SETTLERS' HARDSHIPS.

King Country Chronicle, Volume VI, Issue 446, 9 March 1912, Page 5

SETTLERS' HARDSHIPS.

MEDICAL FACILITIES WANTED. NURSE FOR TANGIITU. At the last sitting of the Waikato Hospital Board, held on Wednesday, an application from the Tangitu settlers for a district nurse to be stationed at the settlement, came before the board.

In referring to the application, Mr Boddic, of Te Kuiti, said he had made it his business to ride through the Tangitu settlement, and he considered that this district had greater claims than any other, and he was going to ask the hoard to send the first nurse available to the Tangitu settlement. The speaker said the settlers there were poor, hut highly deserving, while the country was isolated and exceedingly rough, and the privations undergone in illness by the women were very great, even appalling. One case he instanced where recently a woman had to he carried for eight miles by the menfolk of the district, and then conveyed on a velocipede to Taumarunui for medical treatment. Other women had died from want of medical attention, while one had to be removed to an asylum. Another story was told of a woman on the eve of confinement setting out alone to walk eight miles, in the depth of winter,over terrible country, to the junction in order to get a conveyance to take her to a place where medical assistance could be obtained. She left three small children at home, which, prevented her husband accompanying her, while the services of neighbours could not bo obtained. The woman proceeded for some miles until dusk coming on, and utterly fagged out, she sat down in despair in a wild part of the country, unable to proceed further. Fortunately a horseman happened along and found the woman beneath a tree on the track, preparing to remain there throughout the dreary night. There were, other stories equally appalling, and nobody but those who had visited the district, lived there in fact, could understand the dreadful experiences of these unfortunate women whom fate liad ordained should spend their lives in the back blocks. The health inspector, who had been asked to report upon the most suitable place for the stationing of a district nurse, recommended the Aria district. The chairman reviewed the whole of the claims, for which, he said, much was to be said. He sympathised with the back block settlers, and said the various requests should have careful consideration. Mr Keeley, although understanding that they should view these matters from a humaitarian point of view, said that after all the matters resolved themselves into a question of funds The Waitmoo County, which advanced the biggest claims, asked the board to spend .€450, an amount exceeding the county contribution and Government subbsidy. The chairman said, the growth of the hospital district was increasing, and the additional calls on the hoard had to be met.

Mr Teasdale thought the question of buildings should bo left, out of consideration altogether. He favoured the placing of district nurses wherever possible. On the motion of Mr Dickinson, it wa3 decided to send Nurse Smith, who is at present at the service of the Board, to Tangitu.