HOSPITAL AND CHARITABLE AID ELECTION.

Taihape Daily Times, Issue 220, 23 April 1917, Page 4

HOSPITAL AND CHARITABLE AID ELECTION.

To the EditdT. | Sir.—When I understood sdime ten ! days ago that Di\ Skerman did'not intend to again offer his services as a candidate for a seat on the Wanganui Hospital and Charitable Aid Board, and I had not heard of any other, I decide to offer my services .because, although I have not the least ambition for public affairs, I think that just now it behoves each of us to do. what he can in assisting to work the national machine. I suggest that my 12 years service in the Public Health Department in this district, and my practical experience in dealing with infectious desease, together j with an exceptional knowlege of sani- | tary matters, and some acquaintance with Hospital and Charitable Aid affairs should assist to make me moi-e than ! usually fitted to be a member, of a , Board controlling and supervising the subjects I mention. Further, when,l bcI came Mayor of Marton two yekrs ago, ; I stated that I would try that a small ! Hospital (similar to Taihape for ex- ; ample) should be established here for ; the treatment of minor cases. But the calls for Patriotic purposes have prevented that for the present. I think that the Rangitikei District which remits some £4OOO to Wanganui for Hospital and Charitable Aid district, beshould be formed into a separate Hospital and Choritable Aid district, because, for one thing, the transport of sufferers should be as short as possible. At present major cases, for Taihape say, have to undergo a no ttoo comfort- i able journey, even for people who are i in good health, of at least eighty miles. I I am fully aware that against this have j to be put surgical and other kindred facilities and some expense, but if a large hospital be established at Taihape, major cases also could be treated there from a very large and quickly growing district. While such cases from hereabouts could be sent to Wanganui, ! Palme.rston North, or Taihape, according to arrangement and convenience, i Thus patients would not have to be jolted more thon 40 miles except rarely. As to the greater cost (if any) I do not anticipate that would be so overwhelming. | Yet, while greatly deprecating anything approaching unnecessary expenditure, I am most strongly of opinion that suffering, like life, is not to be weighed in the money balance.

I am, etc.,

F. C. WILSON Marton, I9th 'April, 1917.