HOSPITAL FARM EXTENSION.

Shannon News, 11 September 1928, Page 3

HOSPITAL FARM EXTENSION.

A NECESSARY INVESTMENT. Notice similar to that which came before the Levin Borough Council was received by the Horowhenua County Council on Saturday from the Palmerston North Hospital Board a 3 to its proposal to purchase an additional property as an extension to its farm at Awapuni, at a cost of £ISOO. The County Ghairman (Mr G. A. Monk), who represents the Levin, Shannon and Otald boroughs on the Board, stated that the circular had been sent out so that the various contributing local bodies should know exactly what was happening. The Board was ' not asking for the approval of the local bodies to the proposal, the circular being purely for their information. The approval that had to be obtained was j from the Department, which would find half the money. He would like to correct the imputation made at the last meeting of the Lecfn Borough Council, that the Board was asking the local bodies for authority and had already done the deed. As a matter of fact, the farm had not been purchased and could,not be purchased until the Board had the necessary authority from the,Health Department. The other half of the cost would have to be found by the contributing local bodies, but the managing secretary (Mr Pliilltpps) did not anticipate that it Avould increase the* capital levy of £3500. Speaking as a representative on the Board an*d as a farmer, he thought it was essential that the Board should obtain this extra land,-which was offering to them, for the purpose of being able to produce sufficient milk for the hospital and the Old People *s Home. This need had been brbuglit about firstly by the increase in the number of patients, and secondly by the staff required to-look after them. By charging Is a gallon for milk to the hospital the farm had so far been able to show a substantial profit, and it should be able to do the same in the future. The area of the new farm would be 108 acres. Cr. Barber: Would you, as a farmer, be prepared to make the purchase. The Chairman: I think so, with the land that is already' there. It is the only direction in which we can extend. ✓Cr. Catley, who is also a member of the Hospital Board, stated that he was present at the meeting at which the proposal was decided on (subject. tothe Healith Department’s approval). The average price ran out ‘at £l4 5s an acre, so he thought it was quite a reasonable proposition. They had to accept the statement of Mr Phillipps that the present farm would not pro- j vide the milk that was necessary and I that the hospital authorities had to pay j the market price in the winter, this V being considerably above Is per gallon. ’ The communication was received.