HOSPITAL DISTRICTS.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 5190, 12 October 1927, Page 2

HOSPITAL DISTRICTS.

EXTENSION OF AREAS, VIEWS OF THAMES BOARD. The subject of the amalgamation or extension of the Waihi and Thames hospital districts was further discussed at Monday’s meeting of the Thames, Hospital Board. The matter was introduced by the Waihi Hospital Board forwarding a lettey received from the Minister of Public Health acknowledging receipt of the board’s reasons why a portion of the Thames hospital district should be transferred to the Waihi hospital district. The Minister advised that the board’s proper course was to take up the matter officially with the Thames Board, and if the two boards could come to an agreement there should be no difficulty in obtaining the requisite legislation.

It was explained by Mr C. W. Kennedy that a meeting convened by the members of the Waikino, Waitekauri, and Waihi ridings had been held at Waikino on the previous Monday, and members of the Waihi Hospital Board had attended. After a lengthy discussion at that meeting it was agreed that if the Thames. Board would hand over the ridings mentioned to the Waihi Board the rates would increase nearly threefold. It .was hoped that the board would not force the position. The meeting had agreed that there was a greater community of interest between those; ridings and Waihi, but the farming community, as well as the mining area, was alarmed at any prospeict of increased rates.

The discussion that ensued at. the Ohinemuri County Council meeting on the matter was detailed by Mr A. R. Robinson. The county was, agreeable to the board handing over the revenue received from the three ridings conditionally on the Waihi Board accepting full responsibility for the treatment and fees of the patients, and that there would be; no increase in rates. The revenue, received from the three ridings by the Thames Board at present was £240 a. year. A revaluation of the Waihi Plains was now in hand, and the the board’s revenue would probably be increased to about £6OO. The council was earnest in its endeavour to protect its ratepayers in those areasMr Kennedy said it was understood that the County Council was not opposed to amalgamation. The chairman said he failed to see what good purpose could be served by further delaying the matter, and he moved to the effect that the Thames, Board was agreeable to handing, over to the Waihi Board the three ridings mentioned, provided an equitable rating area was given to Thames by the Waikato Hosnital Board. Mr Kennedy said he did not know how the Piako County Council or the Waikato Hospital Board would agree. Mr P. E. Brenan stated that in his opinion it .would be advantageous to the settlers- in the three ridings to be in the Waihi hospital district. It, was the duty of the- Thames Board to assist the ratepayers in that area. If the three ridings were handed over there was no doubt the ratepayers would be called upon to pay an increase in rates. The resolution was quite good, but he thought that if the ridings were handed over an undertaking should be given by the Waihi Board to the ratepayers that there would be no increase on the present amount of rates.

The chairman said that many difficulties, would be overcome if this resolution could be given effect to. Mr J. W. Danby said that the matter was not one of immediate importance. It was costing the Thames Board less now than ever before to the patients from the three ridings owing to the amicable arrangement made between the Thames and Waihi boards, and the; ratepayers were apparently satisfied with the service.

It was pointed out by the chairman that the three ridings were an unfortunate legacy which had been left to the Thames Board, but apparently the Waihi Board was in difficulties as to If the Thames Board asked for an undertaking from Waihi that there would be no increase in rates, then the Thames Board should give a similar undertaking to the Piako County or the Waikato Hospital Board. “This board has to be extremely careful not to part with any of its rateable assets,” said Mr Danby, “and should insist on, a quid pro quo.” In his opinion there should be one hospital district from Coromandel to the Waikato.

As an amendment Mr Kennedy moved that owing to a revaluation of the ridings concerned, the matte-r be deferred until the new figures were available. He pointed out that the Waihi Board could not give any definite, undertaking because it could not. differentiate in rates. The, matter was not an urgent one, and the ratepayers were entitled to the fullest consideration.

Mr A. R. Robinson seconded. Th© chairman said he could not agree that any good purpose could be served by deferring the matter. He was prepared to add the clause suggested by Mr Brenan. Mr Walton said he quite agreed that the settlers should not be called upon to pay increased rates due to a change of administration, but at the same time he must object to anything being done at the expense of the Hauraki Plains, which was finding nearly half the board’s revenue. The words added by Mr Brenan to the chairman’s resolution made, it inoperative, but he was prepared to support it. All the same, he failed to see how the Thames Board could give a similar undertaking to the Waikato Board or Piako County. The ratepayers on the. Plains were entitled to consideration of their rates, and such settlers had borne the burden quite long enough.

In seconding the chairman’s resolution Mr Brenan said that it showed the up-country people that th© board was alive to their interests,. Mr Kennedy said he. had listened to the remarks of the members with interest, apd he wished to withdraw

hte amendment. This was agreed to by Mr Robinson, and th© resolution was carried. Mr Danby remarked that in view of the resolution it would ba “goodbye to Waihi and amalgamation with Thames.”