PUKEKOHE'S WAR MEMORIAL

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 8, Issue 452, 21 February 1919, Page 4

PUKEKOHE'S WAR MEMORIAL

Cottage Hospital Scheme ! CHAMBER OF COMMERCE'S ACTION Following on the discussion that arose at the annual meeting of the Pukekohe Chamber of Commerce last Monday in reference to the most suitable form of a local wai memorial, the erection of a Cottage Hospital to serve both the Borough of Pukekohe and the County of Franklin being unanimously favoured, a deputation from the Chamber, consisting of Messrs Frank Perkins, Henry Dell, J. 8. Fawcett, S. Gallagher, A. A. Civil, V. 8. Roberts and R, F. Webster, waited on the Borough Council last Wednesday to solicit support to the scheme. Mr Frank Perkins was chief spokesman and in the course of his remarks he said that some years ago the Chamber of Commerce were anxious to get a cottage hospital erected in Pukekohe. The matter was fairly well under way but the Auckland Hospital and Charitable Aid Board informed them that its financial position was in such a state that it could not assist in the matter and asked the Chamber to postpone the agitation. Now that the selection of some form of memorial was under consideration and seeing that the community would be asked to subscribe towards the movement they thought that as a war memorial a cottage hospital at Pukekohe would be the most suitable. The need for such an institution, he thought was generally recognised. The Chamber of Commerce was unanimously of opinion that the time was opportune for the erection of a cottage hospital. He explained that -if the movement was started they would be assured of the support of the various local bodies. If they did not do something as a benefit to the Franklin County Council as a whole the Borough would have to do something on its own account. The need was now greater than ever, and he was confident that if the movement was started it would be possible to finance it by voluntary donations. He emphasised the fact that the Chamber of Commerce would support liberally a scheme such as a cottage hospital. Pukekohe, he continued, was the centre of Franklin and by the erection of such an institution in Pukekohe the surrounding districts would benefit materially. They were convinced there was no better way of celebrating peace than by the erection of a cottage hospital. Mr Dell endorsed Mr Perkins' remarks and advocated the erec- ' tion of a suitable memorial that would remain for all time, and which would benefit the district as a whole. He suggested that if the Borough Council thought the scheme a practical one they should go to the County Council to invite co-opera-tion. ' Mr Webster stated that a letter had been received from the Auckland Hospital and Charitable Aid f "Board in connection with the matter of the erection of a hospital in Pukekohe to the effect that the Board had considered the proposal and looked upon it as a matter for the local bodies to approach the Board in the matter. He believed the Board was inclined to assist and to do all in its power to forward the scheme. The Board inferred that it was a question for Local Bodies to take up and he therefore hoped and trusted that the Borough Council would consider the proposal and would approach th 9 County Council with a view to both bodies taking action He stressed the need for a hospital in Pukekohe and added that such an institution would prove a great benefit to the whole community. Replying to the deputation, the Mayor, said that it appeared to him there were two issues involved. Firstly, was a hospital a good thing in itself and secondly was it a fitting thing for a memorial. He pointed out that they must look at the liability side. The upkeep of a hospital involved considerable expense. Then again the question arose would it be a benefit ? He thought that if a hospital was erected thev would practically be cut off from Auckland and there would not be an opportunity of getting specialists. He asked what enquiries had been made ? The Council, he said, was depending on the deputation for some definite information. Mr Perkins said they had no information but came to the Council to ascertain if it would support such a movement. He took it for granted that they would be wanted to donate towards a thanksgiving for victory in the war, all would give liberally and he was sure the building would be erected free. His Worship said he knew all would be willing to give but there was the matter of running the institution. Mr Perkins said the County Council's contribution to the Auckland Hospital and Charitable Aid Board was about £2500 annnally, but he did not know what the Borough's amount was. Ihe Mayor : About £250 Continuing, His Worship questioned whether the finances at their disposal were adequato to keep the hospital going. Cr Patterson asked if the deputa- ' tion knew what would be the cost to run the institution annually. He , pointed out that two years ago when ' on the same subject the Council had askgd the Hospital Board for information and were told that the • Board's books were in Auckland and f if hey wanted information they could go and get it. ! Mr Fawcett said they had not come laden information, but the chief object was to get the Council's sympathy. Referring to the urgent necessity for a hospital in Pukekohe, Mr Fawcott instanced cases in which patients on their way to Auckland for treatment became seriously ill.

At this stage o! the discussion a letter was read from the Clerk of the Franklin County Council (Mr Alan P. Day), wherein it was stated that the County Council had considered the resolution passed by the joint sub-committee of the County and Borough Councils to the effect that a monument should be erected at Pukekohe in honour of all boys who took part in the war and who looked upon Pukekohe as their home town. The County Council, the writer said, was of the opinion that a memorial should be erected by voluntary subscription, and they felt sure that if a list was opened with that end in view no difficulty would be experienced in raising the amount required. The Council was further of the opinion that any memorial erected or provided for out of local bodies' funds should be for some utility purpose, such as the erection of a cottage hospital. Cr Armstrong said he believed that the Chairman of the County Council favoured a cottage hospital. Continuing, Cr Armstrong said in his own opinion the object was a worthy one, and one which would receive his support. The Mayor mentioned that it was expressly stated in the Council when the proposal to erect a memorial was mooted that it was the Council's intention to give the residents a voice in the direction of what form a memorial should take. He thought, however, that a lead should be given by the Council. Cr Bilkey said that he understood Waiuku intended to have a hospital of its own. He added that the Borough Council had burdens enough now to carry without being saddled up with a hospital. If a hospital was erected at Pukekohe he thought it would be of a second-class nature, as every appliance required in a hospital was to be had in Auckland, which was more than they would have in Pukekohe. He added that there was a motion on the books of the Council that a monument should be erected, and he thought that should be carried out. His Worship said the Council had considered the matter, and had conferred with the County Council as to what form the memorial should take. He thought it was time they got seriously to work, as there was no time to waste. Further discussion followed, and Mr Perkins, on behalf of the deputation, thanked the Council for receiving them, and expressed the hope that the Council would see its way clear to support the proposal. The matter was then discussed by the Council, the Mayer stating that he was sorry the deputation had not been in a position to supply them with data. He thought that those who enthused over a hospital should , be able to give the Council something definite. Cr Bilkey did not favour the erection of a cottage hospital, but thought a monument should be erected. He [ said he gave his cheque for £2O towards the erection of a monument, i and if that was not carried out he i would not hesitate in withdrawing it. i Cr Armstrong strongly advocated . the erection of a hospital. Every person, he said, who went from that ■ district to the Auckland hospital paid 20s in the pound towards attention, whereas thousands from the ■ city could not pay at all. It was the country, he claimed, that kept the Auckland hospital going. Other Councillors were in sympathy with the proposal, but were sorry definite data was not forthcoming. Eventually, the matter was deferred, and Crs Armstrong and Stembridge were appointed as a subcommittee to obtain all necessary information from the Te Kopuiu, Taihape, and Waikworth hospitals, and to report to the Mayor, who promised to call a special meeting of the Council as soon as the report was ready.