WAIKATO HOSPITAL BOARD.

King Country Chronicle, Volume VIII, Issue 668, 13 May 1914, Page 4

WAIKATO HOSPITAL BOARD.

The figures in connection with the Waikato Hospital Board, which are published in this issue will be of widespread interest. A large increase in estimated expenditure is noted in comparison with the amount expended during the previous year. Everybody will be in agreement with the policy of keeping the central hospital up to the highest stage of efficiency, and the contemplated improvements to this end, which will absorb an amount of £7500. is answeiable for the greater portion of the increase. The back country, however, is not being overlooked, and the estimates contain amounts aggregating £I2OO for a nursing home and a doctor's residence. Compared with the attention directed to the backblocks a few years ago the present position is a very great improvement. In the early days of settlement in this district; until, in fact, a couple of years ago, conditions wars not satisfactory, and facilities for the new districts were difficult to obtain. How-

ever, continued agitation and the active endeavours of our representatives on the board at length compelled due recognition of the claims of the district. The adoption of the Pfo Pio scheme, tha providing of a nurse for Tangitu, and tb.9 assistance now given to Kawbia, are unmistakable indications that the board 13 adopting a broad outlook, and realising greater responsibility than merely the administration of the hospital situated at Hamilton. There is no doubt tho central hospital must ever be the chief concern of the Board, but that there are other obligations of as great relative importance ia a principle which must be fully recognised. That this principle has been adopted as a feature of the Board's policy is a matter for allround congratulation. Included in this year's programme are the districts south of the Waitomo County, which will ultimately be merged in the proposed Taumarunui hospital district. The valuation of the districts concerned, including the whole of East and West Taupo Counties is

£2,238,260. From this it will be seen that the severance of this portion of the district cannot materially affect the Waikato district in which values are rapidly increasing and must continue to increase i'or many years to come. The Board ia to bo commended for its fat-sighted and liberal administration of the affairs of a very large district in which the rapid increase of Hettlnment makes continual demunds upon tha timo and considera-1 tion of the Board.