NURSES' HOME.

Press, Volume LX, Issue 18220, 3 November 1924, Page 8

NURSES' HOME.

* SITE IN HAGLEY PARK. DISCUSSION IN PARLIAMENT. (special to "thf pbxss.") WELLINGTON, November 1. The Washing Up Bill, which was before the House of Representatives this afternoon, contained a clause vesting in the North Canterbury Hospital Board, for general purposes, certain land subject to the Christchurch Hospital Act, ISB7. The area referred to is in Hagley Park. When the clause was discussed in Committee Sir Heaton Rhodes asked if the Domain Board was in agreement iu regard to the clause. The Hospital BoaTd had the right to build on part of the land, but for '2l years had not done so. Now, he understood, they wanted to put up a building, a Nurses' Home, without the approval of the Domain Board. In the meantime Christchurch had grown largely, and it was possible, very naturally, that the people might object to the erection of a building on this land, which had been reserved for all time as a garden. If lie were assured, as had been stated, that the objections had been withdrawn, he would not delay the passing of the clause. Mr F. J. Rolleston said he understood that the whole Domain Board objected. The question was not only a local one; it was a provincial matterMr Armstrong said that as a member of the Domain Board he knew a good deal about the matter. The clause had come from the North Canterbury Hospital Board. The land previously' belonged to the Domain Board. There were 13 acres of it. The Act of 1887 gave the Board power to build, but not on this particular part of the land, and the Domain Board had unanimously decided to oppose the building of a nurses' home ou this particular site. Mr Isitt: Have they notified you? Mr Armstrong: Yes. Mr Isitt: I have had no notification. Compromise Beached. Mr Armstrong said he would not like to do anything to prevent the nurses' home from being built. It was only a question of what part of the thirteen acres the home should be built on. The home would be built whether the clause went through or not. He did not care what the House did with the clause. Mr Isitt said he did not think there was sufficient opposition to the clause to warrant their striking it out. At the suggestion of the Hon. W. ISTosworthy it was decided to allow the clause to stand over in the meantime. After the dinner adjournment it was stated by Sir Heaton Rhodes that in the meantime the Canterbury members had held a consultation and had come to an agreement in regard to the clause. Mr Witty said no Christchurch member wanted to see tho clause killed. The Domain Board had approved of the proposal in February last, but withdrew their approval iu July. Sir Heaton Rhodes moved that the clause be amended by striking out certain words so as to make it a condition that no building should be erected on the said land except for the purpose of a nurses' home, and that the design of the building must be apI proved by the Domain Board or other ! authority for the time being having control of Hagley Park. Mr Sullivan raised a laugh by contrasting the sweet reasonableness of the Christchurch members with the attitude of the Auckland members. The latter, he said, had been quarrelling a good deal amongst themselves. The amendment was agreed to, and the clause passed. Mr George Harper, chairman of the Domain Board, stated yesterday that the area referred to is at the west end of the Hospital and consists of about three roods. It is lew-lying land, and is below a terrace. "The whole thing is wrong—very wrong," said Mr H. J. Beswick, a member of the Domain Board. "They are amending the Act to confiscate land by a clause in the Washing-Up' Bill. I am afraid that there is no doubt that the clause will go through, as the Canterbury members are in favour of it, but it is wrong that ■ such should be the case."