A CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIV, Issue 10411, 8 April 1897, Page 6

A CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL.

The following correspondence has been .forwarded to the Mayor, relative to the proposal to establish a Children's Hospital in connection with the District Hospital, to

commemorate the Record Reign of Her Majesty the Queen:—

Auckland, April 6, 1897. To His Worship the Mayor of Auckland. Sir,— that we are on the eve of the Jubilee of the reign of Her Most Gracious Majesty the Queen, allow me, as chairman of the Hospital and Charitable Aid Board, to suggest that the most fitting way to commemorate that occasion here would be that you, as chief magistrate of the City of Auckland, should ask for contributions from philanthropic residents of our beautiful city and suburbs towards building a Children's Hospital. Such an institution would be a blessing and comfort Jto the little ones' who have to be | taken in time of need, to our grand building, the present Hospital. I might state for your information that the present children's ward in the Hospital is very cheerless and unsuitable, being situated on the sunless Bide of the building, and upstairs, instead of being on the ground floor, so that the little patients could get out of doors when convalescent. The proposed site fcr a children's hospital, to contain 50 cots, is next to the Nurses Home, and a more convenient and beautiful situation for such could not possibly be found, the site being in fact that of the site of the old original hospital, built about the year 1845. I may state that some seven years since, in response to an appeal by the late Mr. Charles Atkin, a number of ladies and gentlemen very kindly presented the whole of the cots (fully equipped) for the children's ward, and the Graphic Cousins, at the suggestion of the lady editor, purchased and presented their own cot, and are paying £25 a-year towards the maintenance of the child who occupied it.—l am, etc., James Stick- ■ BURV.

Auckland Hospital, April 2,1897. To His Worship the Mayor. Sir,— the event of auy public recognition by the inhabitants of Auckland of the Diamond Jubilee of our Queen, I beg most respectfully to draw your attention to the need which exists for kilospital for Children.' In this Hospital we hare 10 cots only, and last year we had to treat 123 patients under the age of 10 years; more could have been treated if we had been able to accommodate them. At the present time the whole of our cots are occupied, and would-be patients are waiting for vacancies. The interest which the Queen, and, in fact, the royal family, have always taken in hospital work is well known, and 1 hardly think a more suitable memorial could be established. There is not, I believe, in New Zealand, a Hospital specially for children, though the need for one is very evident. A building in every way suitable could be erected in some part of the grounds' surrounding the Hospital ; it could be placed > under the same management and so a saving of expense be effected. About £2000 would build and furnish a building to suit present requirements. I hope that you will give this subject every consideration. And beg to remain, sir, your obedient servant.— Peaboe Baldwin.