THE OTAKI HOSPITAL

Otaki Mail, Volume XXVIII, 14 May 1920, Page 3

THE OTAKI HOSPITAL

MANAKAU PEOPLE RESENTFUL, At (he entertainment given at the Muiia'kau Public Hall on Wednesday night, in aid of the local peace memorial fund, Mr Howard Andrew (chairman) said that; tho Manakau people were most indignant at the possibility of tho Otaki Hospital being closed. It had been suggested that, as lliero was a. vary large and representative gathering that night (the attendance must have been fully three hundred people) a resolution might be passed on the subject to strengthen the hands of their local representative bn the Board, and Mr Andrew called on Mr Les. Atkins to move in that direction.

Mr Les. 11. Atkins said it was up to the Manakau people to bestir themselves, and let tho Hospital Board know I hat district residents wore

strenuously opposed to any proposal lo close tho Otaki Hospital. Such a step would be, in tho opinion of the speaker, a preposterous thing to do. Tt appeared to him that there might lie more in the suggestions made by tho Hospital Hoard than appeared on the surface, and he would urge that they b*e prepared to fight this matter if ueed be. Mr Atkins then moved —“That this representative meeting of the public of Manakau and district views with a very great resentment the attitude of those responsible for the proposal to close the public hospital at Otaki. which has proved such a blessing to the whole district. Furthermore this meeting gives its full support to our district representative on the T’almerstou North Hospital Board iu hit tight against this,gross attempt to so injure the humane necessity that has so fully justified it? existence.” Mr P. Inge seconded the resolution, which was carried unanimously.

The Chairman expressed his pleasure at the resolution passed, and said he thought it would be an awful blow to the district to close the Otaki Hospital, which had been such a blearing and comfort to so many, and bad been managed so ably by its beloved matron (Miss Pealy) for :o many years.

Mr Penn (one of the Hospital Board representatives), who was present at the gathering, explained that he bad had nothing whatever to do with the manor being brought forward that night. However, he was pleased that the resolution had been carried, as it ■would sfrenthen his hands. Mr Penn said that there was no definite proposal to close the hospital, bnt in view of the expressed opinion? of certain members of the Hospital Board at its last meeting—when none of the Horowhenaa repr«?entatives were present to confute the statements made —it was wise, he thonght. to let the Board know tho very strong feeling that existed throughout the district on the matter. Mr Penn added that he had

asked the various local bodies in the district to protest against any attempt t 0 dose tho hospital, and already the Horowhenna County Conned and the Otaki Town Board had passed resolutions in that direction. __