BUILDING PLANS

Evening Post, Volume CXXVI, Issue 7, 8 July 1938, Page 10

BUILDING PLANS

COMMISSION'S REPORT

"BOARD VINDICATED"

The views of Mr. J. Glover, chairman of the Wellington Hospital Board, and others were sought today on the recommendations of the Royal Commission which sat to consider the Hospital Board's building extension proposals. Mr. Glover said that he had not had the opportunity yet of studying a copy of the Commission's report, but from what he had read of it, as published in yesterday's "Post," he thought there was little to which o'bjection could be taken. Mr. Glover expressed the view that the Commission's findings were a complete vindication of the board's proposals.

"From what I have seen of the report as. published, generally speaking, I haven't very much objection to take to the Commission's findings," said Mr. Glover, "although I consider it is a mistake to leave out the wing containing the administrative block, which the Commission recommends should stand over meantime." The saving, according to the Commission's estimate, would be about £78,000. If it were left until latter the cost might be found to be £120,000, and it would certainly not be very pleasant for the patients accommodated in the other wings while the building work was proceeding.

With regard to the Commission's finding in respect to a hospital at Lower Hutt, Mr. Glover continued, the board had already decided to go ahead with, an out-patients' department and maternity wing, but it was considered that it was more urgent that the main block at Newtown should be built first.

"I consider," Mr. Glover added, "that the findings of the Commission are a complete vindication of the Hospital Board's proposals. The fact that there were 817 patients in the wards at the hospital on one day this week emphasises the necessity of the board coming to a decision on the complete building proposals as soon as possible."