SEPARATE HOSPITAL FOR TAUMARUNUI.

King Country Chronicle, Volume VII, Issue 572, 31 May 1913, Page 4

SEPARATE HOSPITAL FOR TAUMARUNUI.

DISCUSSED BY WAIKATO HOSPITAL BOARD. "The council desire to enter a proteat," wrote Mr .!. E. Slatterv, clerk to the Taumarunui Borough Council, in a lotter considered at yesterday's meeting of the Waikato Hospital Board, "against the present system of treating accidents at the local hospital, which is under the control of your Board. They are of the opinion that had the late Mr Henry Smith not been compelled to undertake tho journey to Hamilton, his life may have been spared, and the council therefore ask that something should bo done locally to mitigate the suffering of patients without the necessity of the long and arduuous journey to Hamilton." The chairman said thai; when the board took over the cottage hospital at Taumarunui it was understood that, it was to deal with minor cases only. The Waikato Hospital was to be used as a base, and all serious cases were to bo sent there. Now Taumarunui desired to break away and erect a building of their own. Thiß would involve a large expenditure and an operating theatre would be necessary. The board had never taken anything away from the Taumarunui Hospital. On the contrary, they had sent away and procured Dr McKnight's services, and had increased the amount of the annual contribution. The board had thought that everything was going on satisfactorily, when suddenly this trouble cropped up.

Mr Chepmell expressed the* opinion I that the district; had become far too unwieldy. lie moved Hint if the Taumarunui people brought legislation Lie fore Parliament, with tho ohi je.ct of obtaining a severance the board should support the proposal. Mr John stone seconded tho motion. Tho tendency seemed to bo to blame the Waikato Hoard for nveryhting. It had been suggested that tho hospital wm not well equipped, and yet experts like Dr Douglas and Dr Valintino said it; was one of the bent, equipped in tho Dominion. At this stage the board went into committee to consider a lot,tor on the oupslon from Dr Douglas. Upon resumption Mr Shaw said that he was in complete sympathy with the motion movad by Mr Johnstone. The Taumarumii people should ho allowed to cut adrift if they desired to do so. The hospital had been quite a a well managed under the hospital board a-j under the Covertrvient. lie regretted tho action of those who had ventilated their grievances in the matter in the papers of the district. Mr Paterson was of opinion that tho letter should be referred to the modi cal superintendent to report upon. Mr Ryburn said he was satisfied that the board had always done its boßt to deal with any cases from Taumarunui. The time had arrived for the establishment of a separate hospital district with its base at Tauinarunui. This must be realised when the distance from Frank ton and the number of mills in the district; was considered. The motion was then put and formally carried, a provision being added that plans of the proposed boundaries must be submittod to the board for approval.