THE NEW HOSPITAL.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXX, Issue 9003, 13 December 1907, Page 5

THE NEW HOSPITAL.

YESTERDAY'S OPENING CEREMONY. SPEECH BY HON. G. FOWLDS. TREATMENT OF CONSUMPTIVE PATIENTS. The new Masterton Hospital, which has only recently been completed, was formally opened by the Hon. G. Fowlds, Minister in Charge of Hospitals, yesterday afternoon. The day was warm, but a cool breeze blowing modified the effect of the sun's rays, and made the outing pleasant. Naturally there was a large crowd of townspeople, chiefly ladies, piesent, and the multifarious variety of the costumes of the latter tended to give the impression that a gala was in progress. The new building, which has already been described in these columns, was critically inspected, and the general impression of the edifice and its appointments seemed to be favourable. Ihe gathering comprised a large number of prominent citizens and visitors, and among those present besides the Hon. Mr Fowlds were: Mr A. W. Hogg, M.P. (chairman of

the Hospital Trustees), the Mayor (Mr J. M. Coradine), Dr. Frengley (District Health Officer); Dr. Wallace McKenzie, of Wellington; Dr. A. Hosking, member of the Hospital medical staff; Dr. Cowie; Messrs E. G. Eton (chairman of the District Hospital Board); F. G. Moore (secretary of the District Hospital Board;; J. C. Scott (District Inspector of Roads); M. Caselberg, R. Brown, W. T. Mansfield (actingTown Clerk), J. C. Ewington, M. J. H. Jackson, F. W. H. Kurhmer, and W. Harris, (members of the Hospital Trust). At about 2.30 o'clock, Mr Hogg opened the proceedings. He read apologies for unavoidable absence from th? following:—Dr. Mason (Chief Health Officer). Dr. Valintine, (Inspector-General of Hospitals), Dr. Makgill ■ and Dr. Ross (member of the Hospital medical staff), and Messrs W. Moore (Mayor of Carterton', D. Loasby (Mayor of Grey town), W. J. Welch (chairman of the Masterton County Council), A. 0. Considine (Martinborough), W. Fisher and F. Mead. Mr Hogg also mentioned that an unfortunate accident had occurred to Mrs Coradine (the Mayoress) that morning, and this prevented her from being present.

Before asking Mr Fowlds to formally open the building, Mr Hogg said ho would like to state briefly ,why the new edifice had been erected, and the old one abandoned. People seemed to think that the trustees were influenced by extravagant notions in removing from the old building, and if they did so they were in error. The trustees had stuck to the old building, and kept on patching its defects until they got notice to quit by Dr. Valintinc. Then came the trouble of procuring a site for a new building. A site procured in Worksop road, but this produced such a whirlwind of disapproval that it was abandoned. Wherever the trustees looked for a site the price of land went up enormously. Mr J. Renall would gladly have given a piece of his Solway property, but he had. other people to consider besides himself in giving away the land. Then the speaker thought of the present site, and after much trouble the School Commissioners were persuaded to give nine acres for hospital purposes. This land was then put up'by auction, and of course the Hospital Trustees secured it. the price being £270. After this difficulty had been surmounted the formidable task of erecting new buildings had to be taken in hand. Funds had to be provided, and as usual the ladies of the town were to the front. A fancy fair on the Showgrounds realised £3OO, a floral fete in the park £215, and subscriptions and donations amounted lo £7Bl. With the Government subsidy the total amount available was then £3,000. But there were further sources of revenue. The sum of £BOO was realised on the sale of the old site, several grants were forthcoming from the Dibtrict Hospital Board, and a special grant of £2,000 came from the Government, for which the speaker believed Mr Fowlds was largely responsible. The preparation of, plans was then undertaken by Messrs Crichton and Mackay, and finally tenders were called and Messrs Coradire and Whittaker, local contractors, secured the work, the price being £8,233. A good deal had been expended on the building, but he did not think the trustees coiild be accused of extravagance. He little thought that the cost of the building would run into five figures, but with extras, such as architect's fees, clerk of works' salary, etc., added, the cost would be £9,100. Furniture and gas fittings had run into £BSO, and septic tank, drainage and water supply another £4OO. The outbuildings and roads had yet to be completed. He was pleased to state that with the exception of the tiles on the roof, the whole building had been made from local products. In conclusion he complimented the architects, contractors and clerk of works on the manner in which the work had been carried out, and he thanked the Box-ough Council for the water supply, the gas manager (Mr J. W. Black • man) for installing the gas service, the medical staff, the matron, who had worked assiduously, and finally his co-trustees for their co-operation in to bring the matter of a new building to a successful issue. He then called upon Mr Fowlds, who, he said, took the keenest interest-in all hospital matters, to declare the new building open. Mr Fowlds, who was warmly applauded, said he was sure the occasion was a very important one for the people of Masterton. They had i every reason to feel proud of such an

institution. T .t had come to be felt these days that it was the public duty to make provision for the sick of every kind and with the great advance in medical science it had come to be realised that buildings that were good enough for hospitals 25 years ago, were totally unfit for the purpose to-day. When the new hospital was in full working order he considered that Masterton would have one of the best-equipped hospitals in the dominion. People in Masterton were exceptionally fortunate in many ways, and were wonderfully blessed by nature. They also had many advantages for which they had to thank

the foresight of the early pioneers of the town. Many reserves had been set apart for the people of Masterton by her early citizens, and it was on one of these reserves that the new hospital now stood. The site was an ideal one. It was not only suitable for present requirements, but it would allow of expansions in buildings in the future, which was a matter of great importance. He noticed that provision had been mace for the treatment of infectious diseases cases, but there was one thirg that he would like to impress on the trustees, and that was that bsfore they had done all that was required of them, some provision shou'd be made for the treatment of consumptives. There was no reason as far as he could see why consumptives should not receive the same careful treat ment as persons afflicted with other diseases. There in the hospital there was plenty ol accommodation and up-to-date apparatus for the treatment of diseases, some of which were brought about by people's own caralessness; but for the poor consumptive who was afflicted through r.o fault of his own by a dread disease which cut short the life of man there was no room for any treatment whatever. He earnestly appealed to the trustees to do something in this direction. The Minister went on to say that the people of New Zealand were fighting vigorously against all tubercular diseases, and the opinion of all medical authorities went to show that by sufficient precaution and efficient treatment, these great diseases could be eradicated. He hoped the trustees would assist in the great national crusade against disease. They knew what a great outcry there was when smallpox broke out at the ports, but some seemed to forget that consumption was to be found all over the dominion, and it behoved all to fight nationally to keep out this formidable foe. The speaker then offered his congratulations on the completion of the building. Though it had cost a lot of money, much of it had yet to be paid Jor. Mr Hogg seemed to be successful it tapping all the sources of cash, and no doubt he would see the trustees out of debt. By the completion of the building he hoped a great deal would be done for suffering humanity, and that great cures would be effected within its walls. The Hon. Mr Fowlds concluded by expressing pleasure at being present at such a great ceremony. Mr Hogg here remarked that the trustees did not owe a sixpence on the building. They had acted cau tiously, and had thereby been able to open the building free of debt. Mr Fowlds then formally declared the building open, and invited the people to make a tour of inspection. Afternoon tea was served by ladies of the committee, who had been working for some time past to I make the opening ceremony a successful one.

The committee was comprised of the following:—Mesdames W. H. Husking (president), J. C. Boddington, Cochrane, Colliex*, Coradine, Day, Giddings, Hogg, Morrison (matron), Piatt, Rayner, Ross, Tai Te Tan, Taylor, and Miss Vallance. The enjoyment of the afternoon was greatly heightened by the presence of the Master ton Municipal Brass Band, who rendered a number of selections in their usual excellent style. In thcnevening an open-air concert wai given in ,aid of the Hospital funds, and was largely attended. The Orchestral Society, under Mr S. Earee, rendered a number of items in their usual fine style and vocal items were contributed by Mesdames Rawson and Ja*o, and Messrs Hunn and W. J ago. Subsequently a gift auction of a pet lamb, presented by Master Piatt, was held, and the animal realised £5 7s 6d, which, with the Government subsidy, will increase the funds by over £ll. The takings at the gates amounted to £9 18s 6d in the evening and £ls 3s in the afternoon.