DISTRICT HOSPITAL BOARD.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XL, Issue 1813, 13 April 1918, Page 3

DISTRICT HOSPITAL BOARD.

SIR JAMES WILSON RE.-ELECT-,ED CHAIRMAN. On the occasion of his re-election as chairman of the Palmerston District Hospital and Charitable Aid Board at Thursday’s meeting, Hilda mes Wilson said that his connection Avith the Board extended over 20 years, and next year he would have reached his majority. He regarded his re-election Avith great satisfaction, and felt that the other members Avere, like hijnself, imbued Avith the same desire to see the hospital in the best condition. No institution Avas in a position to do more for suffering humanity than a hospital, and their hospital should, therefore,, he maintained at the highest state of efficiency, so that their patients might have every consideration, as Avas the case noAV. Sir James then referred briefly to the history of the hospital. The Palmerston hospital district Avas instituted in 1891, Avhen it Avas separated from the Wanganui district, and Mr Snelson appointed the first chairman of the new Board. In' those days there Avere only two Avards, the men’s and Avomen’s. Then the late Mr J. Wilsher lent the Board a sum of money, and the Wilsher- ward was built. From that time to the present only three secretaries had been employed," The first Avas the late Mr Rutherfurd, then folloAved the late Mr W. Stubbs, and noAV Mr Mansfield filled the position. Mr Mansfield Avas neAv to the Avork, but was shaping very w r ell indeed. As regarded medical officers, Drs. Mclntyre and Porter Avere their first medical superintendents, and among their later medical officers avus the late Dr. Martin, Avho had been such an able organiser, as Avel! as a skilful surgeon, and it Avas to be very much regretted that ho Avas among those Avho had “gone Avest.” There had been but lavo matrons, Miss Doughty and noAV Miss McLaggan, Avho had been 18 years in the institution. The staff had ahvays done admirable Avork, and in this connection the Palmerston North Hospital has always been regarded most favourably as a training ground. Sir James also spoke of the HoroAvhenua district being merged into the Palmerston district. The. taking in of HoroAvhenua meant that the income of the Board Avould be reduced, but if, on the other band, (he Board was going to confer a benefit on the residents of the HoroAvhonua district, then the matter of the loss of a little income need not trouble them very much. Sir James also referred to what might be called the conservative policy of the Board, hut it had to lie remembered that there had been difficulties in raising money by loan, hut at the present time, although they had not heard definitely, there Avas every prospect of a loan being raised successfully, and thus enable the Board’s scheme of extension at the hospital -to he carried’ out. The Board had great responsibilities, and he hoped its Avork Avould continue to be carried on successfully.