THE OTAKI HOSPITAL.

Otaki Mail, Volume XXVIII, 10 May 1920, Page 2

THE OTAKI HOSPITAL.

COUNTY COUNCIL OPPOSES I SUGGESTED CLOSING. ‘ At tho Horowhenua County Council j meeting on Saturday a lette r was read from Frank Penn, one of the district representatives on the Palmerston North Hospital Board, asking to h* j supported in opposing the suggested j closing of the Otaki Hospital. The Chairman said ho had not taken the remarks of (he Palmerston North Board seriously, aud stated when negotiating in Palmerston over the control of the hospital Fir .James Wilson led the deputation to believe that the 'lumber of patients only would be limited. He (Cr. Monk) doubted ii the Board had power to close the institution even if it desired to do so, and pointed out that members had been very quiet over i certain matters as to cost, etc., and some of their statements were misleading. personally, ! o considered it would be deplorable to close the hospital, as big benefits were derived. Nur-mg for a few days at a time could be procured ai a minimum cost, whereas if sent to Palmerston the expense would be increased, while patients would be away from friends. The same thing applied in cases of accidents. An application had bcc-n made for a district nurse for the Waikanac district, but the Board was unable to even find one. j Cr. Broadbelt agreed with the ebuira,ail’s remarks, and considered it would be a big loss if the hospital were closed. He considered the people entitled to all the attention they could get. Cr. Ryder considered people should have the option of going to whatever hospital they liked. It would be, in hi* opinion, a serious matter to close tho

institution. Cr. Coley agr -ed, and pointed or that the hospital was especially bene fii-ial in watching case-, prior to opera tion, and on this r.-rtter he could s-peal personally. The hospital had done mux;. good and should not be closed. Cr. Broadbelt said at the niceties when the remarks were passed representatives from this district were absent on account of the train -trike. The following resolution was then carried unanimously: Monk-Broad-belt: That this Council H not at all in favour or the suggestion to close the Otaki Hospital, believing that its usefulness in the past can be augmented in the future under the Palmerston North Board, and as a large contributor to the hospital funds this Council would strongly oppose any attempt in the direction of dosing the hospital, at least until it has tad & fair trial under the present Board.

TOWN EOAED PROTESTS. At the Qiaki Town Board iseetifi* last Ttur.-.day, a letter was read iron Mr Frank Pena (Board':-. representa tive on the Palmerston North. Ho.-.pita Board) drawing attention to the dii cushion at the last meeting oi the Hot pitnl Board re the Oiaki Ho-oitai. and auggesjiog that the Town Board pa: = a resolution protesting against aaj attempt to dose the Gtalti Hospital The Cktinaaa ?etLI the Board should Mr Penn in a protest »gaic.-.: during the hospital.. Member.-. of the Board unanimously agreed that the hospital was badly seeded In the district, and it wa-. eßaaijiiO’i-.lv resolved to protest against the suggested closin': of the iaatiturict.