THE COTTAGE HOSPITAL.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 3, Issue 195, 15 May 1914, Page 4

THE COTTAGE HOSPITAL.

For Pukekohe District. Inspector-General Discourages The Idea. The proposal to establish a cottage hospital in the Pukekohe district was again brought btfore the Council of the Pukekohe Chamber of Commerce on Morday evening, when the following letter was read from the Inspector-General, Dr Valintine : "Ihe Minister of the Department has referred your letter of the 29th January to me, with rega'd to the proposal to establish a cottage hospital in the Pukekohe district. "The cost of a cottage hospital would be some £ISOO to £2OOO, plus £SOO for equipment. The yearly maintenance would amount to from some £6OO to £IOOO. That is for an institution of six beds. "I trust, however, that your Chamber will not press the establishment of an institution of this nature at Pukekohe just yet, as the Auckland Hospital Board has been put to considerable expense in connection with the extensions at the Auckland Hospital. That Board has also to face the possibility of erecting a consumptive sanatorium and a children's ward. Therefore the time is cot opportune for increasing the number of institutions. "I may say that from experience ot cottage hospitals covering a good many years, I am of opinion that they are by no means the advantage to the community that is generally suppesed and certainly do not give the benefits in proportion to their cost. Mr Andrew remarked: "Considering that this district is a milk cow for the Auckland hospital I am not surprised that they object to parting with us." It was decided to refer the matter to the annual meeting of members on Monday evening for discussion.