SMOKE NUISANCE AT HOSPITAL

Press, Volume XCVIII, Issue 29008, 24 September 1959, Page 8

SMOKE NUISANCE AT HOSPITAL

New Boiler House “The Answer”

A new boiler house was the complete answer to the smoke problem from the chimney at Christchurch Hospital, the secretary (Mr J. G. Laurenson) said at yesterday’s meeting of the North Canterbury Hospital Board. The works committee reported that the board’s engineer had reported on the probable costs of proposals by Mr R. T. Douglas, of the Health Department. The advice of the department was being sought on over-all future policy on boiler house services at the hospital. “I won’t be satisfied until we can rid Christchurch of the smoke nuisance from the chimney,” said the chairman (Dr. L. C. L. Averill). The nuisance had been going on for a long time and its removal would be fairly costly. One boiler more than 30 years old had to be replaced. Mr L. Christie said he had not noticed, nor had residents in the neighbourhood, any alleviation of the nuisance since a new boiler was installed.

If gas-fired boilers at Princess Margaret Hospital proved economical, gas should be used at Christchurch Hospital, said Mr G. H. Oldham.

He was not sure whether grit arrestors could be fitted to the chimney, the chairman said in reply to a question by Miss M. McLean.- Half the chimney would have to be removed, the arrestors installed and a metal smoke stack erected.

When motor-cars became costly to run, owners replaced them, said Miss Betty Webb. The chimney should be replaced. The chairman: Trade it in?

The chimney had been an eyesore for years but whether the smoke nuisance could be stopped was another matter, said Mr P. S. Foster.

As soon as the board knew how the Princess Margaret Hospital boilers worked out in operation costs, it would have a good case for gas-fired boilers at Christchurch Hospital, said Dr. Averill.

Mrs G. Boyd said the experience at Lyttelton was that oil burning was a bigger menace than coal burning.