OVER £5000

Grey River Argus, 24 September 1932, Page 4

OVER £5000

For Hospital Repairs NEEDED AT GISBORNE. (Per Press Association). GISBORNE. September 23. A special meeting of the Cook County Hospital Board was held to day to consider the report of Mr C. S. Allen, of Wellington, who is architect to the Department of Health, on the damage caused by the recent earthquake. Threport stated that as the result of the quake. Mr Allen considered an ■expenditure of five and six thousand pounds would be necessary in connection with the hospital. The main portio n of this sum would be for precautionary measures. Altogether, thirty five chimneys would need to be replaced, many having come down in the quake, and others were in such a dangerous condition that th°y had been pulled down since. In the Number Three Ward, which is a womens’ ward, the west wall was badly cracked throughout the length, and there were minor cracks in other parts of the buildings. In regard to Number Three Ward, the onen verandah, though not being attached to the roof, had acted as a battering ram aga inst the walls being mainly responsible for the damage. The remaining four wards were practically undamaged, but, i n the event of another quaae, might suffer similar damage to Number Three Ward. Hence the necessity of strengthening these parts of the building. He recommended that repairs t 5 Number Three Ward be proceded with immediately. Since the quake this ward had been evacuated, as it is at present unsafe for occupation. Mr Allen also outlined various precautions in connection with the four wards. The Board resolved to take immediate steps to repair the damage in Number Three Ward. Unemployed relief labour will be utilised as much as possible. Regarding precautionary measures i n other wards, it was decided to

call tenders for the work as soon as finance could be arranged. The Board also decided to send full details of the position to the Health Department; and ask for an immediate giant towards rehabilitation work.