HOSPITAL BOARD OFFICES

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIV, Issue 16696, 14 November 1917, Page 8

HOSPITAL BOARD OFFICES

NEW DENTAL DEPARTMENT. BUILDINGS FORMALLY OPENED. The Auckland Hospital and Charitable, Aid Board's new offices and dental hospital, in Kitchener Street, were formally opened last evening by the chairman of the board, Mr. M. J. Coyle. Be--1 sides the members of the boards those present included: The Mayor, Mr. J. H. [ Gunson; Dr. C. E. Maguire, medical superintendent; Captain E. Thomas, house superintendent; Mr. G. L. Taylor, presi- . dent of the Auckland Dental Association;. > and Mr. A. M. Carter, chairman of the j 1 Dental Committee. I , After formally declaring the offices and dental hospital open, Mr. Coyle stated t that the first Auckland Hospital Board was constituted 32 years ago. Prior to ' that, the ■ hospital was managed -■ by the , Provincial Government from 1845 until } 1883, when its control was handed over to a s committee of management. For a time r the offices were situated in Wynd- . ham Street, and afterwards in' Victoria Arcade, and latterly in the old Police . Court at the foot of ' Courthouse Lane. 3 Four years ago the Hospital Board de- . cided that up-to-date offices were required ' and the present site in Kitchener : Street. 1 was purchased out of the*proceeds of cerj tain lands taken from the board under the ,_ Public Works Act. The cbst of the site was £3820 and the ; building, was erected for a sum of £5000. Furniture' and lighting accounted for a further £986, and the dental fittings cost '£643— total I- of £10,450. The. new building comprised a main office, secretary's office," committeeroom, relieving officers' room and two waiting rooms on the ground floor. The first floor was devoted to the- board room and the dental hospital Mr. Coyle congratulated the architect, Mr. G. W. Alison, who, he said, had done exceedingly well i with the money and the site at his disj posal, and also the builders, Messrs. j Grevatt and Son. \ i On behalf of the citizens of Auckland I the Mayor congratulated the board, on the ; progressive step it had taken in erecting j new offices and a dental hospital.' Not-j withstanding war conditions the building! was thoroughly justified, and was a per-i manent improvement- in the city's pro-1 gress. _ Mr. Gunson Said he felt certain I .that citizens appreciated the good work which the board was doing for the sick and poor in the community. The responsibility of the board was very great, and it was fulfilling functions which it was impossible to over-estimate. The war had j awakened a great • interest < in public affairs. Greater efficiency in all spheres of life was demanded, and upon local bodies to give a lead to the community in efficiency, ihe war had called-for the exercise of "greater economy, but in spite of this injunction, winch had been impressed upon the people of New Zealand, he considered the board was completely justified in acquiring those things which; would make -for more efficient service in the community. • ' i On behalf of the Dental Association, Mr. Carter thanked the board for the facilities it Bad given in connection with the new Dental Hospital; The functions of the institution should be to relieve the sufferer, increase the efficiency of the operator, and provide opportunities for giving training to dental students. The new building and the up-to-date dental appliances, were subsequently ih- . spected by those present. ,