HOSPITAL PLANS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXX, Issue 37, 14 February 1939, Page 11

HOSPITAL PLANS.

ARCHITECTS CHOSEN.

AUCKLAND BOARD ACTS. SPEEDING UP THE SCHEME. To speed up the' planning of the proposed new Public Hospital for Auckland, the Auckland Hospital Board last evening decided to appoint Messrs. Stephenson and Turner, of Melbourne, and Mr. Ray Farrell, of Auckland, as joint architects for the preparation of plans and specifications, "and for all work up to the completion of buildings of the main block at the hospital only, which have already been the subject of preliminary reports and .plans, subject, however, to their entering into such a contract as shall be satisfactory to the board, subject also to the approval of the Health Department of New Zealand, and subject, further, to a satisfactory adjustment of all outstanding liabilities for fees between the board and Mr. Farrell and Messrs. Stephenson and Turner concerning all work done by either of them in connection with the plans."

"The building of a modern hospital is a highly specialised job," said Dr. Hilda Northcroft, who moved the resolution. "Therefore it is necessary to have the advice of specialists in the work. One hospital board after another in New Zealand has lamented its experience owing to mistakes in hospital construction. We cannot do better than appoint hospital specialists to act in conjunction with the board's architect, who has the necessary local knowledge."

Dr. J. P. Hastings seconded the resolution.

Objecting to the course proposed, Mr. E, H. Potter said the board, in its efforts to proceed with the scheme, was contemplating action which would amount to flouting the Government. Departmental officers had inquired into the existing accommodation and facilities for patients at the Auckland Hospital and their report had not yet been published.

Mr. Allan. Moody, chairman, said the board had endeavoured for a considerable time to reach finality on the question of advisers. The local architects' institute had not submitted any names for the board's consideration, and the matter could not be delayed any longer. He thought the Health Department would welcome the step taken.

"The spade work has reached a stage where more experienced advisers should, be brought into the picture," said the Rev. W. C. Wood, past chairman. "There have been some costly mistakes made in New Zealand, and the latest hospital, which has been open for only a few months, has been found to be full of faults. These were only discovered by putting the building into use; then they were immediately evident. The arrangement of a hospital building is of vital importance."

Mr. J. Sayegh suggested that greater efforts should be made to decide upon New Zealand advisers, but when the resolution was put to the vote it was carried unanimously.