THE CONSUMPTION SANATORIUM.

Press, Volume LXV, Issue 13332, 26 January 1909, Page 8

THE CONSUMPTION SANATORIUM.

<_ON*-_Emi__ATE_> WORKS. Tbo -North Canterbury Hospital Board, -which recently decided to take over and complete the Consumption Sanatorium situated on the Cashmere Hills, -will assume formal possession of th© building on Thursday -week, the 4th prox. Tho formal handling over of the uncompleted institution from the Citizens* Committee to tbe Board -will bo mado tho subject of a little ceremony on the lulls, in -which several gentlemen -who have been prominently aesociated -with the sanatorium movement since its inception some few years ago, -will participate.

It is fairly weil known that th© greatest difficulty tho Citizens' Committee had to face in connection with tho erection of the buildings was that of an insufficient finance. Estimates and contracts were based on th© assumption, wlrich at the time appeared to be well-founded, that the Asni>ur_on and Timaru districts would join with Oaristohurch in the scheme. When these centres dropped out, the financial aspect of affairs altered considerably, as the committee were left without any prospect of receiving contributions from .\l_id and South Canterbury. Under these circumstances, tho Hospital Board waa approached to take over tho institution, and, as already stated, tliat body agreed- to <_> so, under the Hospital aud Charitable Aid Act, which give. T_t_i_g powers. T'ho actual financial position, as it at present stands, can only bo given approximately, 'lhe expenditure has been some-tiling over £13,___), and there aro outstanding debts (tor which the Hospital Boai _ has accepted responsibility,), estimated at about. £400. Tihe.e figures relate to the buildings as they ut present stand, and mot to future works. To complete and equip t'ho institution, a furuhor expenditure of£sooo will, it is estimated _ ibe neces_ary.

A "Press" reporter yesterday interviewed Air Geo. Payling, Chairman of tlie Hospital Board, in regard to the Board s proposals for tho completion of tho institution, and the expenditure necessary for its equipment. Mr Payling prefaced his remarks by stating that the Board would endeavour to havo the institution open for tho reception of patients at tho earliest possible moment. There was still, however, a great deal of work to bo done. At the presont time there was no water available for domestic purposes, and ono of the first tasks of the new administration would be to ovcrcomo this deficiency. Negotiations are now prograssing with the City Council to supply the institution from ono of their high pressure mains at the end of Colombo street. A connection might be mado with the 2in pipe which is now being utilised to convey water from tho river to tho reservoir up above tho sanatorium. This water, it may bo explained, is unfit for domestic use. There aro, however, two alternative schemes to ensure an efficient 6i_pply. The first, which presents the more promising appearance, depends upon whether tho ratepayers at Sydenham approve of a proposal which is now being mado to extend the existing high pressure supply. If this approval is given, Fisherton will be included in the scope of operations, and one of the pipes will be in the near vicinity of tbe Sanatorium. A connection- could be made, and the institution would be able to secure,, at reasonable cost, ample water for domestic and drainago purposes, ln the event of failure to get a supply from tbe high pressure service, tho Board is prepared to consider another scheme which involves the purchase of a section in the vicinity of tho Sanatorium property. A small section has been offered, and permission has been given to test the ground for an artesian supply before making the purchase. It has not yet been ascertained whetuer the water could be deliver.*! at the sanatorium from the Sydenham higtfhpressure tank without the aid of extra pumping. If there is such a difference in the levels tbat the water cannot be delivered at tho laundry, which is somowhat below the main buildings, a suggestion has boon made that the difficulty .should b© overcome hy the construction of a small reservoir, to V.ld 5000 gallons, at tho height at n-hWi automatic delivery could be relied upci. From this reservoir the water could '>» pumped up to the existing reservoir, or to tanks erected on tho most con.-om-,ent place near the buildings. Mr Payling said that it would ne to the interests of the sanatorium and tho city if tho high-pressure water snppiy could be used. He was sure that the City Council would treat tho appli.ation sympathetically. _ The Hospital Board could do nothing at the sanatorium until definite arrangements had been made for a water supply and for efficient drainage. There was a good deal to bo done yet in connection with tho drainage, but -the most important part would ( be the provision of a septi_ tank. Then the flat s*Jaco about the buildings would have to be aspha'te.-.1. The expenditure on tho water supp'v, drainage, and asphalting ho .houghwould not exceed £1500

In regard to the furnishing of the administrative block and the provision of shelters, Mr Payling said that in the meantime information was being collected on these points for the guidance of the Board. Personally he did not think it necessary to do everything at once. His idea was to furnish gradually, but to supply all that would bo absolutely necessary for the conduct of the place and the proper treatment if the patients. Fresh requirements could be reported to the Board from

time to time by the officers in charge, and this would ensure that the institution would be kept u_> to date. As to the shelters, no orders for them had been given. Enquiries would be made from other sanatoria as to the descriptions of shelters used and their effectiveness, and everything possible would be done to provide the kind of shelters most suitable for the site in Which they would be p'ricod. He was of opinion that an extra expenditure of £5000 would complete and equip the sanatorium.