MATERNITY HOSPITAL

Evening Star, Issue 21037, 26 February 1932, Page 13

MATERNITY HOSPITAL

__— s — : —_ LONDON STREET SITE NOT APPROVED BY DEPARTMENT “ This is the first time we have heard that the Government does not approve of the London street site,” said Mr J. W. Dove at the meeting of the Hospital Board last night, when correspondence was read bearing on the question of the site of the proposed new maternity hospital for Dunedin. Mr H. Divers wrote stating that the property in London street which had been considered as a site for the maternity hospital was now offered for £5,000 in place of the original offer of £6,400 if accepted within two calendar months. If it were not accepted in the time mentioned the vendors regretted that they would commence immediately to subdivide for residential purposes. The Secretary said he had forwarded the information to the department. The Director-General of Health had written in reply stating that, in view of the present financial position, _ the offer could not be accepted. The Direc-tor-General added that even at the price now named the department did not favour the site ip question. Mr Dove: We wore never told that before. The Chairman said it had been a question of two sites—the one in Cumberland street and the other in London street. Mr Dove said he thought the board should assort its rights. _ At the last meeting held in connection with the matter there was a decided majority, oven making allowance for those not present, in favour of the London street site in preference to the other site. They had a definite promise from the Government as far as the erection of

the building was concerned. The Government had positively given a pledge to the women of New Zealand to go ahead with the proposal, otherwise the women of New Zealand would not have raised the money they did. The Government had definitely told them that it was prepared to consider the proposal after March, The Chairman said that as far as he understood, the whole matter was in abeyance. Mr Dove said this was the first time they had heard that the Government disapproved of the site. Mr Gallaway suggested that the board should proceed to the next business, as it was not worth while doing anything at present. There was no use in rushing the Government at present; the Government had enough worries. There were plenty of sites. Mr Dove said that was not the position. They had been told that the proposal would be further considered. Mr Dove suggested that they should write <to the University _ Council, and that a meeting of the joint committees should be held to discuss the matter. Mr Quelch said the Government did not have the money. After further discussion it was decided to inform the Director-General of Health that this was the first time the board had. heard that the site was disapproved by the department, a copy of the letter to be sent to the University Council. Mr Dove: They gave a pledge to the women of New Zealand to do the job. Another member pointed out that the new professor of midwifery, Dr Dawson, had arrived. Dr Nowlands: The Government has not provided its part of the salary to pay the new professor.