WESTLAND HOSPITALS.

Hokitika Guardian, 11 July 1923, Page 1

WESTLAND HOSPITALS.

DEPUTATION TO -MINISTER. On Wednesday ’morning Mr Jos. O’Brien, M.P., and tbe Hon Air Grimiiion, M.L.C., interviewed Dio Minister of Public Health (Sir Maui l’omare) re the suggested elo-iug of the Ross and Otira hospitals. Mr O’Brien said that tbe Ross Hospital had been built by- the Ross people at a. great sacrifice to themselves. They had taken up collections, and had run a sports meeting and an art union. Tho prize for an art union wax the famous "Roddy" Nugget, and tln-y had raised £SOO by this method. The Ross people thought that they had a right to insist that the hospital remain where ii was. The population of Ross was increasing. One large sawmill had been built, and there were others in the course of erection. If Ross kept going ahead at the present rate, there would he sufficient population there in a few years to warrant

a hospital. The shifting of the hospital to Hokitika would he wasteful, as not. ot) per cent, of tile material could oe used again. Good use of the building was made at the time of the epidemic. Local volunteer nurses had taken charge of ii then to such good purpose that not one death resulted from the epidemic at Ross. He suggested that the building he left where it was in the moan Lime.

Mr Grimmond said that he spoke from experience when he said the Ross people had .sacrificed money, time, and trouble when they built the hospital. 1 lie town :i nd district had worked most enthusiastically and it was a shame that the result of their effort should now be removed from them. Ross was destined to lie a town of some importance in the Rear future, as South Mefithmd was rapiill.v being developed.

The Minister stated that he did not Know whether he was within his rights in interferring with the Westland Hospital Board. Ho had had a report tlnd tin' building was noL painted, and was rapidly going into decay. Mir Grimmoiul: It is a perfectly good building and sound. Sir Mauri Bomare: T think it should he painted. Mr Griiiunond : We’ll get it painted and it won’t cost £IOO as suggested. The Russ people would sooner do that tlnn lose their hospital.

The Minister promised to hold over the removal of the hospital for D2 months. OTTRA HOSPITAL. The deputation then brought under : the Minister’s notice the suggested closing of the Otira Hospital. Mr O’Brien stating that there would fie probably a population of over 500 tit Otira after the tunnel work was fin-i-lied. Cottages were built to accommodate about 200; and oilier workers’ at the hostel ami in various other places, added to the business people would easily make another 300. The ; town was too far away from any other j hospitals to allow sick or injured to be j taken from Otira to them with safety. I The Public Works Department said j that the present subsidy would he dKeentimied as soon as lhe Railway Do- ; parimont took over the funnel. The! deputation were going to wait on the Minister of Railways and lay the ease before him, for the continuance of the i

subsidy. The Otira Hospital Committee. were much concerned at the prospect of having to do without a hospital.

Mr Grimmond siiported Mr O’Brien representations.

The Minister said his predecessor hail decided to close the hospital at Otira. liui if the deputation received a satisfactory answer from the Minister of Railways, be would be pleased to discuss the matter with them afterwards.

The deputation thanked the Minister and withdrew. On Thursday morning Messrs Griinmond and O'Brien brought the matter of a. subsidy to the Otira Hospital before tbe Minister of Railways. 'I i deputation said that Otira was so far iiivnv from any other place that- it was to the interests of iiiiiwaynien in have a hospital kept there.

Mr MeVilly. who was present at the interveiw. said that rnihvaymeii were not so liable to accidents as other trades. He did not favour a subsidy. The Minister said that the position would he somewhat different when the I’ailwny Ucpariment took the works over. When Hie I’nhlic Works Department were in charge, the subsidy wcpihl have to come out ol the Consolidated l-'mid. hot when the railway took it over, the subsidy would have to he paid out of revenue, and faros and freights would have to be increased to meet the extra expenditure. An

arrangement might he come to with the Health Department on the matter. The deputation agreed to again consult the Minister of Public Health, and tie in bring down a scheme whereby the hospital would he kept open.