THE HOSPITAL.

Auckland Star, Volume LVII, Issue 303, 22 December 1926, Page 20

THE HOSPITAL.

ARCHITECT'S RESIGNATION. BflX. JOR HEARLf £2000. ANGER AT BOARD MEETING. CLAIM FOR BUILDING PLANS. Something in thp nature of a shock •was experienced by members of the Hospital Board last night when they received from their late architect, Mr. G. W. Allsop, along with a long letter intimating that he agreed to the termination of the arrangement heretofore subsisting between the board and himself, an account for £1757 17/2. In the discussion wliich followed there was some degree of aucrry recrimination be-. tween members. It was stated by the chairman that, although Mr. Allsop had informed him over the telephone that he had no option but to resign after he had been informed of the resolution of the board, Jlr. Allsop's resignation had hung fire. He had called upon him (the chairman) and said some of his friends, whom he named, had advised him to resign, which the chairman had characterised as good advice. Then he went away, leaving the impression that he was going to write his resignation. The chairman went away for a couple of days, and he was surprised, upon returning, to learn that Mr. Allsop's resignation had not yet been handed in. Subsequently, Mr. Allsop told him that he had been advised by a member of the board not to resign. "I don't know whether that is correct or not," said Mr. Wallace, "but that is what he told mc." . A Serious "Per Contra." Mr.- Wallace added that the account for £r787 included an item of £278 18/6 in connection with plans for the installation of the machinery at the laundry. There would be a very serious contra claim to that. Other items were for travelling expenses and claims for payment of achitect's fees in connection with building additions which were proposed, but not carried out—including an operating theatre on the roof of the Wallace Wards and an additional storey to the infirmary. Mr. Eowe heatedly protested against the resolution calling upon Mr. Allsop to resign having been published, and expressed indignation that his photograph should have appeared in th-* Press in the circumstances. He said he had understood that the architect's resignation was to have been quietly asked for and not made public until it had been received. "Otherwise I might as well have supported the other motion to dismiss him." said Mr. Howe, angrily. .Mr. Coyle moved that the matter be referred to the finance committee. Mr. Wallace: Refer it to the finance and building committee, to consult with our solicitor and report. In connection with the nurses' home at the infirmary, there is an arbitration matter to be settled. Mr. Allsop has to square that up, and another matter in connection with the Wallace Wards has to he squared up before Mr. Allsop is finally dealt with. "No Animosity." The chairman added that Tie had no animosity whatever towards ihe board's late architect. He had been necused of being perhaps too lenient, kit he had striven to act with strict im;s«tttiality in the trouble which had arisen between the board's officers leaving judgment to the commission of inquiry. In view of the commissioners report, he considered that the board had taken the right and proper course. Mr. Potter: In justice to Mr. Allsop you should note tbat he is prepared to Jfo into the itenw of this account and #elp the board with full particulars. "He has done over £300,000 worth of work for the board," continued Mr. Potter, heatedly. '1 say he was not an employee of the board, and we had no right to call for his resignation. You surely do not think he is going to clear out of the country before he squares up matters with the board? Mr. Knight: You said some time ago that he was a servant of the board. Mr. Potter: I did not, Mr. Knight: You said so, and it was eaid by other members, that he was a servant of the board because he was doing work for the board. Mr. Potter: I put it definitely on every occasion that we were one of Mr. Allsop's clients. Whose Are the Plans? Mr. Coyle: His account ia a large one, but if it is found correct we will, in honour bound, pay it. But he must stay and ccc this other matter of arbitration squared up before he goes away on his two years' tour. Mr. Knight; Before he goe3 away for two years, is he returning the plans for ■which he Las been paid in connection with this £300,000 of work, or is he keeping them in his own archives? I maintain they are the property of the board, and it may be necessary in the future to turn up these plane. If they are left in the possession of the architect, we will be blind and helpless. Mr. Coyle: We are the owners; we have paid for them. , Mr. Knight: This should be dealt with at once. Mr. Wallace: I understand that Mr. 'Allsop always contended they were his property. Mr. Kowe: And you may nsk for them, but I think they are his. Mr. Wallace: He returned some plans, but has others, including those of the main building. Mr. Coyle: We will ask for the property of the board. If he refuses to hand over the plans we will find out our legal position. Mr. Wallace: Better find that out first. There will probably be a dispute. We should be careful how we move. Mr. Rowe: Mr. Allsop distinctly Mates that he will not leave the country until these things are squared up. I •Tγ fc ow "'ore you want. thfpiaS 118001 We ar c talking about "JSafiTi * ***** aW «» unlMlor and report he board s