THOSE "NESTS OF CONTAGION.'

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 946, 13 October 1910, Page 7

THOSE "NESTS OF CONTAGION.'

• G.P.O. AND SAVINGS.; BANK. . v The official rejoinder to JKss I Eichmond's references, at a recent meeting of the Wellington Hospital and .Charitable Aid Board, to the General Post Office, the Savings-.Bank, and. Jlpney Order. Office as "nests of contagion," appears in an inspection, iepqrt by., Mr. ;'C.' A-. Schauer, Chief Inspector of the Public Health Department, to the District Health Officer.' Mr. Schauer has' "no : hesitation in stating that ample provision for ventilation is.made at.each office;' and that such provision is usually taken advantage of by the officer-in-chaTge and staff of tho respective departments." Of the G.P.0., he- states:—"Along the frontage to Post Office Square there are; four pairs of' double-hung sashes, ivith a total effective opening area.of 102 scinar-e feet, which will easily.alloiv the.air...contained, iu the room to be changed about sis:and a-ctiiarter times per hour, necessary to provide each adult of the average 28 occupants with the. necessary 3000 cubic feet of fresh air per hour.' In addition to the above-mentioned sashes, a pair of double-liunfc doors are .almost continuously open. , .The publics attendance and.staff at the Savings Bank and Money Order Office averages.so at a.time,, and each has an allowance of 800 cubic- feet. The , floor space equals 2223 square. feet. The ventilation is provided by four pairs of double-hung sashes opening/to theopen air at the rear ,of the building,' and three similar, windows opening to Larabton.Quay/. These sasb.es are' rarely open-■ ed owing to the great noise, and dust, but are provided with fanlights, which are almost always open." . .■■■