PALMERSTON HOSPITAL.

Otaki Mail, Volume XXVIII, 16 July 1920, Page 3

PALMERSTON HOSPITAL.

OPENING OF NEW BUILDINGS. A WELL-EQUIPPED HOSPITAL. On Wednesday afternoon last the extensive additions to the Palmerstou North Hospital buildings, and the now Martin Memorial, were formally opened in the presence of a very largo gathering of the public, including many representatives of local bodies. Among the visitors were the Minister for Public Health (Hon. C. J. Parr), Dr. Valintino (Inspector-General of Hospitals), Colonel McGavin (Director of Medical Services), Dr. Wylic (Inspector of Hospitals), and Miss McLean (matron-in-chief of the Public Health Department). The Speeches. Sir James G. Wilson (chairman of Hospital and Charitable Aid Board). who was the first speaker, gave a somewhat lengthy history of the hospital, a few details of which are given else whorcJ He also gave a brief sketch of the life of the late - Dr. Martin, in whose honour they were that day opening what was known as the Martin Memorial. Sir James paid a very high . tribute to the late Dr. Martin, who had been such a distinguished surgeon, and had given his life in the service of his country. He also read a letter from Mrs Martin, in which she mentioned her late husband's intense interest in research work, and ottered £250 per annum for two years towards the salary of a curator for that side of the work in the block. Colonel McGavin added his tribute to the splendid characteristics of the late Dr. Martin. "We have lost a friend," he said; "a loyal, charming, interesting friend. Although we grieve his loss, we take pride in the manner of IDs passing." Dr. E. G. "Whitaker thanked the local bodies who, through the people, had assisted in finding the money for ♦he splendid -buildings about to be opened. The Prevention of Disease. The'Hon. G. J. Parr complimented the Board and the people of (he district on 'possessing one of (he best Cfpiippcd hospitals in the Dominion. It was fitting that the Martin Memorial shoidd be devoted to special work. He referred to the growing necessity for and the increasing use of team work among the doctors, in , order to produce the greatest benefit for patients. He paid a fine tribute i to the late Dr. Martin, a man of whom ;i they were all proud. A lover of his ;l country and his Empire, he had t placed them before everything else. II s said much for our educational system s that it was able to produce such a type ( of man. Referring again to hospital s matters, the Minister deplored the fact a that such institutions wore necessary. t ; He believed that the tin* would conic when they would no longer be essential. There was a new idea attaining a steady growth, that of providing preventive measures. By the help of j education of the people along the right j lines, it was believed that they could I bo taught to keep away from disease, j He hoped in his capacity as Minister j for Public Health to create a new do- J partmcut, which should give its sole a attention to the spreading of propa- |' ganda and education for the prevention j. of disease. In conclusion, he extended j his heartiest congratulations to Matron « McLagau on her long service, and to 'j the Board for having such a valuable j and tireless worker on their stall. J Mrs Martin then declared the j memorial block open, with the words, ! "This building, dedicated to the loving j memory or my dear husband, X now" j declare open, and may the blessing Ot our Lord be upon it always.-" i Mr Parr formally opened the other portion of the building. , The Buildings. jj With these additions the Palmerston j North Hospital raHks as second to none in equipment and general usefulness among the provincial hospitals ot the Dominion. The institution was opened in November, 1593, and during its twenty-seven years of splendid service to the community it has expanded with the times, its score of work has grown more important and more useful, and its benefit, to the increasing population of the district still more apparent. The cost of the first building was £3700, and from that small beginning the hospital has branched out till it has become the large structure it is to-day. Amongst the additions made of recent years are included a women's ward, a two-storey building, an tfperav ing theatre, and » children V ward, besides which a handsome building was provided for the accommodation or the nursing staff, and a resident medical superintendent's house is now being erected. The latest additions (for which a loan of £40,000 was secured) comprise the Martin memorial building (to contain an X-ray plant, physio-therapeutic apparatus, and a bacteriological department), two sue "ical wards and two small -wards; a kitchen block, with accommodation for the domestic staff; a new and complete steam laundry; a large boiler house. , with two boilers, and an electrical fjlaiit. to light the -uncle of the new < buildings. One of the smaller wards, to be known as the McHardy ward, in honour of Mr Leslie McHardy, who subscribed £IOOO towards its cost, will be used as a reiireatiou room for returned soldiers in the hospital.