Manawatu Herald SATURDAY, MAY 22, 1920. THE OTAKI HOSPITAL.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLII, Issue 2131, 22 May 1920, Page 2

Manawatu Herald SATURDAY, MAY 22, 1920. THE OTAKI HOSPITAL.

THE Otaki Mail is-annoyed hy our reference to the Otaki Hospital as “a makeshift institution,” and says it is uncalled for and discourteous. In proof thereof the Mail says that for the past three years 565 patients have been treated at tho hospital, while for the year ended March 31st last 19(i patients were treated, and OS operations were performed. These 190 patients came from the following localities: Levin, 25; Maim kau, 19; Otaki, 73; Waihoanga, 0: Te Horo, 11; Waikanae and Kikioraugi, 18; outside the 12. The Mail claims that the great majority of local cases can be treated as well in Otaki as in Palmerston, and conclude.-*: “It is a great pity that the editor of the Puxton paper, like the chairman and certain other members of the Palmerston North Hospital Board, did not take the trouble to ascertain the facts of a case like t his before making public mis-statements that, are a libel on our hospital, the reputation of which, we claim, will stand comparison with that of any similar institution in the Dominion.' - '

WE made no reflection upon the conduct of (he Otaki institution, and we regret the Mail’s somewhat hysterical. construction of, the word “make-shift.” The “facts'’ in connection with the Otaki hospital, when (he district asked to In; merged into the Palmerston Hospital district, are still fresh in our minds. Does the Mail imagine that the whole of the Hospital district is to be taxed for maintenance and upkeep of an institution which can be done without? Does (he Mail forget that provision was made in the building scheme and equipment of the Palmerston Hospital for Otaki district patients? The Board’s objective has been all along one central institution, and to provide, nurses for the out district. If this policy is departed from, then it follows that those districts requiring separate institutions must expect to pay a differential rale for their maintenance and upkeep.