HOSPITAL MATTERS.

King Country Chronicle, Volume VI, Issue 503, 25 September 1912, Page 4

HOSPITAL MATTERS.

The constantly recurring discussions at the meetings of the Waikato Hospital Board concerning hospital affairs in the King Country indicate in no uncertain manner the necessity of King Country residents making themselves thoroughly acquainted with the position from all points of view. Residents throughout the southern portion of the Wrikato hospital district are keenly alive to the fact that the present provisions in respect to hospital matters are inadequate to meet the requirements of a rapidly growing population. In the circumstances there is no doubt that action should be taken to improve existing conditions, but before deciding upon a definite course of action it is essential that the subject should be fully considered. As one of ihe members remarked at tho last board meeting the position is probably without parallel in the Dominion, and without precedent to aid them it is obvious that care should be exercised in taking the initiative. In any case the board is not responsible for the creation of existing conditions, and any action contemplated by local people should certainly be carried out in co-operation with the board rather than in opposition to that body. The advantage of having a base hospital for the district of the high standard of the Hamilton institution must be manifest to all, and in promoting any movement for a change in conditions the advantages and disadvantages of any change must be thoroughly weighed and balanced. The financial side of the questiun is naturally of the utmost importance, and a casual inspection of the position is sufficient to bring conviction that the possible revenue derivable from the King Country is, as yet, totally inadequate to bear the burdens which would be entailed by the setting up of a separate hospital district. That a separate district is desirable is a widely held opinion, but the time for effecting a severance can only be determined by the most careful consideration of all the interests involved. In all such schemes the humanitarian claims rank high, but with reasonable provision for this aspect of the question, tho financial requirements constitute the controlling factor. The recommendations from Taumarunui which were j read at the last board meeting demonstrate clearly that the Taumarunui residents are chiefly concerned in securing further benefits for the hospital already established at that centre. Apart altogether from the merits of that phase of the question we would point out that the position of the district as a whole is of infinitely greater importance than that of any portion of the district. The matter is one which should bo divested of any suspicion of parochialism, and dealt with from the broad standpoint of the general good. In this connection it is satisfactry to know that a representatve committee has been apppointed by the Hospital Board to enquire into the whole subject, and furnish a report thereon. When that report is to hand the public will be in a position to frame a definite opinion as to the necessity for action.

A final reminder iB given of Mr Earl's unreserved clearing sale at Otorohanga on the :27th insl, at 1.80 p.m. Mr Graham conducts the sale, particulars of which appear in our advertising columns. Mr E. C. Tassel), of To Ruiti, won the bass solo (sacred), competition at the Waikato musical and evolutionary competitions, now proceeding at Hamilton. Another Te Kuiti competitor, Mis'? Berenice MacKay, secured second honours in the piano solo for those under eighteen years. Have you heard Jl. Madinson Cardon, the great, humorist? If not, hear him Tuesday evening next at Town Hall, Te Kuiti.* Just refor to my moncv - saving price-list on page <> of this issue. Good for you—small profits for .1. E. Hillary, cash grocer, Te Kuiti.* At last night's meeting of the Te Kuiti Borough Council, (1r Young entered a plea for the taking of a greater area for the electrical power station and other buildings. He said he thought, notwithstanding that the engineer considered the adjoining section was not at present necessary for the power station it could not, bo doubted a greater area would ultimately bo necessary, and it would ho economy to secure the ground at present. After discussion the Council decided not to move in the matter.

Mr Graham has a large and varied assortment for his .Saturday's mart sale, comprising fowls, vegetables, furniture, light trap, harness and horse, and various other horses, also canaries and parrots. The big bazaar, which is announced in another column for Wednesday and Thursday next, October 2nd and lird, in the Town Hall, Te Kuiti, promises to be uniquely attractive and interesting. Among the many novelties to be introduced there will be a "handkerhief stall," a "fairy garden," and an "Orange grove," while the young folk will be catered for by a real live Santa Glaus, with an abundance of good things. The Mayor has kindly consented to perform the opening ceremonies on Wednesday afternoon at 3 o'clock, and it is hoped that the ladies' guild will find their object more than fulfilled when the result "goes up."

Keep Tuesday evening next, October Ist, free for Valerie Collins' Entertainment Co. Areal treat.*

A panic arose in the Synagogue at Tercspol, Poland. A lighted lamp overturned and the /laming oil spread over the women's section, which was crowded with worshippers. Four were crushed to death and 2-' ? . were injured.

Herr Bittner, an inventor, ascended the pillar of tho statue of Victory, London, to test a new parachute. Tho device failed and the inventor was dashed to pieces. A cineinatographer present to record tho descent, photographed the tragedy. Suppliers to the Te Kuiti butter factory are increasing steadily and the output, which at first was hardly up to the local demand, is now sullicient to meet all orders. The Limedalo brand promises to be highly popular this season. At Gary, Indiana, a newsboy named William Pugh permitted tho hospital surgeons to amputate his crippled leg in order that tho skin might bo grafted upon Ethel Smith, a girl whom he had never seen but who the doctors stated could not recover from severe burns without sufficient skin to cover her wounds.

The trials to which the superDreadnought cruiser Princess lloyal has just been subjected prove her to be ths speediest battlo cruiser in the world. During her trial run the new ship excelled tho speed of the Lion by a knot an hour.

The people of Kaurimu intend making a. valuable presentation to to Mr Gould, roads engineer, who is leaving shortly to take up his duties as engineer for tho Waitomo County, and will tender him a complimentary social on Friday evening next. Taumarunui Press.

The only celebration local in connection with Dominion Day (September 23rd) was the saluting of iho Hag by the Te Kuiti school children. The, uanks and law offices were closed for business but inclement weather prevented any outdoor manifestation of the holiday mood in those- who were freed from their ordinary daily routine.

The Public Works Statement which, it ia anticipated, will bo brought before Parliament next weak is awaited with moro than usual interest this year. In consequence of the inability of the County Council to raise loans for road works the energies of the council will requi-o to be devoted to tho cxpedilure of Govern ment grants. Settlers are therefore hoping for substantial grants throughout the district. The betterment of Te Kuiti from a scenic point of view, is to bo given some attention in tho near future. In conversation with a Chronicle representative tho Mayor, Mr E. 11. Hardy, stated it- had for years been cherished idea of his to have the chief streets laid oil in such a manner as to combine utility with the picturesque by having suitable trees planted, and other provisions made for beautifying tho town. The petition in favour of the railway connection between Mang'aroa and the Main Trunk line via tho Waitewhena route, which has been circulated throughout the district, and is now being forwarded to Wellington. It will in due course bo presented to the Minister through Mr C. K. Wilson, member for tho district. In connection with the stock sales of the district it, was decided some time ago by tho A. and P. Society to endvour to arrange with tho auction- ) eers to hold regular sheep fairs at Te Kuiti in tho autumn. An effort will be made to carry the proposal into effect during the approaching season. For chronic chest complaints, Woods' Great Peppermint Cure, Is 6d,. 2s Gd.*

It is expected that from now onwards the interest in the local stock sales which has be»n somewhat slack of late, 'will be renewed. Although the roads are still very bad the demand for stock becomes insistent as soon as the grass begins to come away and October and November sales Usually stand as the busiest of the season. "I admit that there is a heavy expenditure going on in connection with the destruction of rabbits" remarked the Minister of Agriculture, in response to inquiries, but he went on to say: "Rabbits had to be kept dwon, and the Government had to pay for the work. He was strongly of opinion that the proper way to keep the pest down was to encourage the settlement of land, and he was out to settle all the unoccupied land possible."

The Government, according to the Prime Minister, has no intention of repealing the Noxious Weeds Act, but wishes to see it administered fairly, not with severity. Last year £3OOO was voted by Parliament for fpurpose of eradicating noxious weeds, and £543 was expended. A great deal more ought to be done than had been done previously, and the Government was accordingly asking for £SOOO this year. The Prime Minister further stated that it was intended to get Crown lands rangers to -Undertake the duties of noxious weeds inspectors, and their salaries would be jointly borne by the Agricultural and Lands Departments. At the Nelson Magistrate's court on Saturday, Wm. Henry Coles, until a few days ago a police constable stationed at Nelosn was charged with breaking and entering the premises of Albert Karsten, furniture dealer, and stealing goods valued at £lO 3s. Accused, who reserved his defence, was committed for trial. On a second charge of breaking and entering the same premises on a different date, with intent to commit a crime Coles was also committed for trial. Bail was allowed.

The Hon. F. M. B. Fisher, speaking at a dinner on Saturday night at Wellington, said he hoped within a month or two to effect an improvement in the conditions of the employees of the Government Printing Office. He had visited the office, and found that had the place been in charge of private owners the conditions i;«s3er which the men were working wuold be termed a disgrace. The place was cramped, and the work was done under most insanitary conditoins. hoped the Government would try better the conditions of all State employees.

A petition has been forwarded to Colonel W. H. Hazard, president of the Auckland Acclimatisation Society, from a number of anglers in the Taumarunui district bringing under his notice what is considered to be a very real grievance the practice of taking fish with the "hou hou," or "matai grub." Almost without exception, states the petition, the natives resort to this form of fishing and their example is being followed by some of their pakeha friends. The petitioners state that they would be grateful if an endeavour were made to have this unsportsmanlike practice stopped by law. Even if the Minister were not in favour of making the restriction general, it might be possible to get it applied solely to the Taumarunui district. "It is commonly reported here " continues the petitioners, "that the Government will not move in this matter, because the natives of Rotorua and Taupo might withdraw the right-of-way on their lands from the tourists. However, wise such a policy may be in the immediate vicinity of a large tourist resort, there surely can be no such reason for permitting such so far afield Taumarunui." Colonel Hazard will flfcing the petition under notice at the Hfext meeting of the council of the Auckland Accimatisation Society. The ventilation of the Borough Council buildings was referred to at the meeting Council last night, and it was decided that the architect be instructed to take steps to provide a system of ventilation for the building.