THE OTAKI HOSPITAL

New Zealand Times, Volume XLVI, Issue 10614, 12 June 1920, Page 8

THE OTAKI HOSPITAL

PROTEST AGAINST CLOSING

(Special to the “Times.”)

At Thursday’s meeting of the Palmerston North. Hospital Board a considerable amount of business kept the board occupied until a late hour. When the correspondence was read with respect to tho Utaki hospital, it was deemed advisable to adiouru the matter, as it was evident tho discussion would occupy some time, and tho meeting resolved to take that step, the wuolo of the correspondence, etc., to lie on the table meanwhile. Among the correspondence, received were protests against the proposal to close the Otaki hospital, from tho Manakau. public. Levin Borough Council, Maiiakau branch of the N.E.F.U., and Shannon Borough Council. The secretary reported having received a wire irom the Lepartmcnt of Public Health, asking for copies of all resolutions passed by the board with respect to ' the closing of tho Otaki hospital, to which the scretary had replied that resolutions had been passed. Mr J. K. Hornblow stated that he had had a conversation with Dr Valinniio with respect to the Otaki hospital. when he (Mr Hornblow) had suggested that possibly the Otaki institution might be- used as a maternity home, with provision for meeting any emergency case of accident or sickness. Mr Hornblow said they had a Government institution (the Sanatorium) at Otaki, and ho could not for. the life of him see why urgent medical cases could not be dealt with there. Mr Hornblow gave notice of motion that the resolution passed by the board some considerable time back, to the effect that the board would take over the Otaki hospital at such time as tho Public Health Department requested them ao to do, be rescinded. Dr Whitaker said ho had a notice of motion to bring down, and proceeded to speak on the matter, when Air Penn protested against, a speech in explanation* of a notice of motion. Mr Penn also gave notice of motion for next meeting, as fallows: —‘That the Public Health Department bo notified that this board is willing to take over tho control of the Otaki hospital at the end of the, financial year.”