NGARUAWAHIA.

Waikato Times, Volume X, Issue 629, 1 June 1876, Page 2

NGARUAWAHIA.

May 31. A deputation from the inhabitants waited upon the Hon the Defence Minis. ter at 2 p in, and presented an addrees with reference to the establishment of a hospital in Ngar awahia. They were cordially received by Sir Donald, and the following- was read by Mr L B Harris, as Chairman of the local School Committee, in absmice of the Chairman of the Town Board :—: — The hospital, if situated at N^aruawahia, will bo accessible to patients from the Waipa and lower Waikatu, whereas if it were situated at Hamilton thesu pitienta would have to wait at Ngaruawahia until a steamer was going to Honilton, and would then have to be transhipped to it, which in serious c ises \^s>tsd came srreat inconvenionco and loss of time. In cases of aeiions accidents near the bunks of the Wai pi or Upper W.iiknto, the patients could bo convoyed to the hospitd in Ngaruiwahia in boats down, stieam, bat to got to Hamilton they would have to lv> fcuke'i no stream from Ngaruawahia. Patients from the coal mines could ho taken in boats to Ngaruawahia but not to Hamilton. The township of Ngaruawahia, owing to situation and the nature ef the soil, &c, is a very healthy plaoe, which is of great importance in deciding on the situation of a hospital. The largo building at Ngaruawahia, originnlly built for a hospital, is still available for that purpose, and would require a comparatively small expenditure. The emigrants .cottages at present not used for emigrants could be converted into a school, B, M Court, &c, which are at present located in the hospital building 1 . Thoie is no resident medical man in Ngaruawahin, as the general health of the place is so good that bufßcient iudncctnei t cannot be found for one ; still accidents occur occasionally in which the services of a doctor are required. The advantages of Ngaruawahia over Hamilton as the site foy a hospital aro very great as regards the inhabitants of Waipa, and tlie Waikato below that town, whilst the Upper Waikato does not seem to be pi. iced at any disadvantage by having it there. (Signed) Thos Wilson, Chairman Newcastle Highway Board ; George Edgecumbe, Chairman NgaruavvahiuTown Board ; L B Harris, Chairman Ngaruawuhm School Committee. Sir Djindd then replied to the following effect: — That he was fully aIiTP to the requirements of a hospital in the Waikato, and that ho considered Nsfnruawahia was the most suitable place for it ; that ho would at once order the apnoi.Umont of a

sdoctor, and make temporary arrangements for the care of patients. 'J lie deputation ihcn thanked him and withdrew. He afterwards inspected the hospital building in pyrapany with Mr Harris ami others, and expre&sed himself satisfied •with it-, suitability, a"'" 1 aU> said that he would make arr.uijr r e,W,-i to have the immigrant cott^es aca lit the disposal of tlie School Comm. iee uir the purposes under their control. — uviN (Jonuii^ro.NPEKT.