AUCKLAND HOSPITAL

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23224, 23 June 1937, Page 10

AUCKLAND HOSPITAL

PROPOSALS TO MODERNISE PLANS FOR REBUILDING FURTHER STAGE REACHED <Peb United Press Association) AUCKLAND, June 22. A further stage In the proposals to v modernise and rebuild the Auckland Hospital was reached to-night when the board approved of plans previously presented to the Select Committee by its architect, Mr John Farrell, and decided to send these, together with the report prepared by the Australian firm >of consulting architects, to the Health Department. After a discussion of more than two hours a unanimous decision was reached appealing for an approach to the cmestion with an open mind. The chairman Ithe Rev. W. C. Wood)

explained that many people were under a definite misunderstanding in regard , to the board's relations with the Australian architects, Messrs Stephenson Meldrum and Turner. Some believed they had been asked to design a hospital, but actually, as the records showed, the firm had been directed to report on the situation as they saw it Their findings had naturally been " placed in the hands of the board's own experts. y A full outline of the building pruposals was given by Mr R. Farrell. who explained that under the proposals his firm had prepared there would, with the preservation of the main block and the destruction of certain wards, be an addition of 230 beds to the present accommodation. Mr Farrell said that from his conversations with officers of the Health Department it appeared that they would have to be convinced beyond all shade of doubt that the main block must be demolished before they would sanction this move. They could see no reason why the present building could not be used for manv years to come. " I agree that all information should go to Wellington," affirmed Dr Hastings. "We have two good plans before us. and personally I do not feel capable of judging between them." It was pointed out by Mr Wood that the plans would be subject to revision by the Health Department, and it was possible when they were returned to

the board they would in detail be scarcely recognisable. 'Every single activity of the hospital was at present handicapped through lack of accommodation, and every inch of room provided by the proposals would be required. The resolution was carried unanimously.