NEW PROVINCIAL HOSPITAL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XIII, Issue 4484, 28 March 1876, Page 3

NEW PROVINCIAL HOSPITAL.

Tms tnilding r iß,Bo,f.ar a towards completion that its external appearance and "the extent of it 3 internal accommodation for the purpose's to which it-is to/be deveted, - are, upon the. most cursory. examination, discernible. As a structure, it is conspicuous by its from the sea jt . is'the first landmark tti'at" strikes the 'eye.'' It stands 230 feet above the sea-leveL~~ It has been previously described in our columns with great particularity, - so that we need at present only to notice its more salient features. It is a plain oblong with four corner turrets slightly elevated above the main roof, having a central transept surmounted by a tower. These turrets and the central tower serve the double purpose of relieving the plain architectural lines of the body of the buil<?xuj, and act as air-shafts to ventilate the inftcj or. The whole length'is 226 feet and the transept 120 feet;- The basement and ground-floors will be principally occupied by cellarageanddomesticoffices. On the ground-floor are the operating-rooms, dead house, and cells for delirious patients. The two upper floors will contain, each, two large wards, one wing of the building being apportioned to males, the other to females. These wards are each 72 feet by 24 feet. So capacious are these apartments that there will be 1008 cubic feet of air space for each patient. The turrets will be supplied with lavatories, bath-rooms, and other appurtenances.- The transept will be mainly occupied by the board-room, waiting-rooms, accident wards, museum, and library. The number of patients for whom provision is made is 120; but the accommodation will be ample for the reception of 160, or even a greater number. As a means of comparison, we.may state that the present wooden hospital was built to accommodate 60 patients; but it has, at times, afforded space for 90 beds. The great want of the old edifice was separate accommodation for specific diseases, and one of the most depressing effects upon the patients has been that incurable and dying inmates were to be found in the same room with the convalescent. This state of things, which was a great obstacle to the success of every species of curative resort, will no longer exist after the new hospital shall have been occupied by the sick. The architect (Mr.' Herapath) has, with great ingenuity! so apportioned the internal space as to afford the maximum of convenience and accommodation. He has been very successful in securing means of ventilation so complete that no complaint can possibly ariseon this score. The newest improvements have been adopted to this end, so that not only can a constant degree of temperature be maintained, but the whole building can be permeated, or, if we may so speak, flushed with fresh air at any time. The facade will not be wholly without ornament, but the ornament is not superfluous. It is accessory to the general purposes of usefulness. which pervade the whole design and plan. In front and rear there are two fine flights of steps built on arches of brickwork. In front of each of the upper stories are verandahs ten feet wide, extending the whole length of the building. These will be convenient for exercise or repose to the convalescent. A period of nearly eleven months has been ■ occupied in rearing the building to its present advanced state. It will in all probability be fit for the reception of the sick about the close of the present year or early in the next. Nearly every description of work is being prepared on the site, a circumstance which favours despatch. The contractor, Mr. Taylor (late Amos and Taylor), has pushed on the work with praiseworthy energy. Not a little of this result is also due to Mr. James Derrom, the clerk of the "works. "We are much indebted to Mr. Lirwell, the foreman of the joiners, who took us through the building upon the occasion of our recent visit.