KING GEORGE HOSPITAL

New Zealand Herald, Volume LV, Issue 16966, 27 September 1918, Page 6

KING GEORGE HOSPITAL

DELEGATION POSTPONED.

STRENGTHENED PERSONNEL Tnr, visit of the delegation from the Red Cross Society and the Order of St. John to Rotorua, to inquire into the complaints in regard to the King George V.. Hospital for Soldiers, has been postponed from to-day, when it was intended to leave Auckland, until Tuesday next.

Some additions have been made to the personnel "of tho delegation, which, as finally constituted, consists of Mr. Charles Rhodes, chairman, Mrs. Buckleton, Miss Murray, Messrs. V. J. Lamer, Wesley . Spragg, A. G. Lunn, I). H. Wilson, and Dr. H. E. Bertram, of Rotorua. The Mayor, Mr. J. H. Gunson. stated yesterday that Dr. Bertram had agreed to assist the delegation in its inquiry, and both the Red Cross organisation and the Order of St. John would very much appreciate tho advantage of securing his services. As to the reasons for the postponement of the visit, Mr. Gunson stated that he had received further communications from the Minister for Defence, Sir James Allen, advising him that certain information which he desired to place in the possesion of tho delegation would reach Auckland to-day. The delegation would make the visit with the Minister's full approval. In view of tho importance of the investigation and , of the public interest, which had been evinced in it, it was considered necessary to defer the preparation of the order of reference under which the delegation would conduct its proceedings, until the Minister's letter of advice was received.

CRITICISM MISUNDERSTOOD. STATEMENT BY MISS MURRAY. Miss Murray, superintendent of the Red Cross Depot in Auckland, whose report, together with that of Mr. Charles Rhodes, upon the internal condition of the hospital led to the setting up of the delegation, stated yesterday that her remarks at last week's meeting of the executive of the Red Cross Society and the Order of St. John had been entirely misunderstood by the Rotorua residents and the returned soldiers. Anyone who read carefully the Herald's Report of her remarks would stfe that she made no reference to the entertainment of the soldiers outside the hospital. . Everybody was aware of the kindness shown to the soldiers by the people of Rotorua, and also by visitors to the district, amongst whom Mrs. Cooper, a lady from the South, was conspicuous, and of the Invaluable work done by Miss Fenton. Her criticism had been directed to the lack of comfort, and of provision for their rest, recreation, and work at the King George Hospital itself. It had been represented, added Miss Murray, that she had snoken of the Salvation Army Institute at Rotorua as a hut. That was not so. On the contrary, she had said that the rooms of the Salvation Army and the Church of England wero a great boon to the soldiers, but had added that it should not be necessary for the men to go out of the hospital for the comfort that ought to be provided for them within _ its walls. AH that she desired at this stage was to correct the misunderstanding which had arisen at Rotorua through the misreoresentation of her remarks. In view of the intended visit of the delegation to investigate the position of affairs and report as to the actual conditions, she would reserve any further comment. EXTENSIONS AND IMPROVEMENTS. PROPOSALS OUTLINED. Particulars of the improvements and extensions in connection with the Rotorua military hospitals, either projected or in progress, have been made available. A building is to be erected close to the King Geo-ge V. Hospital by the Y.M.C.A. for recreative jpurposes. It is to have a large verandah 120 ft long and Bft wide. Therewill be a billiard-room 45ft by 25ft, to contain three tables; a classroom for bookkeeping and accountancy, 18ft by 15ft; a writing-room, 25ft by 20ft; and a readingroom and lounge 25ft by 25fb. The reading and writing rooms will be separated by. folding doors. A small stage is to be at ono end, and an 'ingle-nook" at the other. There will bo a darkroom for photographers, and general and secretary's offices. The cost is expected to be about £3000.

The work in hand at the King George V. Hospital is to provide accommodation for 500 men, and will greatly improve the institution, which is now overcrowded. The present wards u built for 60 men each, have each 85 men in them. Additions under construction, and expected to be completed next week, comprise three quarters for orderlies, to accommodate 82 orderlies and staff non-commissioned officers, the central building containing a large aittingroom j ' new officers' quarters, comprising sittlngroom and billiardroom, 34ft by loft, and other rooms, which are closely adjacent to the present officers' cubicles in the main building ; two hospital buildings, especially well built, each divided into three wards of 12 beds each, making 72 altogether, with a verandah running the wholo length of the building. These wards will bo for cot cases, one ward being set apart for severe cases. Kitchen, duty and linen rooms will be provided, while each ward will have a large open fireplace. It is intended to ereot a surgical hospital of 136 beds adjacent to the King George V. Hospital. This is to be built on four sides of a rectangle approximately 350 ft by 200 ft, with spaciouß stores so that the hospital will be self-contained in every respect. The contemplated bath building, which is to be within a stone's throw of the main to be largely increased. It will contain a large swimming bath, an electric and Aix bath, electrical treatment rooms and massage rooms with all necessary accessories. A drying room, with boot-racks for 120 pairs, and 160 hooks, capable of carrying 480 garments, is to be erected. It will be heated with slow combustion coke stoves.

It is proposed to call for tenders within the next week or two for workshops, costing between £3000 and £4000. The building, like the surgical hospital, will be on four sides of a rectangle, with verandahs inwards on two sunny sides for the men to work upon. On the south side will be a handicraft room 40ft by 26ft, supervised by Miss Gether, who is already at work In extemporised quarters; saddlers' and splint-makers' room, 17ft by 24ft j and plumbers', electricians', and fitters' room, 50ft by 24ft. On the west side will be rooms for bootmaker, tailor, barber, cigarette-maker, plaster-cast" maker, each 14ft by 12ft; and photographer, 22ft by 14ft. On the north side is to be accommodation for a blacksmith, 15ft by 12ft j and a painter, 14ft by lOJft, with small rooms for enamelling and acetylene welding. On the east will be carpenters'- and basketmakers rooms, stores and shop, 60ft by

A laundry is to be erected near the main bath buildings in the Government gardens. It will be four times the size of the present building, and will cope easily with all the military laundry work in Rotorua At present there is an arrangement anions the men of King Geor e « £ Hospital as to their washing being done, iut some men prefer to do it themselves.