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Hokitika Guardian, 19 December 1921, Page 2

Tim hope that in the poorer hospital districts some relief would be afforded by Parliament this session by providing an increased Government subsidy on local body contributions for hospital maintenance is not likely to be realised just yet, judging by the Minister’s statement when introducing the amending measure to Parliament. Tn briefly detailing the features of the Bill, the Hon. C. J. Parr admitted that the present scale of subsidies was not satisfactory and the Royal Commission bad recommended a now scale on a different basis. Unfortunately tlic schedule involved the finding by the Government of an additional £60,000. At present the Government was finding about £420,00 for hospital subsidies, and the Finance Minister was unfortunately at this juncture unable to provide the further £60.000 and he bad been compelled somewhat reluctantly to put off the proposal. He showed how the burden on the Consolidated Fund had increased from £190,000 in 1914, to the present amount, over £400.000. this being due not to extravagance on the part of local authorities but to the enhanced cost of administration and to the cost of hospital requisites. The hardships and unfair ness in the present scale of subsidies is thus to be perpetuated. It is not too late yet to enter a protest, and the local bodies concerned should move in the matter without delay.

The action of the Borough Council ; in promptly granting permission to tb ■ | Railway authorities to utilise portion ; I of Stafford street for the extension of 1 i the enlarged station yard will be gen- | orally approved. In view of the in- ! creased traffic to ensue with the oponj ing of the Midland Railway, the au- | thorities are very properly taking steps i to cope with the growth. Hokitika will j become an important terminal station, I and considerable standing room will be | required for the increased rolling stock. I The present facilities are far too lim--1 ited. Increased space is to be obtained j by recasting tbe present station site, ! absorbing portion of Stafford Street, between the Central hotel, and the Convent grounds and laying down additional service lines. The plans for tbe alteration and improvement of the I station have been prepared by the engineers of the Department, and includes the removal of tho station it- , •self and other adjustments of the existing linos. In exchange for the absorption of portion of Stafford Street, the Railway Department is to put portion of Hampden Street in improved order to carry the diverted traffic ! No doubt other streets in the vicinity will require attention also, as street i traffic will increase in volume also j with the growth of the railway traffic. ' Tt is a healthy sign of the times to see this important extension of accommodation required and is some indi- ! cation of the material effect to result from the improved communication af- ! folded by linking up the district with the East Const. Another matter of im- ; portnnee is the need for additional room for timber stacking purposes, i This is a much felt want now, and it must grow ns time progresses. The Department has plans for an extension of the line up Gibson Quay, and this is j n work which it is desirable to see put in hand. This work seems to rest on | the negotiations between tbe millers ■ and the Department, and the former j should make their position clear with j tho Government at once if the work j is to proceed. [