036red �:j�o Ian Amr lixltt2tll°ilaslEI,9
"�,o�sn
Lauded by La so r
Following is the text of the speech given yesterday by
the Lieutenant -Governor, Hon. Ray Lawson, as he opened the;
new, ATe`xandra Hospital:'— - - ;
Today we are celebrating a momentous and an historical
occasion in the history of Ingersoll.
It is nearly two years since we last came to Ingersoll, our
pleasure at*that time being the official opening of the Wilson
Memorial Swimming Pool'
During the intervening months I have heard many com-
plimentary remarks regarding the pool which Dqr and Mrs.
Ernest Wilson gave to this community..' This modern pool,.
with all the newest accessories,"has been a model for other
pools being built throughout the Province.
Today we are marking another milestone in the history
of Ingersoll We are pleased to take part in this ceremony
opening this fine new Hospital, a building- erected for the
benefit of the whole community. The people of Ingersoll and
district are tto be congratulated on their vision and foresight
and their great community achievement.
The endeavour to extend to all citizens the best possible
medical and surgical facilities with skilled nursing care, will
contribute in no small way to the general well-being of all in
this Community, and to all those who have given freely of
their time in bringing this splendid structure to` such a suc-
cessful completion, a great debt of gratitude is due.
Need Pride in Community
For pride in one's own community -the endeavour to
extend to all citizens the best possible medical care and
surgical facilities —is the very spirit that best serves to make
i = a nation: prosperous, contentedand happy.
The'progressive and energetic character of our people
.acting together for mutual welfare is the forcewhich -makes
so' many of our Ontario Communities outstanding models of
self improvement.
To all who worked or gave ,we wish to express our sin-
cere thanks and to heartily congratulate them, for if ever a
'Hospital belonged to the people ` of 'a community, this Hos-
pital is surely' an outstanding example. It is an example of
what freemen and women in a free country can achieve, and
so long as the 'bricks and mortar stand it will be a monument
to those who have so loyally supported and worked for it.
Our Province owes .a great debt to them.
A Hospital in a community may well be likened to any
public utility'or'any public service and you may well be very
proud to have this Hospital completed with the highest poss-
ible scientific, equipment so hospital care for all classes may
be provided.
Prepared To Save Lives
the greatest of all services, "the saving of human lives."
Here, by the services of the strong and well, , the ailing
are protected through an agency which has for many years
been deserving of praise and, blessings particularly in times
of catastrophe and suffering.
Great advances have been made in hospital facilities and
accommodation, just as great advances have been made in
medicine and surgery.' Any conventional ;hospital, though,
faithful to the tradition of the past, must keep pace with the
progress of the age.
In our Province, actually under construction at the pres-
cut time; there are, 21,new building projects under way, as
well as 69 substantial additions being made to existing hospi-
tals' which will provide a further 6730 new beds, making in all
a total`of 23,227 hospital beds available when these building
projects' have been completed.
On all sides we ,hear people complaining of hospital
charges being so much higher than they were 20 years ago, - -
this may be correct as far as the daily ,rate is concerned, but
medical, science has greatly improved and new, expensive
"wonder drugs" are in; every -day use.
The average person stays -in hospital less than half the
time necessitated 20 yearo ago for the same ailment, and is
usually able to quickly return to gainful occupation, so that
the hospital bill in total is actually far less. ,
Shows Unselfishness
During the past year many of the world's greatest doe-
LIEUTENANT-GOVERNO]
tors have visited our Province al
reminded of Lord Whit ,who
and the blood—Tankblood-Tank in the last
Johnson President of the Royal
an and Si_r James LearmQuth
surgeon who operate on a in
While on a trip to England If
of again meeting these famous' d
adian contribution to. medicine a
the adMiraJion.of;;vjsiers from „a;
;rear""work could noihave been
well-equipped and well -staffed
gor`could it have been accompli
men and women in our Province
nore efficient hospitals and well
The construction of this'inst
and- has been in this community,
ness which must be the corne
3roject.
Greatly Im
When I had the opportunity
new building, I could not help b
:he evidence on all sides of the
applied by all concerned.'
May I sincerely congratulate
district for the vision in building
humanitarian achievement.
And ,in conclusion, let me ap
great success in achieving a con
verve to mark your untiring deA
humanity in raising the standard
ive a more effective and satisfyi
I,know that if you are fort
same' committees in charge who
;hemselves, there need be no api
able value of this hospital to yol
Always keep in mind thhat
Au
D K. ANGUS McKAy
f Bcrq Zkfml.
xh, gave, generous financial assist
ince in'the founding of the Hospit
and member of the original l
Medical Staff. I Im t