HOSPITAL WANTED

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume 53, Issue 32415, 3 April 1944, Page 7

HOSPITAL WANTED

DISCUSSION IN TE AROHA CONVALESCENT HOME CARE OF SICK AND WOUNDED Although he was unable to be present at a recent meeting of the Te Aroha Chamber of Commerce, Mr W. A. Clark addressed a letter to the meeting regarding possibilities of a hospital being established in Te Aroha. It will be remembered that at the last meeting when the matter was discussed, a letter had been read from Mr J. Thorn, M.P., saying that a hospital for chest disease only was in view. “ There appears to be some confusion of thought in regard to the request made by the Chamber of Commerce with that made on an earlier occasion by the Te Ai’oha Borough Council,” wrote Mr Clark. “The chamber’s request was for a convalescent home; that by the borough council was for a cottage , hospital. Considering the distance from Hamilton both are desirable, and I thing the council will continue to advocate decentralisation. “With regard to a convalescent home, Te Aroha has special claims, because of the assets situated in the Tourist Domain. These should be advertised and used for the benefit of the nation. Chest Hospital Not Considered “Neither the chamber nor the borough council have ever considered the question of a chest hospital in Te Aroha. Many months ago I learned that representatives of the various hospital boards were to meet to discuss the question of establishing one in the Auckland province. “The member for Thames should be able to enlighten the Minister, who appears to have tumbled all three propositions into one. “On the evidence before us to-day it is obvious that Hamner and Rotorua will ibe incapable of dealing with the position in the future, and in view of what Te Aroha has to offer, we must continue to press our claims.

“I shall see to it that at every meeting of the Red Cross Executive this question is raised. Our job is to look after the sick and wounded men and when Te Aroha’s- medicinal waters are valued at their true worth we shall have a convalescent home here!” In later discussion Mr Fitzpatrick said that Mr Thorn had intimated only a chest hospital was intended. There was no intention whatever of establishing a convalescent home.

Further consideration of the subject was deferred until the executive met Mr Clark.