HOSPITAL DISTRICTS.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 5178, 14 September 1927, Page 2

HOSPITAL DISTRICTS.

THAMES & WAIHI AMALGAMATION QUESTION DEFERRED FOR MONTH The long deferred question of the , amalgamation of the Thames and Waihi hospital districts-, with which is interwoven the question of the erection of the Paeroa hospital, was discussed at Monday’s meeting of the Thames Hospital Board. Owing to illness Mr P. E. Brenan was not present. The Waihi Hospital Board forwarded a letter from the Hon. J. A. Young, Minister of Health, to the effect that if both boards could come to on agreement there should be no difficulty in obtaining the requisite legislation. The Waihi board also wished to know if the Thames board was still agreeable to the adoption of the following proposals suggested at a conference of both boards presided over by Dr. M. H. Watt, acting-Directpr-General of Health, at Paeroa in 1925 : “That both boards approach the department and urge that the Waihi Board’s district be increased to cover the Waitekauri, Waihi Plains, and Waikino ridings of the Ohinemuri County, the three ridings having a .value of £146,000. “That the Thames Board’s district ba enlarged to include the Te Aroha (borough and portion of the Waihou riding in the Piako County.” READJUSTMENT WANTED. The chairman (Mr W. E. Hale) outlined the reasons for the conference which had drawn an expression of opinion that a readjustment of boundaries was necessary. He considered that an alteration on the suggested lines would -mutually benefit the Thames and Waihi boards. Mr Kennedy thought the position had altered since the date of the conference. Ratepayers of the ridings concerned should be given an -opportunity of discussing the proposals, particularly as they might be involved in a rating increase. Mr Hale appealed to members to view the position broadly. He thought thq Thames Board should agree to the proposals submitted by the- 1925 conference.

Mr Robinson was for allowing the matter to stand for a month in order to afford the Ohinemuri County Council an opportunity of discussing th® position as a contributing local body. Mr Hale said that a single contributing body could not be allowed to dictate the board’s policy. QUESTION OF POSTPONEMENT. Mr Kennedy doubted whetheir the adoption of the proposals would bring finality to the issue. He moved that the question of amalgamating with Waihi be deferred for a month. Mr Walton wanted to know if the Ohinemuri County Council was going to decide the issue for the, board. Mr Hale said this would not be allowed.

Mr Danby submitted that the probing of the position of the Thames and Waihi boards merely served to accentuate inconsistencies in the distribution of hospital districts. He supported the proposals submitted and approved of by the 1925 conference. “SLAPPED IN THE FACE.” Mr Kennedy: It’s no use talking, Mr Chairman. The hoard by a resolution slapped the Ohinemuri and Paeroa people in the face by refusing to erect the Paeroa hospital. The Chairman: What resolution, Mr Kennedy ?

Mr Kennedy (emphatically) : You don’t want to know the resolution.

Mr Hale : Oh, yes, I do. Mr Kennedy : It was a resolution blocking the erection of the Paeroa hospital. Mr Hale : If you’d have been satisfied with a fair thing you’d have got it. SPEED NECESSARY. Mr Walton urged members to face the situation as it stood. If a month’s postponement was decided on there would he little chance of effecting the necessary legislation this year. Ratepayers living in the affected area were the only people with any real right to object. If the question was deferred for a month the required legislation could not possibly he introduced this year.

Mr Hale agreed, remarking that a deferring of the matter would not give effect to the wishes of the Waihi Board.

Mr Kennedy’s motion was carried.