HOSPITAL FOR PAEROA.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 20024, 14 August 1928, Page 10

HOSPITAL FOR PAEROA.

DEPARTMENT TAKES ACTION. THAMES BOARD'S ATTITUDE. " NO COMMENT ON THE PLANS." |JjY TELEGRAPH. —OWN CORRESPONDENT.] THAMES, Monday Tho Thames Hospital Board decided this afternoon that it had "no comment to make on tho plans and specifications submitted to Dr. T. 11. A. Valintine. Director-General of Health," in connection with the erection of a maternity hospital at Paeroa. In view of the board's opposition to tho project, the Health Department has expressed its intention to build the hospital and charge tho cost to the board. . Tho matter was introduced at this afternoon's meeting of the board by a letter from Dr. Valintine forwarding the consent of the Minister of Health to the erection of the hospital, together with plans and specifications, the estimated cost being £6OOO. "The Public Works Department," wrote the Director-General, "has been asked to immediately call tenders for this work, and the Order-in-Council is being sent forward for signature authorising the work to be undertaken at the board's expense. Avoiding Unpleasantness. "As the progress payments become due I trust your board will honour the Public Works Department certificate for the sum and thus prevent the unpleasantness of further steps having to be taken to recover tho amount from your board. I shall bo glad to hear that your board has agreed to meet these progress payments as they become due." Mr. Danby (Thames), who presided in the absence of Mr. W. E. Hale, moved that: "It being the considered judgment of the Thames Hospital Board that the present is not an opportune time to proceed with the building of a hospital at Paeroa, the board has no comment to make on the plans and specifications submitted by the Director-General of Health and respectfully returns same." Mr. Danby said the Health Department must accept total responsibility for tho work. If the Director-General made application to the board for progress payments from the trust moneys held by the board for that particular purpose, he could not but see that the board would be required to meet the demands of the department up to the total sum of money held in trust.

Mr. Parfitt (Hauraki): What is the amount held in trust ? The Clerk: £7BOO. Paeroa Member's Views. Mr. Kennedy (Waikino) asked for a definition of the position in regard to the balance of £IBOO. He failed to see how the board could throw out such a cheaplyplanned hospital scheme Mr. Danby: Ido not submit any opinion as to the right of the Government to build the hospital. The Minister of Health has said: "If you will not build it, I will build it." When he makes a demand for the money and provides a receipt for its payment the board then has no further power. Mr. Brenan (Paeroa) contended that the resolution was against the interest of the board. It would prevent the board having any say as to the typo of building proposed. Mr. Hall (Thames): It has been decided to allow the Government to build the hospital. Why not let them finish it ? Mr. Brenan: Is it necessaiy to return the plans ? There are a number of people at Paeroa who would like to see them. Mr. Danby: lam not prepared to assume any responsibility for this project. As an act of courtesy, however, I shall delete that part of my resolution. Mr. Danby accordingly deleted the words, "and respectfully return same," from his resolution, which was carried. Messrs. Brenan, Robinson and Kennedy asking their votes to be recorded against the resolution.