The Daily News TUESDAY, APRIL 20. HOSPITAL ACCOMMODATION.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 71, 20 April 1909, Page 2

The Daily News TUESDAY, APRIL 20. HOSPITAL ACCOMMODATION.

tt ha* been growiim iuciciMiejlv evident of late thai the existing hospital buildings had just about outlived their usefulness, and that the costly work of rebuilding could not much longer lie delayed. The Hoard for some time past hiis been fully aware of their obligation ill this respect, but, unfortunately, it seems to us. have neglected to make any provision for the future. No one with any sense of justice can cavil at the administration of the hospital by the Board in so far as maintaining a high degree of ellicioucy is concerned, and also in adding to the attractiveness of / the situation. In view, however, of the » knowledge that a time was fast tip--1 proaching when a considerable sum of I money would be required for the renewal 11 of the buildings, it seems to us that it

would have been a wir:er policy to eoni serve the funds, particularly the donations, for the more necessary works. I We were not altogether in agreement with out correspondents who have recently been objecting to the expenditure of the Hoard's funds to provide a somewhat costly brick and iron fence along the hospital front, for the reason that, if the money was not required for necessary improvements in the hospital, the improvement of the Board's property wan a perfectly justifiable expenditure. When, however, barelv a month has gone by before the Hoard'is faced with the problem of considering ways and means of making considerable enlargements, if not reconstruction, of the hospital buildings, the position assumes quite a different aspect, and one that, to our mind, entirely justifies our correspondents' criticism. The chairman of the Board stated yesterday that there was still some C20I) ot the recent hospital collections in hand, and we have no hesitation in urging that, under the circumstances, the money should be specially ear-marked and set aside for the building fund. Our onlv regret is that the Medical Superintendent did not bring this matter forward three months ago. in which case we are certain the two or three hundred that this fence is costing would never have been permitted to be spent for its present purpose. There is no use in expressing regrets, however; and after all no suggestion is made that, the money \n being wasted—only that it might have been applied to a better use.

There is a certain amount of satisfaction to be derived from the fact that despite the curtailment of the hospital district, the popularity of the institution is such that it is usually almost overcrowded. That the overcrowding is largely accounted for by the demands of female and infantile patients renders it all the more imperative, however, that as little delay as possible should ensue in providing the requisite accommodation. Further alteration to the existing buildings should be vigorously opposed as being a mere waste of money from which no adequate return for outlay could be expected. We are of opinion that the work of rebuilding need not necessarily he taken in hand in one undertaking. The work might with perfect reason, ami without in the least sacri4*ing economical construction, be carried out ward bv ward, ov wing bv wing. By this means the difficulty of providing I the requisite funds would- be greatly ] minimised, and a maximum of usefulness could lie extracted from the existing buildings ere they have perforce to bv .demolished. A »tnrt might be made with a new wing comprising a-coinniodi-Ou* children'* ward in brick, or. if funds arc available and immediate requirements dictate, an additional ward above, for with the ground space available there is little doubt the hospital must ultimately be a two-storied structure. 11l the re-erection of the hospital we are strongly of opinion that the district should evi.ice some self-reliance. The public have always betokened a sincere regard for the institution of whose record tliev are justly proud. No appeal for financial assistance has ever been made in vain, and with even greater liberality, in our opinion, would an appeal for funds to provide the nucleus of a new hospital he met. Only quite recently the Duneilin hospital raised some thousands of pounds, by public subscription, for additions to the public hospital, and we have yet to learn that the people of Taranaki are.less liberal, or less self-reliant, than those of Otago. Our hospital, certainly, is not in the fortunate position of having wealthv benefactors, nor. on the other hand, is it unfortunate enough t„ 1, 0 situated in a locality 7iOted for niggardliness. We are confident, therefore, that the people of Taranaki would respond with the greatest liberality if appealed to. and we hope the Hoard will at least -ask th.. people" Move going hat in hand to the • ■overnineiit.

I XATCUIvS MKMUXE. In I lie l.invenimont's laudable sciiemc ot li-ti-.iirlniH'iit it will l, ( . observed with satisfaction that lite a/lairs of the Tourist Department arc to bo the subject of reorganisation. Xew Zealand, in her wonderful thermal regions, possesses an asset Hie value of which is, imfortn.iately, not fully appreciated bv the I'i'ople of tiio Dominion. Or rattier it ni;iy be tlial the result of tue jioliev adopted for developing our thenua'l regions lias been sneli tnal while inducing the patronage of tile weaitny and tilt globe-trotter, it has not tended to '■nng tin. health-giving as well as the aesthetie properties of tin- springs within the limited resources of the average citizen. In other words, our wonderful resorts have developed into recreation grounds for the wealthy classes to the detriment of the masses, This is certainly not as it should, be, particularly with regard to those whose object ri visiting the springs would be on the score of ill-heultii.' We therefore welcome the proposal of tin- lion. T. Jlaci kenzio to utilise the curative properties of the thermal districts [or tin. benclit of the masses. That, the scheme will meet with opposition from the Hospital and Charitable Aid Hoards may be expected, but, to our mind, money spent in the direction indicated by the -Minister would be wisely expended. If invalids, especially tiie indigent, cannot procure relief front their sutl'erings without such special treatment as is available at the thermal springs, they may often become permanent, dependents on the hospitals and charitable aid. If, on the other hand, a course of treatment at the springs restores them to henuli, the Hoards are relieved of any further obligation, and while patients would gain in health, the board* would he gainers financially. Whatever may be the nllimate decision of the Coverninent. it is it reassuring feature that the policy if to In- on lines t!:••'. will popularise'our health-giving resorts amongst our own ipeople.