NORTH SHORE’S NEEDS

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 1055, 20 August 1930, Page 10

NORTH SHORE’S NEEDS

ESTABLISHMENT OF HOSPITAL URGED HOSPITAL BOARD MOVE

The provision of hospital accommodation on North Shore where accident cases could be given prompt medical and nursing attention was strongly urged by members at the Auckland Hospital Board meeting yesterday. 'While the suggestion was referred to the Building Committee of the board for consideration, little hope was held out that any capital work of this nature could be undertaken this year, or that the Government wouki authorise it. The proposal was advanced by Mr. SV. K. Howitt when the Finance Committee’s recommendation that the provision of an ambulance at Birkenhead should be deferred for 12 months, came forward. The committee's reasons were the existing financial stringency and the consequent difficulty of obtaining the Minister’s approval to an: capital expenditure. Mr. W. K. Howitt referred to ttkG need for hospital accommodation on North Shore to deal with cases such as occurred in the tragic motor smash on the Albany -Birkenhead Road on a recent night. lie contended that a district of over 25,0€0 people, separated as it was by lhe harbour, vi-.i consequent difficulties and delays -.n transit, should be served by a small institution. The opinion that there were styeui suitable sites for a small hospital, which should be inspected at an ean; date, was expressed by Mr. L. H. Rotor. He added that the existing depression was being made too muen eland that it would .shortly disappear. He claimed that hospital accommodation on the North Shore should be provided in eight or nine months, especially in view of the fact that thousands of people migrated to the marine boroughs during the summer. Mr. IV. Wood said that he had yet to be convinced of the wisdom o> establishing subsidiary hospitals north and south of the metropolitan institution. which, he considered, could not be too fully developed. He asserted that too many public men were imbued with the bad idea that they mus T have public money spent in their own district, irrespective of the value received. . . , Dr. E. B. Gur.son advanced the idea that some arrangement might be made by the board with a hospital in existence on North i-hore to receive accident cases, or others urgently requiring medical treatment. The chairman. Mr. W. W a.lace, stated that the Government would not permit the board to embark upon any large expenditure this year and he thought the best course would be to provide some accommodation on North Shore in the nature of a receiving home for accident cases. He paid a tribute to the Ferry Company for its efficient service, which was available in emergency day and night.