Permit Granted For Erection Of Hospital Buildings

Greymouth Evening Star, 24 October 1947, Page 4

Permit Granted For Erection Of Hospital Buildings

[SPECIAL REPORTER] REEFTON, This Day. • A perrpit has been granted, for .the erection of.the new nurses’ home and boilerhouse at the Inangahua Hospital, at a cost of almost £60,000. Concern had been expressed,at the delay experienced in obtaining the building permit but a telegram was received by the Hospital Board last evening from the Minister of Lands, Mr Skinner, through whom representations had been made, stating that the permit ’ had been granted.

The chairman, Mr J. B. Auld, said that when some difficulty was found in getting the building permit for the new ’buildings, the acting secretary (Mr C. A. Belcher) communicated with Mr Skinner, who advised that he was making urgent representations. •

Mr Belcher said he had received advice that the ’ board’s application “was being considered in conjunction with those from other hospital boards” and he had communicated with Mr Skinner. ’ Just before the meeting he had received a telegram from Mr Skinner stating that the permit had been granted in the afternoon.

The chairman said that the delay in obtaining the permit had been causing the board and the contractor (Mr R. Yellowlees) some worry. Mr Yellowlees had his men in Reefton and wanted to be able to get on with the job. As soon as the steel came to hand the building . would be commenced. It was. decided to forward a letter of thanks to Mr Skinner, for his assistance in obtaining the permit. Alteration To Contract The board’s architect, Mr W. N. Trengrove (Christchurch) wrote stating that he had been requested by the contractor, Mr Yellowlees to seek the board’s consent to the insertion of an additional clause in the contract, as follows:—“Any approved increase in the cost of materials. and wages to be subject to adjustment.” Mr J. McGregor: What if there is any. reduction? It should* work both ways. Mr F. W. Arche,r said he agreed that the contract should provide for “variations” both ways.

It was decided to advise Mr Trengrove that, in the opinion of the board, the clause should read: “any approved increase or reduction should be subject* to adjustment. Mr Trengrbve also forwarded the completed contract with Messrs A. and T. Burt Ltd, for heating appliances and machinery for the new buildings, the price being £6878.

Matron’s Requisitions Several requisitions were made by the matron (Miss D. M. Whisker) in her monthly report, as follows: — “Mattresses are badly needed especially in the maternity annexe where on some beds two mattresses are being used to make one good one. Rubber mattresses are now available and had been proved in other hospitals to be very satisfactory and almost everlasting. The mattresses in all the wards have been in use for over five years and with constant use are now becoming unserviceable. I would make a requisition for six rubber mattresses now and a complete replacement for all wards over a period of time. There is also a shortage of lockers. Attention has been drawn to the poor equipment in the laundry, necessitating a considerable quantity of linen having to be sent to Greymouth. It is impossible for the laundress to put through the greatly increased amount

of laundry with an obsolete washing machine and inadequate drying facilities.”

The acting-secretary was authorised to obtain the latest type of washing machine suitable for the hospital. It was also decided, to purchase six rubber mattresses (at a cost of £lO 10s each) and to place an indent order for six more for later delivery. It was also left to the chairman and acting-secretary to make inquiries regarding new lockers, which would be suitable for the new buildings.-

The report of the medical superintendent, Dr C. A. Heaphy, for the past month was as follows: —Admitted 52; discharged 39; remaining 32; births 12; deaths 2; anaesthetics, general 20, local 7; X-rays 3; outpatients 48. ■ The report was adopted, the chairman remarking that members would note that the hospital had again had a very busy time.