HOSPITAL FOR OPUNAKE.

Taranaki Daily News, 21 July 1921, Page 6

HOSPITAL FOR OPUNAKE.

I DISCUSSED BY BOARD, PROPOSED AMENDED PLANS. Once again the subject of Opunake’s claim to hospital facilities was discussed by the Taranaki Hospital Board, at. yesterday’s meeting, when a number of speakers voiced their opinions on the proposed cottage hospital. The discussion was given a new aspect when one of the Egmont County representatives (Mr. M. O’Jirien) indicated the willingness of the Opunake people to accept a modified plan for a hospital. The following notice of motion had been tabled by Mr. J. Andrews:—“That the matter of the erection of the hospital at Opunake be reconsidered, by the board with a view to a reduction in the expenditure in connection with the same.”

In connection with this subject, the chairman (Mr. M. Fraser) wrote:— “In consequence of being a patient in a private hospital, I regret that it is, impossible for me to be present at the* meeting of the board. In view of the

many questions of importance that will be brought ’before the board, I was most anxious to ’be present. I would suggest, however, that Mr. Andrews’ notice of motion be withdrawn. I feel that we have committed ourselves to an expenditure of £2BOO on account of the Opunake hospital, and I am not prepared to alter that commitment in any way. We are, or should be, quite prepared to carry out our promise, and I

am sure that board will agree with 1 my contention. We must carry out our • obligations. For these reasons, there- ■ fore, I make the suggestion of with- ■ drawing the notice of motion.” Other correspondence on the subject of the hospital was from the Egmont County Council, conveying their resolution by which they had decided to (stop their monthly contribution to the [board’s funds until the O.punake hospi[tal had be?n comm edeed. - The secretary to the board (Mr. E. Holden) reported that the levy had ’since been paid. j SETTLEMENT SUGGESTED, i Mr. M. O’Brien said ho thought now’ •that they knew the mind of the board ’.there was a way opened up for eettle«ment. Originally the building was to [eoet £l5OO, of which the board was to [find £7OO. The Department, however, rejected the plan, and submitted one of their own. After discussion, the Nursing Association made certain amendments, and these were subseqently included in the plan. He thought therein lay the mistake, as the suggestions involved a great additional expense to the Government plan, which was really quite sufficient for Opunake. He admitted they had been wrongly advised in listening to the suggestions for the alterations. The association was ,now prepared to give the board £5OO more (on which the board would receive £ for £), and this would make £lOOO. If, when tenders were received the money available was not sufficient, they would, be prepared to accept a reduction in the building. The Opunake people were very keen in their desire to have a hospital; the board, in the opinion of Opunake residents, did not seem to ‘be very keenly interested, and that was the reason for deciding to stop the levy. The Association was informed that the Minister would instruct the board to call fresh tenders.

The secretary said he had received no advice up to the present. Continuing, Mr, O'Brien said they did not desire to have tenders called on the plan which included their amendments, as they were prepared to accept the original Government plan. Now was as opportune a time as could be got for the erection of a building, and the association desired to seethe hospital pushed Mr. O’Brien moved, and Mr. J. Y T oung I seconded: That, the board call tenders on the Government plans as submitted by the Health Department. In reply to the acting-chairman (Mr. E. R. Gilmour), Mr. J. Andrews said, in view of the chairman’s request, he would withdraw the motion. He thought they were all agreed, however, that the board was committed to a certain amount, and would not go beyond that. Mr. O’Brien: We do not ask you. Mr. llalcom'be, replying to Mr. O’Brien’s remarks, said he thought the charge of laxness had been made unfairly. All the board were in sympathy with the proposal to put up a'hospita*! at Opunake. No one had been more active in regard to the hospital than the chairman of the 'board, but the members were not in a position to find the money when the Department said the hospital must not cost more than a certain sum, and would not approve of any expenditure beyond the limit fixed. CALLING NEW TENDERS. Mr. O’Brien: Let us bury the hatchet. It is unwise to hold us to some of our hasty statements. However, we have always been willing to find more money, and arc prepared to make up the deficiency between +he tender for the cost of the building (on the Government plan) and the amount of money in hand.

At a later stage Mr. O’Brien said the idea in stopping the contribution was to bring the question of the hospital before vhe department as much as before the board.

Mr. S. Vickers said he was not going to indulge in recriminations, but certain actions on the part of the Opnnake people could only be treated with i contempt. The hoard was told that nothing less than the plans submitted l would do for Opunake’s needs, and the cost to provide this was 'beyond the board altogether. If reason could have prevailed, and they, could have devised something cheaper, that would have been the proper course. The board at the time was doing everything possible in i the matter, but were, practically up i against a stone wall. Every member 'of the board had interests of Opu- , nakeat hea r t, and all were out to do their j best. They were now told that another sort of hospital would suit Opunake, and he thought they should secure these plans and see what could be done. The acting chairman remarked that Mr. O’Brien had now admitted that part of the trouble was due to the Opunake Association in listening to outsiders on the question of the plans; but up till the present any discredit had been cast on the board.

The resolution was carried, and Mr. Vickers and the secretary were delegated to interview the architect in connection with specifications.

Mr, Andrews said if he had gone on with his motion he would have wanted to know how the maintenance of the cottage hospital was to have been met. Personally be thought the building would have to he on a smaller scale than had been suggested. Air. O’Brien pointed out that, when Opunake patients came to New Plymouth hospital were charged 9/3

per day, and he presumed this would meet the maintenance when they had their own hospital. The acting chairman remarked that this was not covering the expenditure at present.