TOPICS OF THE DAY.

Evening Post, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 120, 17 November 1909, Page 6

TOPICS OF THE DAY.

No feverish haste, nothing rash, has characterised the tactics of Not the authorities who decided Hustlers, some years ago that Wellington badly needed a new infectious diseases hospital to take the place of the present old and dangerous structure. After a very long wrangle about a site, and tedious debates about plans and amended plans, and the local bodies' shares in the estimated cost, tenders are actually to be called, according to a decision of the trustees yesterday. It is very much to be hoped now that the'progrpss will not be as leisurely as it has been in the past; and it is also very desirable that the trustees should, hasten with the construction of a new ward lor the children. The ancient building now in use was not designed originally to accommodate child patients. It was unsuitable at the outset, and the years have made it remarkably more unsuitable. The late superintendent, Dr. Ewart, very vigorously condemned the structure, which is undoubtedly reeking with disease germs. It was complained nearly two years ago that a child, which could not have had scarlet fever when it was taken into the ward, contracted this disease there. It is also well known that the" ward is a positive menace to the nursing stuff, involving even more risks than the venerable fever ward which has converted many a nurse into a patient. The long period during which these two obnoxious buildings have been allowed to .stand, after attention has been repeatedly and forcibly drawn to their highly dangerous condition, is no credit to either the trustees or the community "I move that the board do now go into committee" is a, More Daylight well-known sentence Wanted. to reporters who attend meetings ef the Wellington Harbour Board. ' During the past year the people of Wellington have been taken more into the board's confidence than in other days, but the board is still largely of a modest and retiring disposition; a habit of years is Bot readily changed. When the hero of "My Lady Nicotine" steeled himself against smoking a full pipe, he pulled at an empty one. We do not suggest that the Harbour Board goes into committee to enjoy an empty pipe, nor do we suggest that there. are no occasions when it is manifestly politic for the board to have its debates in camera, but we are convinced that the board and its works are not sufficiently under the public eye. The recent enquiry about the Petone wharf was made open to the press by the stand taken by Mr. 11. Fletcher, and the evidence should make the public eager to gain a further insight into the board's policy. It is a very important body,, with large assets and large liabilities." It is of huge importance to the people of Wellington to have a Harbour Board of keen, intelligent, energetic men, but the people here have been disposed to take the board unreservedly on trust. The people have been well served, but they might have been even better served if they had chosen to more closely interest themselves in <the board's plans and intentions. Possibly this apathy was responsible long ago for the development of the committee regime, but there are happily signs that the citizens are realising that it will be to their benefit, to keep an eye on the harbour management.