INFECTIOUS DISEASE HOSPITALS.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXVIII, Issue 7948, 25 January 1906, Page 6

INFECTIOUS DISEASE HOSPITALS.

CONFERENCE OP LOCAL BODIES. A conference of the various local bodies in the Wairarapa Hospital District, was hold, yesterday, in the Masterton County office, to consider the apportionment of the cost of maintaining infectious disease hospitols iu the district. Dr. Valintine, Assistant Chief Health Officer, preaidod, and the delegates present •were: —Crs W. J. Welch (Masterton County), J. A. Renall (Masterton Borough), 11. Cornelius and J. M'Carthy (Pahiatua County), J. D. Wilson (Pahiatua Borough), Jas. Browu (Carterton Borough), J. C. Cooper (Mauriceville), W. Perry (Wairarapa South County), and A. C, Bicknell (Greytown Borough). Messrs R. Brown (Masterton Borough) ami T. Moore and Barrer (Wariarapa South County) ware also present. An apology for absence was received from Mr Murray Jackson. Dr. Valintine read tho section of tho Public Health Act, 1904, uador which the conference was held, and proceeded to explaiu to the delegates the circumstances which necessitated the matter being considered and atepa taken to provido accommodation for infectious diseases. He advised the conference to in- 1 elude the whole of the local bodies in this hospital district iu the sche dule of contributions, and submitted a statement of shares to be borne by local authorities severally for tho consideration of the delegates. Taking the population and the facility for access-to hospitals into consideration, the percentage of shares tor each body is as follows: —Masterton County, 10; Wairarapa South and Peatherston Counties and Pahiatua Borough, 9; Pahiatua County, 11.5; Greytown Borough, 8; Eketahuna County, 6: Akitio Coui.ty, 1; Castlepoint, 0.5: Mauriceville 3; Masterton Borough, 26; Carterton Borough, 7. Mr W. Perry submitted that the x Wairarapa South County should be reduced one per cent., as there wps no hospital in that County. Mr J. A. Renall asked for an explanation as to the reason for assess ing the Masterton Borough to such an extent as 26 per cent. Tne Chairman explained that this was on account of the density of the .population and the facilities that residents of the Uorough had for using the hospital. N Mr W. J. Welch moved "that this confereace approves of and adopts the distribution of shares as suggested by Dr. Valentine." In seconding the motion, pro forma, Mr Bicknell protested that Carterton should not be assessed at less than Greytown, and, he consi. dered, the position should be the reverse. The Chairman explained that the allocation was not for all time, but that should the circumstances warrant, another allocation would be made. Mr Perrry again urged the reduction of the Wairarapa South County allocation and moved, as an amendment, that the Wairarapa South allocation be 8 per c.e t., and Eketahuna be left at 7 per cent,, not deducting any percentage for facility of access. Mr J. Brown seconded the amendment, which was lost, and the original motion was carried. The Chairman asked what the opinion of those present was on the proposal to have one central establishment with a moveable hospital for the outlying districts. The consensus of opinion was in favour of separate institutions -on the score of convenience and economy. Mr J. Brown congratulated Dr. Valintine upon his scheme, and on the motion of Mr Renall, a vote of thanks was unanimously accorded to the Doctor. Dr. Valintine thanked the delegates, and the meeting then closed.