The Motueka Star PUBLISHED TUESDAYS AND FRIDAYS. “Te Ora Mota Iwi.” TUESDAY, MAY 27, 1902.

Motueka Star, Volume II, Issue 82, 27 May 1902, Page 3

The Motueka Star PUBLISHED TUESDAYS AND FRIDAYS. “Te Ora Mota Iwi.” TUESDAY, MAY 27, 1902.

A conference of re local “bodies was held in Nelson last week to consider the question of establishing a hospital in the district for the treatment of infectious diseases. The meeting was called at the instiga tion of Dr Mason, Chief Health Officer and there were present, besides the Mayor of Motneka, Mr J. S. Wratt, the Mayors of Nelson and Richmond, the chairman of the Waimea County Council and several medical men. During the lengthy discussion which took place some valuable information was elicited, and it was generally agreed that a separate building was needed in which to treat infectious .diseases. Eventually, the following . resolutions, were carried unanimously : 1. That this meeting affirms there is' gent necessity for a general Hospital for infectious-diseases. 2. That the Chief Health Officer be asked to exercise the powers vested in him under Sections 37, 38, of the Public Health Act, 1900. 3. That the basis and area of contributions be the same as that of present Hospital and Charitable area. The proposed hospital is to cost a little over ,£2OOO, half of which is to be contributed by the various bodies represented at the meeting, Motueka’s share being £33. We should like to know what earthly benefit the hospital will be to persons living in and around Motueka who may be unfortunate enough to become victims of some infectious disease ? There is always a risk attached to the removal of a patient even a short distance, but when there is a journey by sea and land of some hours (with all' its discomforts to a siek person),, we feel sure medical men would hesitate befere ordering such removal.. Motueka is included in the Nelson Hospital andjCharitable Aid

Board area, and although the burgesses contribute £6O yearly they have ho say in the deliberations of that body ; the only return to the Borough comes in the shape of charitable aid dispensed to a number of families. Unless the residents of Motueka Borough and the adjacent districts (who will contribute through the .Waimea County Council) unite to form a separate district and erect a cottage or other hospital, they will not only have to contribute towards the erection of this hospital for the treatment of infectious diseases, but will also have to help to maintain the staff necessary for the upkeep of such an institution. Whatever is done, there is no getting away from the fact that the tax for hospital and charitable aid will he increased.