CHEST HOSPITAL

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22818, 27 August 1937, Page 13

CHEST HOSPITAL

SELECTING A SITE MOUNT WELLINGTON AREA PLANS SENT TO MINISTER NO DECISION BY THE BOARD Plans showing the contour, drainage and other natural features of a site at Mount Wellington, Avhich is considercd by tho Health Department to be a suitable location for the proposed Auckland sanatorium, have been forwarded to tho Minister of Health, the Hon. P. Eraser, to assist him in forming his judgment. This fact ivas stated by the chairman of the Hospital Board, tlio Rev. W. C. Wood, yesterday, when he outlined tlio progress that had been made toward d#termining a site. Some confusion had arisen over tho question, Mr. AVood explained, probably on account of an apparent contradiction of terms. In the first place a committee of the Hospital Board had investigated a number of sites and, from these, several were chosen to show the Director-General of Health, Dr. M. H. Watt, when he visited Auckland. Dr. Watt's Opinion However, Dr. Watt was not prepared to recommend any of these areas for the Minister's favourable consideration and, accompanied by tho committee, he examined another two possible sites. One of these, at Mount Wellington, Dr. Watt said he Avas prepared to recommend to the Ministen provided certain surveys were carried out to ensure that a sufficient area for building was available. Mr. Wood explained that the suggestion that tho board had not yet mado up its mind arose out of tho fact that, although the location was favoured by tho department, the board had not had this particular site before it for consideration. Not Yet Considered by Board "The Mount Wellington area was recently inspected by members of the board, but as yet there has been no opportunity to giA - e the question consideration," Mr. Wood continued. The board's eventual decision Avould be conveyed to tlio Minister, who at pre,sent had nothing before him other than whatever Dr. Watt might have been pleased to tell him. HoAvever, tho plans of the contour, drainage and other natural features of the site had been forwarded to him. When a site has been selected the board will bo called upon to embark upon a fairly extensive building scheme, as the sanatorium is expected to provide accommodation for not fewer than 150 patients. Modelled on the lines of the Cashmere Sanatorium at Christchurch, the institution will be designed to provide treatment for all classes of chest cases.