RATEPAYERS PROTEST

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23362, 30 November 1937, Page 10

RATEPAYERS PROTEST

WELLINGTON HOSPITAL PLANS INDIGNATION MEETING HELD (Peb United Press Association) WELLINGTON, Nov. 29. An indignation meeting called b" the Wellington Ratepayers' Association to protest against the intention of the Wellington Hospital Board to raise a further loan of £ 159,250 for the purpose of carrying out the full rebuilding scheme was held to-night. The Chamber of Commerce Hall was packed. Members of the audience were perched on tables piled along the side of the room almost to the roof, and at the start of the meeting many were standing in the corridor, unable even to gain admission. The following resolutions were carried with only four dissentients:— "Having in view the paramount need of the patient and the most efficient manner in which to obtain that objective, this meeting of citizens feels justly indignant at the wantonly extravagant proposal to enlarge the Wellington Hospital by 300 beds at a cost of £750,000—-or approximately £2500 per bed —whereas a new and up-to-date hospital, thoroughly and fully equipped, could be built in the Hutt Valley at a cost of not more than £SOO per bed, and such a proposal, given effect to, would, be adequate for the next 10 years." "This meeting calls upon the Wellington City Council, as the main contributor and representing the ratepayers of Wellington, to appoint the Mayor and two members from its engineering staff, together with two independent architects and representatives of the contributing bodies, to investigate the possible cost of any needed improvements at the Wellington Hospital and report upon the proposal of the new hospital in Hutt Valley."