MODERN HOSPITAL.

Hokitika Guardian, 19 April 1926, Page 4

MODERN HOSPITAL.

NEW BUILDING AT NELSON. NELSON. April 16. Nelson’s new public hospital, a fine brick structure costing .£050,000, providing 109 beds and furnished with the very latest equipment, was officially opened to-day bv the lion J. A. Young Minister of I’uhlie Health. There was a large gathering of the public. The chairman of the Hospital Board, Air George llmil. referred to the late Air Thomas Can I broil's generous gift of £1.5.000 which had carried a GoverntinenL subsidy of £IB.OOO. The burden inf taxation was (bus correspondingly less, in the new hospital there were one. two. three and lour room wards in addition to the public wanks which could he availed of by those in a position to pay. Air Rout acknowledged the work of the contractor, Mr AV. AVilliamsurt, of Christchurch, and staled ! that from the commencement of the work over two years ago the board had had no reason to make a single complaint. | Air Young said that the opening of , such a magnificent building marked a j milestone in the progress of the com- [ inanity. He referred to the munificent bequest of Air Thomas Cawthron. Tie j said that the Government recognised its responsibility by subsidising this sum to the extent of 218,000, which came out ol (lie consolidated revenue. I Ol a lurtlier 227.000 the Government | paid half, so the contribution by the .Government was really £31.500. IT there were any in the community who sometimes thought that the levy wa.s too much he reminded them that- the Department kept a close cheek on the expenditure. In 191-1-15 Hie hoard had provision for eighty beds and now there was provision for TO9 beds, including ten for maleinifv eases. The number ol beds per thousand of the population In 1911 was three, in 1921-25 ii was LI and. in the new hospital it wa.s 1.3. The average number of beds for the Dominion last venr was 1.1. but '

tin’ average of occupied beds was three, whilst Nelson’s average of occupied beds was 2.3. The reduction to he made was that Nelson was evidently a very healthy community. Therefore he congratulated them. Nelson’s sunshine although not apparent just then (laughter) was famed throughout New Zealand.

Referring to the fact that the building provided for maternity eases the Afinistor said that it was beyond the ability of the average working-man (o provide his wife with proper nursing service, and the Government recognised this. The Prime Alinister bad remarked that the best immigrant was the little immigrant who comes into the home. The mothers should be offered every facility and the hospital boards should develop the maternity side of their service.

The Minister also congratulated the architect (Mr A. R. Griffin, of Nelson) and the builder (Mr W. Williamson, of Christchurch) on their splendid work. After the official opening the building was inspected by n large number of the public. Tt will remain open for public inspection for one week to enable the people to see what has hoen provided and what they contribute towards.