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Taranaki Daily News, Volume L, Issue 60, 19 June 1907, Page 2

TIIK OPI'NAKE AMBULANCE, 'there seems to be something wrong with the arrangements in connection with the use of the Opunake ambulance waggon. A Rahotu resident informs us that in Iwo instances of late where accidents have occurred in the district, the conveyance was not available when applied for, notwithstanding that the people of the district subscribed towards its cost. and. the Hospital Board, to whom rates are paid, also contributed its share. At Saturday's meeting of the Egmont County Council the matter came up for discussion, and a resolution wis carried asking the Tarauaki Hospital Board to lix a scale of charges lor hire of horses to take the ambulance to the New Plyrnouth Hospital; and also asking it to adopt the same principle as the Haweva Board in the matter of the responsibility for the cost of horse hire, i.e., the Boar I paying the'driver his expenses, and collecting the money from the patient subsequently, or, in the case of the patient's inability to pay. drawing upon the | charitable aid funds for tins amount, j Tlie suggestion of the Council is one which, we hope, will commend itself to the local Hospital Board. It -o us a great pity that the arrangement was not entered into when the ambulance was first procured. If it had been in operation, the unfortunate and disabled Rahotu men, referred to by our informant, would have had the benefit of the use of the ambulance. It was for cases such as these that the ambulance was procured. It was never intended by the private contributors to the fund that anyone, injured by accident. or stricken with illness, should he denied the use of the waggon, ns is alleged has been the lately. No consideration of payment-' of the services of Ihe driver should prevent the ambulance being at the service of anyoiv bi ihe district immediately it is required. H should not be h'ft to a private humanist to guarantee (he payment before the vehicle is obtained. The Taranaki Hospital Board ha:-: never been lo'l: lo help in the past when and where help was needed, and when members realise .the position of things along the coast in respect of the use of the ambulance. they wilJ not. we trust, hesitate io ect on the =n<rgeslion of the Egmont County Council a-rd fall in line with the ilawcvr Hospital Board in making it possible tor the poorest and least known individual on the const to receive the benefit of the use of the ambulance.