Hospital and Charitable Aid Board.

Oamaru Mail, Volume XXIX, Issue 8568, 24 August 1904, Page 4

Hospital and Charitable Aid Board.

A i-pcf.L'.i meeting of tiie above Board was iicid in tiie office this morning to consider the report of the sub-cominittec in reference io providing additional accommodation at tiie Benevolent Home. There \vprv> present : Messrs J. JI. Brown (chair), Wylie, sha-.v, Miliignn, Xicolson, Clark, Macpherson, Sutherland. and Borrie. Mr Forrester, architect. was also in attendance. The Cii.'t:r;i>,Tn stated tliat the Btiildirfg Committee met on Tuesday. August 2nd, and appointed .1 sub committee, consisting of Messrs .J. M. Brown, D. Sutherland, and It. MiHigan, to act with Mr Forrester, architect, and visit the Benevolent Home and report to .a future meeting on what alterations were wanted to improve the sleeping and other accommodation there. The sab-committee had visited the Home on the 13t!i in.st. The following letter ivas read from Mr Forrester: —"In accordance with your instructions I have made a plan showing the additions and alterations suggested by your sub-oommittee, and enclose same herewith. The -works provided for arc the two additions colored pink, which will be of stone, a. new bath-room for the female side, and various alterations inside, doing away with the present upper floor, bringing out the centre gable and using the space thus gained and that at present occupied by the master's rooms as a men's dining-room." The letter was accompanied by a plan, and Mr Forrester explained that at the west end of the present building it was proposed to erect a wing of three rooms, each containing six beds, and a corridor 6ft wide. Between the present building and the Victoria Home it was proposed to erect two rooms for the master and matron. The new west wing was to be' built in keeping with the Victoria Home. The_ plan was lianded round the table and discussed in an informal manner.

Mr Milligan said that as the sub-com-mittee had only just received the data there had been no time to properly consider it and draw up a detailed report. -If "they -were allowed to confer with the ; Benevolent Trustees, the Litter could guide them in reference to the minimum requirements of the Home, and they could then form a better idea of what was required. He did not think anything further could then be done, and it would oe better to let the matter stand over till a future meeting, when a detailed report could be presented for consideration. He moved: 'That the data supplied by Mr Forrester be referred to the sub-committee, with a view to a conference with the Benevolent Trustees, and a report being presented fo a subsequent meeting of the Board". Mr Xicolson seconded the motion, and in doing so remarked that the present plan gave too small a space for beds. Though 18 beds were to be provided for, it would only be an addition of four to the present accommodation 1 , as 14 of the beds now in •use would be done away with by the alterations. He thought there should be more sleeping accommodation provided for, and the sub-committee would do well to consider the point in making their report. Mr -Sutherland remarked that he understood. the -Home needed more ventilation and improved accommodation. Some further general discussion ensued, during which it was pointed out that by the plan submitted the accommodation at the Home would be greatly improved, particularly in reference to bedrooms, and tliatthough the total increase in the number of beds was only four, yet the accommodation provided generally would be a great improvement upon what at present obtained. It was conceded by all that the existing conditions of affairs would have to be altered. The motion was then put and carried unanimously, the Board agreeing to meet again the sub-committee's report was ready for consideration.