BIG HOSPITAL LOAN

Te Awamutu Courier, Volume 64, Issue 4536, 13 February 1942, Page 4

BIG HOSPITAL LOAN

WAIKATO BOARD’S PROPOSALS BUILDINGS AND EQUIPMENT APPROVAL OF DEPARTMENT At a meeting of the Waikato Hospital Board at Hamilton, the DirectorGeneral of Health forwarded the Minister’s approval to a building scheme involving the expenditure of the sum of £370,000. Summarised, the work proposed be undertaken at the estimated cost,' was stated as follows : New Infirmary, Waikato Hos- £ pital (Hockin Ward) 79,600 New Hospital for Rotorua 106,000 Boilers for Waikato and Rotorua Hospitals 20,086 Store and kitchen additions, Waikato Hospital 13,250 Hospital, Taupo 7,960 Additions to Nurses’ Home, Waikato Hospital 70,600 New Nurses’ Home, Rotorua Hospital 64,750 Contingencies 7,754 Total £370,000 The Chairman (Mr F. Findlay) moved that in accordance with the regulations of the Local Government Loans Board, the Board give five weeks’ notice to all contributing local bodies, 24 in number, of its intention to apply to the Loans Board for sanction to borrow the £370,000; any objections to the proposal to be lodged with the Board in writing not later than the day preceding the Board meeting on April 9 next. PREFERENCE FOR HOSPITALS The Chairman added that he had been officially advised when in Wellington lately that the building work contemplated by the Board would not be stopped, as in accordance with the policy of the Government permits would be issued by the Building Controller for defence and hospital works. Hospitals, he added, were high on the preference list for essential works, and the issue of permits by the Building Controller depended upon the recommendations of the Health Department. He had been assured there would be no difficulty in this respect. The chairman said it was at first contemplated that a total of £350,000 would be sufficient, but on closer examination of the situation it was deemed advisable to raise the total to £370,000. The first works to be dealt with would be the Hockin Ward at the Waikato Hospital and the new hospital at Rotorua. It was apparent that many people were not satisfied with the way the money for hospital needs was obtained, but he thought none of the contributing local bodies would try to stop the building programme. “It is our bounden duty L ” said Mr Findlay, “to see that those who come back from the war are provided for.” Mr A. Blackman (Te Kuiti) said it would be desirable for members to defer comment until the scheme was further ■ advanced. Mr J. Price (Matamata) suggested that when the project was being placed before local bodies the fullest possible details should be given as to the number of beds to be provided, etc., and also some indication as to the increase in the levy upon each local body. Mr V. W. Sims (Otorohanga) remarked that there would certainly be comment and criticism from some of the local bodies. THE ANNUAL COST The chairman said the interest and sinking fund charges on the loan would be something over £12,500, of which the Board would pay half, and the Government’s £ for £ subsidy would provide the remainder. The charges, on the loan would be met from the revenues of the Board. It was proposed to borrow the money from the Government Life Insurance Department, in separate loans for each job or jobs as approved by the Loans Board, subject to progress payments for any loan being spread over six months, the whole advance of £370,000 to be uplifted not later than December 31, 1943. The motion was then put and carried.