SERVICE HOSPITALS

SEVENTEEN NOW BUILT AUCKLAND'S BIG EFFORT (P.A.) ■ CHRISTCHURCH, Wed. Details of several of the 17 "military hospitals built to- the order of the Government for New Zealand and United States forces through the Defence Construction Council were given" by' the Prime Minister, Mr. Fraser, to-day. These hospitals lacknothing in comfort and -equipment, he said. For the most part they are of one storey, designed on' typical New Zealand lines and spreading over wide area's to ensure the maximum of sunshine and air. ' "The new military hospital at Cornwall Park, Auckland, itself as large as the Auckland Public Hospital, is a miracle of speedy and efficient. construction," said Mr. . Fraser. "It comprises 90 separate buildings and has a total - floor space of 250,000 square feet, approximately six acres. Provision has been made for 1050 patients and a staff consisting of 68 officers, 143 nursesvahd 504 male attendants. Its cost was £566,470. ■ ~j "Hobson Park military hospital at Auckland, in use by the United States military forces, intro'ducea-'""-' steel prefabrication to New Zealand. . This was added to substantially by wards designed in New Zealand and, this institution has now a floor area' as great as the Cornwall Park hospital and beds for 160 patients. It comprises "74 separate buildings and is staffed by', 69 officers and 663 ratings - The cost of additions was £350,000." "•*■"' ' '. ,'.,'