HOSPITAL DISTRICTS.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 5188, 7 October 1927, Page 2

HOSPITAL DISTRICTS.

PROPOSED AMALGAMATION.

OHINEMURI COUNCIL DISCUSSION,

The, subject of the amalgamation of the- Thames and Waihi hospital districts was introduced by Mr A. R. Robinson at yesterday’s meeting of the Ohinemuri County Council. It was stated by Mr Robinson that in July, 1925, a meeting of parties of both boards had b©en held and Whe proposal, fully discussed; againprecently, a meeting of settlers had been held at Waikino to discuss the matter, and, arising from that meeting, he understood that the Waihi Hospital Board was prepared to accept the Waihi, Waikino, and Waitekauri ridings in the Ohinemuri County as additional to its area. If that was decided upon, Mr Robinson said that, he was sure the Thames Board members would not all agree to the proposal. As the council’s representative, on the Thames Hospital Board he would be pleased to receive some indication from the members on the subject. The. matter had been discussed at the September meeting of the Thames Board, and was deferred to enabl® Messrs C. W. Kennedy, P. E. Brenan, and the speaker to go further into the question with the people in the Ohinemuri County’s area. To delete

a portion of the county was; a matter for the settlers to decide, and the Thames Board could not force them in any way. Under present arrangements the Waihi Hospital was treating a considerable number of patients from the Thames hospital district, but there was a 'good deal of dissatisfaction between the two boards. For, instance, if a patient from the Waihi Plains, which was in the Thames hospital district, entered the Waihi Hospital and could not afford to pay for treatment, the Thames- Board was immediately billed for fees at the rate of 12s a day. the Thames Board would rather treat its own district patientsi. The chairman (Mr H. M. Corbett) said that he had presided at the Waikino meeting, which was a representative one. The) position was thoroughly discussed, and the following resolution was carried unanimously; “After hearing the different opinions, this meeting of settlers is not in favour of amalgamating with the Waihi Hospital Board, but asks that the revenue derived from the Waihi, Waikino, and Waitekauri ridings by the Thames- Board be handed over to the Waihi Board, and that that institution accept all patients from the three ridings.”

The chairman said that in his opinion the council, would be wisei to endorse the resolution, as he did not see how it could adversely affect the council in any way. He> did not think the Thames Board would amalgamate with the whole of the Waihi hospital district, as that would mean a considerable increase in rates. So far as he understood the position the Waihi Board had struck a rate sufficient to provide for its maintenance and also to clear off an old existing liability. The; rate struck at Waihi amou’ifced to Is 6d in the £ on the rental value, i and when capitalised produced six per cent. The estimates would increase from £270 to approximately £5OO to pay the Thames Board. Obviously the Waihi Board did not desire to pay higher rates ip any one, part of the county. Speaking again. Mr Robinson said that the resolution was quite good, but not definite enough. It did not absolve the Thame* Board from all responsibility of the threq ridings mentioned.

It was explained by Mr C. Mason that if the Thames Board would hand over the revenue it was receiving from th© three ridings the Waihi Boar would accept full responsibility for the patients and all liability for the collection of fees from that area.

Some doubt was expressed by Mr W. F. Johnstone- of the suggestion being workable. He thought that it would mean a readjustment of the rating levy over the whole county.

The chairman said that there were a number of aspects to be considered, and in his opinion t]he time would come when there would be one hospital board and district for the area.

When that was brought about there would be a big increase in the hospital rat© said Mr Robinson.

The Chairman : The position, so far as I can see it, is that the majority of settlers are quite easy which hospital district they are in so long as they are not called upon to pay more rates.

After further discussion Mr Johnstone moved,' and Mr C. Hands seconded: “That this council will approve of th© Waikino, Waitekauri, and Waihi ridings being included in the Waihi Hospital Board’s district provided it is arranged that the hospital, rating shall not be greater than in the rest of the Ohinemuri County.”