New Hospital

Auckland Star, Volume LXXII, Issue 109, 10 May 1941, Page 2 (Supplement)

New Hospital

EPSOM CEREMONY

(.'.overrun-General Lays Foundation Stone

In the presence of a large and representative gathering at the Auckland Infirmary, Epsom, this afternoon, the ceremony of laying the oUicial foundation stone of the new hospital to cost £150.000 was performed by the Governor-General. Sir Cyril Newall. In an address, during which he welcomed his Excellency, Mr. Allan .1. Moody, chairman of the Auckland Hospital Board, said the erection of the six-storeyed hospital block would mark a distinct advance in the board's activities and a change in the character of the infirmary. The serious over-crowding at the main institution, the necessity for further accommodation in the suburbs, and the knowledge (hat attention to the sick and suffering in the community was its responsibility, induced the board to proceed with its long-range scheme. After returning thanks for the welcome accorded him. Sir Cyril Xewnll ."-aid lie was indeed glad to lay the foundation stone of the extension to the infirmary. Tluilding for the Future "One of the chief causes of this war has been that, man's scientific progress has been too rapid." said Sir Cyril. "The discoveries and inventions of scientists have been placed in the hands of men who are not worthy of them, and these men have found in them i source of power which they should never have possessed and have used them for their own foul ends—with no thought for the rights of others. In many ways the world would be far happier had its scientists been less brilliant, but this cannot be said of the science, of medicine. Good health is a priceless blessing, and no work can be more noble than that of bringing good health and. through it. happiness to the sick and infirm. It is a work which typifies the civilisation which we arc fighting t'-> preserve. In a very real sense. Mr. Chairman, you are buildhv: for the future. But \<>u are building for the present as well. "To win this war we must all play our parts to the full, and to do this the nation must be healthy. Those who fall sick must be given all the aid which man can give to re-equip them as soon as possible s" that they may continue to play their part in the struggle. ''The sick and wounded soldiers and sailors and airmen, who have added such lustre to the glorious history of our Empire and have suffered for us all. will deserve everything that can be done for them when they come home, and I am sure that this infirmary will offer to them all that is in its power to do. T wish this building well with all my heart and success to all who work in it, and a speedy recovery and lasting health to all the sufferers who enter it." (Applause.)