INVALIDS RETURNING.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LII, Issue 15998, 17 August 1915, Page 8

INVALIDS RETURNING.

PROVISION IN WELLINGTON. ADDITION TO HOSPITAL. [BY TELEGRAPH—PRES3 ASSOCIATION".] Wellington-. Monday. A special meeting of the Wellington Hospital and Charitable Aid Board was held this afternoon to consider the question of making provision for sick and wounded soldiers returning from the front. , The chairman, Mr. H. Baldwin, said that several conferences had been held with the authorities on the subject during the past week. On Saturday a small sub-committee representing the board waited on the Minister for Public Health and made certain suggestions. They suggested that the necessary provision "might be made by putting another storey on ward No. 4, Wellington Hospital," and making 'an addition at a cost of £3400. An alternative proposal, which was favoured by the doctors, was the erection of a building for 40 beds on the kitchen garden block, on the left-hand side as one entered the hospital grounds. This building could he erected for £3000, and nurses' home and other requisite buildings for a further £3500, without providing for upkeep and administration. The Minister said he was prepared to advance the sum required if the board would go on with the work. The Government required 100 beds from now on to the end of the war.

i It was pointed out that at present the board had a verbal arrangement to provide for from 50 to 60 beds. Rather than do what the Minister suggested, the board was prepared to meet him by suggesting that a hospital be built upon the hill, on a level with Victoria ward, to provide for 40 beds. The chairman urged that the board's proposal was much preferable to the Minister's, on the ground of less cost, nearness to hospital conveniences, less staff, etc. The board then proceeded to discuss the matter Dr. Barclay, medical superintendent, suggested that the Minister might give the board a grant of £6500 and let the board make the necessary provision with it. Later, the board met the Minister and Colonel Valintine in conference. Mr. C. M Luke moved that a new ward be built over ward No. 4, with a wide verandah around it and a small operating-room attached. The Hon. O. W. Russell said that he hoped to be able to arrange for the distribution of the wounded New Zealanders all over the Dominion. He did not propose to concentrate them in the large centres. He thought it would be necessary to have the more serious cases there in order that they might receive the special advantages that the large hospitals could offer. " You naturally desire that this erection for the wounded soldiers should be of permanent value to the hospital." said Mr. Russell. "'That is what I cannot consent to. If I provided a permanent additional ward to the Wellington Hospital out of the war fund there would be applications for similar treatment from every part of the country. I cannot do that." He hoped that the board would be prepared to undertake the work of erecting the temporary structure he had suggested at a cost of £6500. the Oovcrumont to find the money and provide for the maintenance of he patients. Mr. Castle moved as an amendment that the board should proceed with the work on the lines suggested by the Minister.

Several members of the board urped that the Minister should reconsider his determination to build merely temporary buildings. If the money had to be spent it would he better emn'oyed in the erection of nennnnent buildings which would servp the suldws first and the gencin! public afterwards. The people who had to find the money would not want to see it wasted on temporary buildings. After further discussion Mr. Castle's amendment was carried.