Doctors for the Backblocks.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVI, Issue 66, 22 March 1904, Page 2

Doctors for the Backblocks.

At the Hospital Board meeting on Monday a letter was read from the uiider-secretary in the Lands and Survey Department, giving some particulars in regard lo subsidising medical men in bush districts. Small sums of from £l2fi to were subscribed by (lovernment towards establishing medical men in the outlying districts, upon the application of the residents backed up by the member (if Hie district. Full particulars of the number of residents, and distance from the nearest, medical ollicer, should be forwarded. Mr Hine stated that the residents in Whungamomona were prepared to find a subsidy towards the appointment of a medical man in the district. They could raise £SO per annum. The Chairman said that the "Board would subsidise the amount, and moved in that direction. .Mr Andrews seconded. Mr I'igoit thought this meant double taxation of the bnckblocks people, 'l'hey already paid hospital rates. Mr Andrews remarked t hat, the settlers would be the gainers. The expense of a local medico would be less than the cost of obtaining medical men from the town, which ran into about <£2B in n recent instance. Mr Cray thought that a doctor so subsidised would become merely a forwarding agent to the hospital. Mr Mackay suggested a time limit. Wlumgnmomona and the Mokau districts were progressing so fast that soon the population would easily support n doctor. Mr Bigot I. thought. Mokou was not the right pJare to station a doctor. It was not. central, but on the conlines of the district. He suggested Uruti. Mr Cliff said the subsidy should be for one year only. They had no right to tie the hands of future Boards. Eventually (he motion was carried to the eifcct that the settlers at Whangamomonu be informed Hint this Jioard will subsidise a resident medical man in that district for one year, up to £SO, on condition that the settlers raise a .similar amount, and that a like subsidy be forthcoming from the Hovernment. The matiej' of subsidising a medical man in the Uruti-Mokau district was deferred for a month, and Ihe secretary will in the meantime write to the Auckland Hoard statins wlvat is contemplated and asking if they will give any assistance.