HOSPITAL SITE.

Taranaki Daily News, 15 June 1921, Page 5

HOSPITAL SITE.

DEADLOCK AT OPUNAKE. BUILDING HELD UP. EGMONT COUNTY COUNCIL’S PROTEST. DECLINES TO PAY SUBSIDY. For some time past an effort has been made by residents in the Opunake district to have a hospital erected there, and matters appeared to be progressing satisfactorily until advice was received that there was some irregularity in connection with the transfer of the proposed hospital site -from the Police Department to the Hospital Department. The matter was discussed at the meeting of the Egmont County Council yesterday, when it was decided not to pay the council’s monthly contribution to the Taranaki Hospital Board until a commencement was made with the erection of the Opunake Hospital, some members being of opinion that this would bring matters to a head.

A letter was received from the secretary of the Taranaki Hospital Board enclosing letters from Dr. Valintine and the Lands Department. He also stated that he had written the department asking if the Minister would give legal protection until the position was regularised, so as to allow the work to proceed immediately in the event of arrangements being made for the erection of the building.

Dr. Valintine, Director-General of Health, forwarded a letter from the Department of Lands, which stated that it was now found that special legislation would be required to vest the hospital site in the Taranaki Hospital Board, and that the matter would be noted for consideration with the clauses for the next Reserves Enabling Bill. Dr. Valintine remarked that he was afraid the building of the hospital would now have to be held up until the position was regularised* A letter was enclosed from the Lands Department notifying the Commissioner of Crown Lands that upon investigation it had been found that the reserve was dedicated as a site for a public hospital by way 'Of change of purpose under section 6 and 7 of the Public Reserves and Domains Act, 1908. There was no power under that Act nor the Hospital and Charitable Aids Institutions Act to vest hospital reserves, and as the provisions of section 323 of the Land Act, 1908, did not apply, the matter would have to be dealt with by special legislation. “A MERE QUIBBLE.”

Cr. O’Brien said that it was difficult to understand the position, unless it was official red tape. The Hospital Board had asked for protection until the legislation was passed, and he had understood the Minister was agreeable. No one, however, seemed immediatly anxious to start the Opunake Hospital. Personally he thought the objection was a mere quibble. Cr. Ferguson then moved: “That in view* of the further delay in the construction of the Opunake Hospital, a delay which this council thinks is unwarranted, this council herewith stops its monthly contribution of money until such time as the work of construction of the hospital is commenced.” He said that year after year they had been endeavoring to obtain a hospital for Opunake, and had sent deputations to Wellington and New Plymouth, lyesides having collected about £6OO towards the cost o-f its erection. For the last two years they had been paying £2391 to the Taranaki Hospital Board, to whom they had been paying for the past thirty odd years. When anyone was ill to-day they had to be taken to NewPlymouth, entailing additional expense and worry for their relatives. Now Opunake was being ignored, and he believed it was an attempt to side-track and hold them up. He knew the step he was taking was a drastic one, but he was quite prepared to meet the responsibility. Cr. Trotter seconded.

Cr. Wright suggested that the clerk should ascertain if the council had the power to do this. Cr 4 Ferguson said that the Act provided for the money being kept back out of the Government subsidy. He only wished to keep the payment back until the hospital was started. The Hospital Board also had a remedy, in that they could sue for the money, but if they did the public would know where they stood. Personally he did not think the Hospital Board was prepared to take them to court to show up the imposition that had been placed on the Opunake district for the last forty years. Cr. Tosland thought the council had not received value for the £2391 it paid per annum to the Hospital Board. THE BOARD DEFENDED. Cr. O’Brien said that as a member of the Hospital Board, he could assure them that the majority of the board favored the erection of the hospital. The Minister had given them a cordial reception, and had practically stated that the hospital would be in working Order inside twelve months. Cr. O’Brien was of opinion these delays were due to officials, and not to the Minister or the majority of the board. Cr. Trotter held that there was nothing in the objection. The Opunake Town Board had met a similar position over its hydro-electric scheme, but was told to go on, and when Parliament met the necessary legislation would be passed. Cr. Green asked if it was correct that £6OO had been collected. He understood the council had promised £2OO. The chairman said that £4OO had been paid over, and he believed £2OO was in hand ready to be paid. Cr. Green said that he was opposed to the hospital, which was not in the interests of the northern end at all. Opunake might feel they required it, but they would get no support from the northern end. He considered the least said about the matter during the present financial crisis the better. It was unreasonable to ask the Hospital Board to find the money at present. Cr. O’Brien pointed out that the district had collected £4OO. of which the council granted £2OO. and further sums had been promised. The erection of the hospital would not affect the northern end, as New Plymouth would still take their patients, even if the resolution were passed. BUILDING MARKET EASIER. Cr. Ferguson thought there was wo excuse now for delaying the erection of i the hospital. Materials had dropped

considerably, labor was plentiful, and there would be no trouble about the money. It was only a scheme to sidetrack them and prevent them getting the hospital. Cr. Wright did not want to see the council placed in a ridiculous position. ;To begin with the fault was not in [New Plymouth; Cr. O’Brien assured them of that. They should not blame the Hospital Board for the fault of others. If there was a business man on the Taranaki Hospital Board he felt convinced that they could ’ get a writ within three days. Cr. Ferguson: We would welcome it.

Continuing, Cr. Wright appealed to the chairman not to allow the council to be put in a ridiculous position. He considered the Taranaki Board was wisely guided in not erecting the hospital during the high prices. Cr. O’Brien said that New Plymouth had opposed everything belonging to Opunake. He considered a hospital in Opunake would benefit the northern end of the county as on account of the expense the people from Rahotu would prefer to go there instead of going to New Plymouth. Cr. Ferguson thought the council would be more ridiculous if it showed no pluck and stood more humbug. If necessary they could have a commission to see if they were asking for anything wrong or unreasonable. In further discussion it was pointed out that on its valuation of £774,000 the northern end had donated a good proportion of the council’s £2OO. Cr. Wright also defied anyone to say that he had ever opposed the cottage hospital. He had always supported it, both publicly and privately, but he was opposed to a general hospital. The chairman considered that the resolution would be a mistake. He favored approaching their members of Parliament (Messrs. Dixon and Hawken) with a view to obtaining the necessary protection. If they did not get that then they could pass the resolution. RESOLUTION CARRIED.

The resolution was then put, and on a division was declared carried, Crs. Watson, O’Brien, Trotter, Tosland and Ferguson voting in its favor, and Crs. Wright, Chapman and Green against. The chairman did not vote.

Cr. O’Brien then moved that , a copy of the resolution be sent to the Minister for Public Health. He also moved: ‘ That in view of the deadlock that has now arisen between this council and the Taranaki Hospital Board in the matter of contributions, this council most respectfully appeals to the Minister to intervene and order that a hospital be erected at Opunake without unnecessary delay, and that a copy of this resolution be sent to the Minister through the member for the district, Mr. Hawken.” Cr. Watson seconded. In a brief discussion it was stated that the hospital levy, though not paid, would be earmarked,’Cr. Ferguson stating that he did not desire it held back a moment after the hospital was started. This resolution was also carried on the same division.

Later Cr. W. R. Wright gave notice to move that the Rahotu Riding levy for the Taranaki Hospital Board be paid as usual.