HOSPITAL APPEALS.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXVII, Issue 3734, 22 December 1906, Page 2

HOSPITAL APPEALS.

The Palmerston North Public Hospital Board is appealing to the public for donations towards the building fund of the Hospital. This is the third Christmas in succession at which this appeal has been made. It is well that it should be understood that not a penny of money so gathered will be spent in the cost of maintenance of the institution. All the cost of working is supplied by the Government grants, but the Government is unable tc enlarge bospital buildings at a rate sufficient to keep pace with the growth of population—hence the special appeals lately made annually for building funds. At the same time it is well to remember that for every pound raised locally the Government adds another pound by way of subsidy. The first building appeal for Palmerston Hospital was made three years ago, and resulted in the provision of a nurses’ home. But still the wards were seriously crowded and so, with the money raised last Christmas, a fine brick ward of two storeys is being built. This will provide 35 more beds and also a much needed children’s ward. The Board appeals this Christmas for means to build a worthy operating room. The present room is most unfortunately placed, is much too small and is out of date—its appliances. So frequently nowadays does the hope of life hang upon a successful operation that we feel sure the present request of the Board will find a ready response from the whole distrist. Foxton sends a larger number ot cases to the hospital —especially in accidents— than any other portion ot the district, in proportion to population. One day recently five cases were received from Foxton. And a large proportion of these cases are of meii who have no homes or whose homes are entirely unfit to be turned into nursing wards when tlie occupiers fall ill. At the request of the Foxton Corporation the offertories at All Saints’ Church tomorrow will be for the Hospital Building Fund. We hope to hear of a worthy sum resulting.