Untitled

Hokitika Guardian, 29 May 1922, Page 2

Till! visit of the Hon. C. J. Parr, Minister of Public Health and Education, fleeting, as it was. was not without benefit to all concerned. Mr Parr saw something of the district, and heard a good deal about its requirements in regard to I is special Departmcntt. What was most important of all, he inspected personally the principal institutions, and saw for himsolf local conditions, and the urgency for the requirements which were asked for. This remark applies specially to the hospitals. At the mental institution Mr Parr could not have been otherwise than impressed with the extreme urgency of pushing on the re-building scheme which lias been commenced in a restricted way already. There is so much to do to remove for ever the present- unsatisfattory conditions as they exist, that the work requires to be organised in such a wily as to meet the most pressing wants. It is urgently necessary to do a- great deal for both the patients and the staff alike, and there are certain facilities which can be availed of to do something quickly. Air Parr saw all that there was ft> see and had tho advice both of the resident medical officer ebarged with the care of the insti tutigu, as also thj(t pf the InspeetorGeiiQru) of the hospitals. For thp year qidixt March last, n IDrjianiontary vote of £0.090 \vas voted fop rebuilding the Mental Hospital. V<*ry Ijt-tlc fif ft;at

K um was spent within the financial j-c r so that it could and of course, will,’ he eariied for Wind tn this yehr (probably also, with additions) to carry on the work.. The wmk needs speedjno; up. That can be done in a reasonable way by proper organisation and if Mr Parr will but say the word he could leave the rest to his officers to carry on more expeditiously and at the same time keep within the definite authority granted

Mil PaiuVb visit to the public hospital would help hint to assimilate the needs of the institution ill regard to the request pressed for by the Hospital Board deputation the previous eveni ng. Tab old quarters are to go add a hew order of building inaugurated for both the ilihle patients and the nurses’ quarters. This is essential. The Hon. Minister will understand the fine institution proposed and which should material.se now within t’*ree yeirs, will cost a good deal to conduct. It will not, of course be adminUeiel at the same rate as at present but there is the natural desfic to do all that is possible for the eomfo'.t and care of the sic':. In the extra cost for administration it is expected that a. district such as this will enjoy a subsidy which v, ill be cii a mere equitable basis relative to that of the larger centres. Mr I’arl* expressed himself in favor of that course which 7s in the direction of legislation the Minister has promoted : I ready hut which was Withdrawn because at the time the Government could not l» >t I be bill for the additional subsidies. Dining bis inspection of the hospital buildings Air Part rompiiiUentcd the Board and staff on the condition in which the institution

was being maintained. Tile people Of ibis district have takeli always a very great interest in the maintenance of tin- hospital and that fart is evidenced to-day by the work in hand of extending tilt: buildings and creating what is going to be a thoroughly modern structure placing tile community it! regard to hospital service in as good it pt>si= tion as* larger centres where well equipped structures are available for tiitf public utility, it* cilnyitig oil the g<k>d work ill liiiiul It would appear Hit* Hoard will have the practical syhlpntiiy and supjlort of the Hols. Minister for Public Health.