WAIKATO HOSPITAL

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22402, 24 April 1936, Page 18

WAIKATO HOSPITAL

INCREASED EXPENDITURE FUTURE BUILDING SCHEME [from our own correspondent] HAMILTON, Thursday The Waikatci Hospital Board's estimates for the year ended March 31, 1937, were passed by the board to-day, and it was decided to forward them to the Health Department for approval. They provide for an increase of £9679 in tho maintenance expenditure, and a considerable increase in local bodies' levies will be necessary. The estimated expenditure on maintenance was given as £89,175, and on capital items £7llO, which is £486 less than the amount spent on capital items last year. The chairman, Mr. J. J. Ityburn, said the board controlled the fourth largest hospital in the Dominion, and the largest district. The number of patients in the six hospitals controlled by the board was rapidly growing. The Jlotovua Hospital was a heavy additional burden, while the decision to increase salaries meant further expenditure. The board received the department's approval of a proposal to build new administrative offices in Marlborough Place at a cost of £10,300, and immediate steps are to be taken to proceed with the work. A report showing that the board's proposed capital expenditure for the next five years would total £219,750 was approved, and is to bo submitted to the Health Department. The items include administrative offices, £10,300; now ward block, £12,000; central block at the Waikato Hospital, £20,600; children's ward of 60 beds, £45,000; an infirmary building, £30,000; old people's home, £60,000; nurses' home at Matamata, £2450; nurses' home at Hamilton, £6700; domestic staff quarters at Hamilton, £6IOO. The opinion that the district representative, Mr,, J. Price, should hare been consulted before the board was approached was expressed by Mr. Ryburn when the Putaruru Chamber of Commerce submitted a suggestion, with plans, that tho board should take over a building at Putaruru and convert it into a cottage hospital. The chamber asked the board to meet a deputation on the matter. It was decided to return the plans and to advise the chamber to discuss the matter with Mr. Price before meeting tho board.