New Plymouth Hospital Annexe

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 7809, 29 April 1905, Page 2

New Plymouth Hospital Annexe

OI'ENINO AHKAXCtiaiEXTS DISCl'StiKO.

A well-attended meeting was hold at the Council Chambers on Friday afternoon to make arrangements for la suitable ceremony to mark the official opening of the consumptive annexe at the New I'lymouth hospital. Mr CI. Tisch (chairman of the Tarunuki Hospital Hoard) 'pri'sidfcl. and among those pnsent, in addition lo lue-nty-s-lx ladies, were Messrs K. M. Smith, M.H.H., 11. Cock (Mayor), .1. <■'■ Ce-.irgo. O. Samuel, C. W. Uovett, and tin* Hev. S. S. Osborne.

'I he chairman, having express.*! :iis pleasure at the in'.iiv.st ninnif.'sU'd in the object of tln> lucetin.;, ..-.xpl.iined that as the result of the .nn.j!ic apical n.rtde ft sum of iviKl Jjeen raisi-.l to establish the aitnexe, and the buildings would laml of the contractors' hands !u a ™ days' time. 'I heir thanks wciv

due to the public who had so Jibcrally subscribed to a deserving cause, ind to the Unites who had vo em r rlically inteivsted thvmsulves in <o'l.xling Ui'j money. As the aniuxe crnsti-neiid was ihe first esMiilhhi •! in connection with a public hospital in the colony, the Hoard at Us last meeting decided to humbly mark the occasion. The example of the Taranaki Hoard in iniderv.u<mg this luiiiHinc work, mid the success which had attended the movo.nont to

raise funds, was attracting considerable outside attention. The Health Department were very desirous that other hospitals should follow in their footsteps and erect annexes for the treatment of consumptive patients, and t'hUßiigh Ihe instrumentality of Dr. Valinline the Napier Hospital Hoard had already obtained a copy of the plans and siwcilications. The opening ceremony was likely to provo a very interesting function, as the Premier had promised to attend, and Dr». Mason and Vulmtine, the Chief Medical Officer

and Assistant Medical Olllccr respectively, were also making the trip, , whilst Sir Joseph Ward would attend if possible. The chuirman further explained that it had been proposed bo hold a garden party on the afternoon of the ceremony, and ai ball in the evening. He suggested that Empire Day would )>c an eminently suitable day for the function It was suggested that the .surplus funds, after paying expenses, be utilised in procuring X rays and other apparatus, or for other improvements to the annexe. Mr Samuel strongly favoured an opening ceremony, as it w;euld advertise far and wide that Taranaki had an example to the rest at the colony. There had been nothing more creditable to the people of New Plymouth and the district t"«" tho way in which th»y had responded to the appeal. To give publicity to its success might be the means of inducing other hospital diitricts to follow their lead. Ho thought Empire Day, May 21, most suitable for the ceremony. He was not in favour of a ball in tho evening. Mr Cieorge considered that the ceremony should not 'be made the means' of ra|isimj money. Ths public had already subscribed heartily and well. The amount raised was 50 per cent, in excess oX what Dr. Valinline anticipated. In discussion several speakers thought there was no necessity to hold a ball in the evening as tho afternoon ceremony would be quite fiuinelcnt. It was also mentioned that the volunteers were holding a ball that evening, and the Fltzroy Brigade a similar function on June 8. After further consideration it was decided to expunge tlie ball from the programme. It was decided to hold the ceremony on Empire Day 4 commencing ait 2 p.m.; also that subsequently afternoon tea, to bo catered for, be dispensed at a small charge. A committee consisting of Messrs Tisch, Cock, Smith, M.H.R., and George was appointed to arrange the details. A vote of thanks lo the chairman concluded the meeting, after which the majority of those present accepted Mr Tisch's invitation to afternoon ten), at the Empire Tsa Rooms.