NGARUAWAHIA AS A SITE FOR THE WAIKATO HOSPITAL.

Waikato Times, Volume XIII, Issue 1028, 25 January 1879, Page 2

NGARUAWAHIA AS A SITE FOR THE WAIKATO HOSPITAL.

Sib, — Afc a time when fche question of a Hospital for Waikato is before the public, a few remarks, pointing to a suitable location for such an institution, may not be ill-timed. The following are some of the reasons which, to my mind, suggest Ngaruawahia as an eminently suitable place: — It is easily accessible by water, from almost every part of the district, from Mercer to Alexandra or Cambridge. Picture to yourself an accident (such as that to the unfortunate man Warr) occurring, either afc the Harapipi Bush, at tho Churchhill Flax-mill, or in the neighbourhood of Cambridge, and you must acknowledge that you can fix on no spot so universally accessible as Ngaruawahia. The very fact thafc ifc is accessible from such u number of places, by water, is, of itself, an advantage. No waiting for a conveyance, when moments mean life. No jolting in a cart or buggy, when jolting means agony or death to the sufferer. A canoe is procurable almost anywhere, and at any time, and once in a canoe, the sufferer is swiftly and smoofclily conveyed fco where efficient assistance is procurable. Another argument for Naruawahia, rests on the probability thafc the question of salary to the resident surgeon will bo a most important part of the expense. Now, supposing a medical man fco be appointed, who will be allowed to increase his income by private practice, where is there such an opening as at Ngaruawahia ? The upper portion of the district ia already well supplied, while, from Hamilton to Mercer, there is not even a chemist's shop, and speaking for the district, more immediately surrounding Ngaruawahia, I can safely say that, its inhabitants would, by their support, contribute a considerable annual sum to the earnings of a medical man resident in that township. We all know thafc coal mining is a calling peculiarly liable to accident, and, as mining becomes more extensive at Huntley, no doubt, accidents will happen. What place, so suitable iu other respects, would be so convenient for the Huntley coal-miners, as Ngaruawahia. Now, with regard fco fche building, it will, no doubt, be a serious question how to raise funds for a suitable one. Afc Ngaruawahia, there is a splendid building, erected specialty for a hospital, aud now being used as a lock-up, in whioh use, I should say, ifc pays interest to the county, a sum equal to about half the interest of the money expended in nails for its construe, tion. Now, would it not be better for fche d-o verumeut to build another lock-up, or, even ufc.lise tho one which is now lying idle at Ngaruawahia, than to spend fivo times the auiu iu building another ho-pitlal, when money will be so much wanted to purchase the necessary outfit ror the proposed institution. — I am, &c, Common Sense. Ngaruawahia, Jan. 22, lS7t>.