THE DUNEDIN HOSPITAL.

Otago Witness, Issue 1947, 18 June 1891, Page 32

THE DUNEDIN HOSPITAL.

DR MACGREGOR OPPOSES THE SITE

(Fhom Our Own Correspondent.) Wellington, June 13

A deputation of Duuediu city and suburban members waited on the Premier to-day with reference to the proposed extension of the Dunedin Hospital. Mr Cadman, as Minister in charge of the Hospitals and Charitable Aid department, and Dr Macgregor, inspector of hospitals, were present at the interview. The deputation consisted of Messrs D. Pinkerton, W. Hutchison (M.H.R's. for Dunedin city), and Mr Earnshaw (member for Peninsula). The deputation explained that their object was to obtain the sanction of the Government to a certain plan for the extension of the hospital, which had been prepared by a Dunedin architect for the hospital trustees. The proposal was to add a wing to the present building. There was a sum of about £2000 in hand towards the estimated cost of the work £10,000, and the deputation asked that a vote to the amount of the balance required should be placed on the Estimates. , The Inspector, on being referred to by the Premier, expressed an opinion generally adverse to the proposal. He contended the site was unsuitable and inconvenient to the public, and the arrangements were defective on the- score of light, ventilation, and otherwise.

After some discussion, the Premier said the Government would give the matter careful consideration, but in the face of the disapproval of the officer whose special duty it was to advise the Government on such matters, he could not hold out much hopa of the application being granted in its present shape. He strongly advised the deputation to have the plans brought into conformity with Dr Macgregor's view, in which case there would probably be no difficulty in making the desired arrangement.

It was suggested that the trustees might obtain power to exchange the present site for one more suitable, but in reply to this it was pointed out that none was available unless a portion of the Town Belt could be secured for the purpose, and that many of the inhabitants of Dunedin were earnestly opposed to any further alienation of the belt.

The Premier suggested that an effort should be made to procure the consent of the Dunedin citizens for the alienation of a piece of the Town Belt as sn hospital site upon satisfactory conditions as to exchange, &o. If this consent were obtained, the Government would introduce a bill to give effect to it, meanwhile Ministers would consider what could be done in the matter to meet the wishes ]of the Dunedin people. The deputation thanked the Premier and withdrew.