REMODELLING OF HOSPITAL

Press, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23317, 1 May 1941, Page 3

REMODELLING OF HOSPITAL

♦ PLAN MAY BE DELAYED FURTHER WARD LIKELY AT BURWOOD 'The £500,000 plan for the complete remodelling of-the Christchurch Public Hospital, which was placed before local authorities last year, may not be proceeded with immediately. The North Canterbury Hospital Board yesterday decided that as the prospect of completion of the reconstruction • scheme within a reasonable time was somewhat remote, the emergency committee should consider whether -it was advisable for another ward to he provided at the Burwood Hospital. . . After dealing with the increasing demands on hospital facilities, both from civilian and military sources, the medical superintendent (Dr. A. D. Nelson) in his annual report to, the boax;d, said: . “Recent events give me the impression that the rebuilding of Christchurch Hospital will not ,be undertaken in the immediate future, and .my recommendation to the board is that consideration should now be given to the question of providing more accommodation (even of a temporary nature) either here or at Burwood. “My general impression is that, with the, exception of the outpatient department, we could control the civilian aspect of hospital activities, but if the military, situation becomes dominant we cannot maintain a good service for both civil and military patients. . - “Minor building considerations, such as rebuilding the laundry on a different site, providing additional beds attached to wards 12 and 13, additions to, the theatre, and possibly a new kitchen, ! are necessities, but whether the total reconstruction' programme, as outlined in. tl.e reports of Mr A. J. Phillipps (of the Palmerston North Hospital Board) and-Mr S. W. Minsqn, the architect, should be proceeded with immediately, is a policy matter for consideration by the Government and the board. My own opinion is that the complete programme should not be gone on with immediately, but I would like to stress the point that this is my opinion only, and should not influence the board too much in making a major decision of this nature.” The board received authority for the purchase of a property in Antigua and Acton streets at a cost of £I6OO, as a site for the laundry, which is to be transferred from the hospital. The finance committee recommended that additional property adjacent to this should be bought, making an area of approximately one acre. This recommendation the board adopted.

Price of Whisky.—Advice has been received of an advance in the export price of whisky in case and bulk of approximately 25 per cent. It -is hot to apply to whisky now in New Zealand or afloat. The effect will be not only to Increase the price of whisky, but also to reduce quantities shipped, inasmuch as licences to import are based on 11)38 values, not volume;— Press Association.