THE CHILDREN'S WARD.

Press, Volume LXV, Issue 13364, 4 March 1909, Page 8

THE CHILDREN'S WARD.

A SITE DECIDED UPON.

THE WORK TO BE PUSHED OX

Matters in connection with the Children's Ward proposed to be erected at the Christehtirch Hospital were considerably advanced yesterday, as the result of a conterenco between the House Committee of the Hospital rioard and representatives of the Children's Ward Fund Committee and the honorary medical btail, those representatives I being Mrs. T. Leslie Crooke (who took I the place of Mrs. It. Heaton Rhodes, j who .vas unwolt and unable to attend;, tiie Matron (.Mis-, i Jiurston), the House burgeon (Uγ. Crnoke.), and l)rs. Acland and Uistenra ol mc medical stall. Almost all the members of the Hospital Board were i>res«.nt, and took the greatest interest in the subject. The Chairman oi the Hospital Hoard I (Mr. Goo. Paylmg) gave a repre.-enta-tive ot '" The I'itos the lolloping information regarding the proceedings:— The first matter discussed was the question ol a site, and the plans of the nospital grounds and the t-xisting buildings were examined and discussed.. At torwards those present inspected the grounds, in the course ot the discussion on the subject oi a site a good deal of < oiibideratiun was given to the suggestion that the existing wooden portion or the hospital—including the administrative block, the kitchen, the lJuard-room, tho quarters previously occupied by the House Surgeon,' and tho out-patient department—should bo demolished to make room for new structures. The difficulties in tho way were considered too great, as there would be no buildings wherein the administrative offices or the out-patient department could be located during tho rebuilding operations. It was therefore thought best to abandon the idea of erecting tho Children's Ward on this portion of the grounds, and it was thought that at some future date now administrative buildings and un out-patient department might be erected on the Riccarton road frontage of the hospital grounds. A visit was then made to the western end of the Marks Ward, and it was decided to select a piece of ground there as tho site of the Children •■•Ward The party then returned to the Hoard-room, where, after discussion, a motion was duly moved and seconded, and unanimously agreed to:—-'That the section at the western end of the Hospital grounds, bo tho site for the Children's Ward. Ihe question of the building was then discussed, and the conclusion was arrived at that it should bo a two-storeyed one, the lower floor to bo devoted to a surgical ward for women, and tho upper floor to the children's ward. This decision was arrived at unanimously. It was further agreed that when the plans and estimates were prepared, tho cost of each ward should be shown separately, so ihat tho Children's Ward Committee shall be called upon only to find tho sum iequired for tho erection of the portion of the building to bo used as the children's ward. By this means the intention of tho subscribers to the Ward J-und will be carrier! out. Should there be any surplus from tho funds collected, after the cost of the erection and furnishing of the ward has been provided for, it will be invested, and will form the nucleus of a fund specially earmarked for the purpose of improving or adding to the Children's "Ward, or of providing an operating theatre for child patients. In order that matters should be expedited as much as possible, a small committee was set up to discuss matters in connection with the plans, and draw up a scheme for the Children's Ward Mr I'ayling informed the meeting that he was extremely anxious that active building operations should be put in hand as soon as possible. Tho ladies who had undertaken the task of collecting for the Children's Ward had worked extremely hard, and had been so successful in such a brief space of time, that the Board should rise to the occasion and show that they were prepared to put every effort forth to get the building erected as expeditiousl.v as possible. Tho committee appointed to draft a scheme for the ward is to report to a meeting" of the House Committee and the .representatives of the Children's Ward Committee, at a meeting to be held on Monday, when the' matter will be further discussed and further steps ivill bo taken.

Tlie hon. treasurer (Mrs Westenra), | through the hon. secretary iif tho Children's Ward Building " Fund. <icknewleJges tho followina additional ; subscriptions:— Mr OznniiP, JCI ; Swan-! nanca school, per Miss Horrell, Gs 0d ; ' MLss Mary Maclean. ss, Greenpark school (additional), 11s 2d; Tai Tapu conceit _ (additional), 2s; Brick Fund, j ljf- Bon's Bay, per Miss Symes, 14s; j Mr Thomas Harding, Rangie.ru, 10s. j