“RED HERRING”

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22317, 30 April 1947, Page 6

“RED HERRING”

HILL SITE TESTS DEPARTMENTAL DELAY NEW MATERNITY BLOCK Correspondence from the Health Department received at Monday's meeting of the Cook Hospital Board on the stability of the Hospital Hill site for building purposes was regarded by several members as evidence of deliberate procrastination by departmental officers ir. respect of plans for a new maternity hospital recently evolved by the board. The department's letter discussed the suitability of the hill site for the new blocks, and outlined tests which should be taken before further building was embarked on on that site. Messrs H. H. Barker and .J. B Wil Hams considered that the letter was merely a "red herring” across the trail of the board's proposals. It was pointed out that the board had decided without reference to any question of the stability of the hill site, on the flats for the new maternity block; and that any further discussion of the hill site could only hold up in definitely the progress which the board regarded as urgent. Mr Barker moved that the depart merit be referred to an earlier letter from the board which set out the considerations on which the board had acted in deciding to build on the flats, and that the department be further advised that board members would take strong exception to any unnecessary delays in dealing with the proposals. The chairman. Mr M. T. Traflord remarked that it seemed to him that some departmental officers were now trying to make up their minds, and had asked for the tests in order to get more time. His belief was that the depart ment might decide to build the new block on the hill The department was putting a lot of money into the I.ospita! now. he added. 1 "They are getting it frtm the’ public, though,” commented Mr Williams.. Several speakers emphasised the need tor early action on the maternity block proposal and the managing sccre tary, Mr C. A. Harries, was instructed to convey the sense of the discussion to the department, together with the motion, which was adopted unanimously.