DOCTOR FOR THE PLAINS

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXIII, Issue 4393, 22 March 1922, Page 3

DOCTOR FOR THE PLAINS

DR. BATHGATE APPOINTED. TO SERVE WHOLE DISTRICT. A meeting of guarantors In connection with the recent movement to request a doctor to commence a practice on the Hauraki Plains, having his headquarters at Turua, was held in the Victoria Hall, Turua, on Monday afternoon, about 50 attending. Up to a certain stage the affairs were still in the hands of the local branch of the Farmers’ Union, which took the initiative in this connection, apd, therefore, the branch president, Mr G. Gray, occupied the chair. Mr Gray formally handed the business over to the guarantors, and Mr J. T. Davies was elected to the chair. The guarantors now number 114; Dr. R. Bathgate was present. He said he did n.ot wish to blow his own trumpet, but, asked to give an outline of his experience, he explained that he had practiced in Dennison, South Island. He was there in the employ of a lodge. He had sine? been relieving doctor at the Otorohonga and Waihi hospitals, and he was then on his way to the Thames Hospital, in which institution he would be in charge for a fortnightHe would be prepared to commence on the terms of the guarantee immediately after his period at the. Thames Hospital. He would not confine his practice to the guarantors alone, but would do his best to meet the requirements of the whole of the Hauraki Plains. As Turua was ■the most populated portion of the Plains, and had the best telephone service, he tlhought that Turua would be tihe most suitable place for him to reside. Before concluding he invited questions from 'those present. Mr Truelove asked if the doctor would take maternity cases. Dr. Bathgate replied that 'he had had to attend those cases in Dennison, ms the nearest other doctor was 61 away. He would, therefore, attehd such, cases on the Plains. Mr J. C. Miller suggested that guarantors should have a little concession for the doctor’s services as they were /fraying the guarantee, benefiting also others who risked no guarantee. ' Mr H. Hicks maintained that the idea of the guarantee was to endeavour to get a doctor to start a practice in the district, and he did not agree that, the should have a reduction. The doctor said that the guarantors. by paying the usual rates, would help to reduce the amount of their guarantee. The opinion of the meeting was that the guarantors should not have cheap rates. The meeting was also of’The opinion that if the doctor was good enough to take charge of the Thames Hospital he was good enough for Turua.

Mr D,. G. McMillan moved that Dr. Bathgate be appointed as practitioner for the district under the settlers’ guarantee. Dr. Bathgate had been the only applicant, and had proved to be. ambitious and capable. Mr, H. Brown seconded, and tlhe motion was carried unanimously. For the purpose of protecting and guarding the guarantors? interests a committee of seven was. elected, as follows : Messrs J. T? Davies, H. Hicks. D. J. O’Cauroll, W. Madgwick, J. E. Green, Wilson, and R. McLean. Mr Miller thought a good suggestion to <he committee would be that if some guarantors; might, have a heavy doctor’s bill in one year amounting to £l5 or £2O, they should be Jet off the amounts of their guaiantees. Mr Gardiner maintained that the committee should consider she mat; ter and bring it back to a general meeting for confirmation, Mr Madgwick, speaking to Mr Miller’s suggestion, said that if a man paid the resident doctor, £l5 or £2O, he weald probably pay about £5O to an outside doctor. The guarantors would therefore be recompensed by having a resident doctor. It. was decided to refer tlie matter to the committee for consideration. After a vote of thanks had -'been passed to the chair a proposal on the motion of Mr Wilson, was passed to the Farmers’ Union branch for moving in the direction of obtaining the services of a resident doctor.