FEAR OF FIRE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 22976, 2 March 1938, Page 10

FEAR OF FIRE

CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL WARD PRECAUTIONS BY BOARD The fear of fire occurring in the Princess Mary children's wards at the Auckland Hospital as the result of medical students smoking in a schoolroom which has been converted into a common room underneath the building was referred to the chairman of the Hospital Board, the Rev. W. C. Wood, .yesterday. It was claimed bv the mother of one of the patients that there was danger of an outbreak of fire which would leave the children little chance of escape. Mr. Wood said the board was faced with the difficulty of providing accommodation for 27 medical students who had tak«Si up their final work at the hospital, and the only possible common room was under the Princess Mary wards. The board was making provision for adequate fire escapes in the event of an emergency and every care was being taken, " We are fully aware that it is not the best place for a common room, but it is the only space that we have in the whole grounds which can be given to the students," Mr. Wood .added. "Any danger, however, is fully realised by the board and precautions have been taken. When the building scheme is completed the present problem will be solved."