for a sink for four months. The sanitary arrangements were still incomplete and after- six months the hospital still had to carry on -without a linen press. Mr. Gillies admitted that he- had authority tot expend fifteen hundred pounds on the hospital for improvements. His excuse was a, shortage of

labour. Mr Beban said ho strongly differed with the District Engineer in this matter, pointing out that at Otira they had available all the kinds of labour that would be needed The Doctor pointed out that locally he. got plenty of support There were some warm exchanges between the Doctor and Mr Gillies and also the President of the Union and Mr Gillies Finally Mr Beban claimed aid on behalf of the workers, other residents, their wives, and the 79 children:attending tho school Mr Wild asked Dr Bathgate if he had made any arrangements elsewhere, and on receiving a reply-in the negaiye, he aked the Doctor to reconsider his .resignation Thle Doctor did not state his final decision, and it is not yet known. Jt was pointed out at the conference that the Westland Hospital Board had shown itself very neglectful of Otira, in so far that not once since the fire at the former hospital had the Board sent one of its members to Otira to see how the new hospital fared, and the Union President protested.

Mr Gillies suggested the locality itself did no£ do enough and that the hospital was up to the' average for a cottage one. Mr 'Wild asked why they did not set up a working bee to do all needed.

Mr Beban asked if Mr Wild’s .Board had had this done at Hokitika or anywhere else. Mr Wild admitted that they had not, and the Union President said the chairman should see his board practiced what it preached. There was too much dictation from the Engineers, and the Public Worliß Department seemed to be mostly a set of bosses. Letters from Otira had been ignored, while tlie residents had lately doubled their contributions to tlieir hospital, which meant a lot- to them. Hie doctor had sacrificed something in coming there. He was a clever, energetic and considerate medical officer, and had made regular trips to the other side of Bealey. and had only charged a ‘ moderate fee of £2 2s per trip. It was to he hoped the Minister and the AVestland Board will now help the Doctor and the residents to the utmost of their power, and so prevent a re,grettable hardship originating at Otira which in its isolation", cannot do without a doctor. The residents feel the position keenly, and deserve better treatment than they have had.