THE OTAKI HOSPITAL.

Shannon News, 20 April 1926, Page 3

THE OTAKI HOSPITAL.

FURTHER DISCUSSION BY BOARD. "Wo were slated moat unmercifully," stated the chairman (Sir J. G. Wilson) to the Hospital Board yesterday, when reporting on his visit to Otaki in company with Mr. J. K. Hornblow to discuss with the Minister of Health (Hon. J. A. Young) and the Otaki people the future of the Otaki hospital. "The people down there placed a very strong case for the retention of the hospital before the Minister, who, in Eoger de Coverley fashion, replied that there was much to be said on both sides." The Minister also asked those present to realise that each side was sincere in its opinions, sdid Sir James. He had riot expressed his personal opinion yet. "Despite the fact that we are'not popular," said Sir Jam'es, '< we will have no ill-will for the Otaki residents."

Mr.. J. K. Hornblow remarked that he had been much hurt by the statement of Mr. W. H. Field, M.P., that the residents of Otaki had no faith in the Board. That was a most unfair statement to make. No member of the Board had boon unfaithful, and Otaki was no exception. During the epidemic, the Board had done its utmost to assist Otaki and he regretted that mis-repre-sentations had been made to the people there. These had not been made deliberately, but the people had been misinformed that, when the lower end of the Manawatu was merged into th. 3 Palmerston North district, the Otaki hospital would be N taken over. The Otaki people should know that the Hospital Board never administered the institution there, nor had it been responsible for it. The Board had been responsible for the payment of patients' fees only. The Otaki people had been made the offer of an emergency ward, but it had not been accepted. However, the Department had the big say in the matter and no doubt would confer with the Board later. He hoped that the matter would be settled with 1 satisfaction to both parties. Mr. G. A. Mo.ik reminded the Board that it had agreed to maintain four beds in the hosp'tal and yet subsequently deliberately passed a motion that it would not contr.bute to the upkeep of the patients. Was that ,right? The whole trouble between Otaki and the Board was that the Otaki people were not clamouring for the Board to take over the management of the hospital again. If the Health Department would retain the management and conduct the institution as a hospital, he did not sec why the Board should not pay for the upkeep of patients there. It was that withdrawal of support that had created the ill-feeling. Mr. Nash: Von don't suggest that the Board was not asked to take over the hospital? » ,

Mr. Monk: I do. . _ Mr. Nash: That statement was deliberately made at the conference at Otaki. ; ■Sir J. G. Wilson: And that we should bring the hospital up-to-date. Mr. Hornblow: The reason why the Board withdrew its payments was to bring the matter to a (head. Mr. H. W. Smart- mentioned that a statement had been made about a separate hospital district at Otaki. If there was any ehanci! of that suggestion materialising, the Board should reconsider its estimates. Sir J. G. Wil:«m: It was suggested. Mr. Monk: A most unfortunate suggestion and it should not be taken seriously. ~ , ~ Sir James: Mr. Field made the statement and the Board would have no objection. _ Mr. P. J. BvOer asked the Board to remember that it cost almost as much to bring patients to Palmerston North hospital by ambulance as it would to treat them at the Otaki institution. Mr Monk' to be disassociated with any movement for the separation of the lower end of , the Manawatu from the Palmerston .North Hospital Board. _ r . . , , The Board wid await the Minister s report. . . We have bcr.i asked to reprint an article that appeared in our columns on May 12th, 1920. which is as follows: