LATEST DEPELOPMENTS.

Colonist, Volume LVIII, Issue 14515, 19 September 1917, Page 1 (Supplement)

LATEST DEPELOPMENTS.

A FORWARD MOVE.

(From ."The Colonist," Sept. 6th.)

' Various matters in connection with tie new hospital were discussed at the meeting-of; the Nelson Hospital and Charitable Aid Board yesterday arising out of notice of motion by the chairman (Mr. T. Neale). The first part was to the effect that in order to deal with the. hospital situation, the Board consider the financial position in connection .with the now hospital building.

By consent.. consideration was deferred, and tho second portion of the notice of motion was proceeded with. This was to "consider a proposal to erect the new hospital in another position on tte present hospital grounds, and that any other matters in connection therewith be discussed."

Speaking to the motion, the chairman j referred to the difficulties in. erecting the new hospital on the site of the old one, and said that some of the members had suggested that the new building sl'ould be erected on the Mental Hospital grounds, but this was not found feasible. - The suggestion was then made., that.-the Mental Hospital Department might purchase the hospital grounds and buildings. Then tlesuggestion was ) made that another site altogethex,. : might be ofctaine<£ and the present.ho^pital^fee&aK^m^ord^neople's* home. * It: was1 now suggested tTiat tte doctor's residence should be removed, and the new hospital erected on -Ehe site, making the western wing of .the new "building a three storeyeo! one, using the ground floor at tire end as a maternity ward.' Personally'he was convinced that there were insurmountable difficulties in erecting the now hospital on the site of the present one. Tho new scheme obviated tlese difficulties. If erected at the suggested site, the contractor could proceed with the building without interfering with the old building, thus effecting a considerable saving of time and money, and the patients in tie hospital would not be interfered with. If the old building could be saved for an old people's home a saving of about £6000 to the Board would be effected, and another advant^ age .would be that the old people would be able to live in somi-liospital conditions, and they could, get nursing attention when required. Anotler advantage would be that both buildings would be lighted by electricity from the same plant. A proposal that had been received favourably by the Mental Hospital : Department, was that the Mental' Hospital fttould be - included in the lighting scheme, and it might he extended -to tho: J3oysV College: ? Regarding: the financial position, the Minuiterurgfed proceeding- with the erection; of tho hospital/with the iiicluajpn of the maternity ward. . "*r

Discussion was deferred until the proposed site had been inspected by members of the Board.

LETTER FRJOM CAWTHRON TRUSTEES.

A letter was received from the secretary of the Gawthron Trust, enclosing the following resohrlion passed at the last meeting <of ■ the Trustees :— ''That the Trustees are of opinion that, if the work of building a new hospital is not put in hand -with as fittlo delay as possible, they will feel it their duty to apply to the Hospital Board for a refund of the £15,000, together with all accumulated interest on the said amount."

The <:hairman, in moving tnat tho letter "be received, stated that the Trustees were- not any more anxious tiia^tJjo nu^b^tg^jc^tlle,,ftoarij: to -seg.; the'new hospital" ei*ect«S. ?-' As" fat ■&&] getting the &ift <• hack, the, Trustees could try till Doomsday, but they had no^case."whatever. The board had a binding promise jthat: the subsidy would be . forthcoming when Mr Cawthr i on. s& igift; epent, and thatv was' compliance* -with the ; terms; of the gift. aeGonded-the motion, which! was carried1 '

Mr "W. F. Worley, who claimed to have had t"he honour of inducing Mr Cawthron to make his munificent gift towards the cost of erecting a new hospital in this district, wrote to tjjio board, making certain suggestions in regard to the' safe keeping of official documents in connection withY the gift. The writer also urged fhat the new hospital should be made as efficient as science could make it, while at the same time rigid economy should be observed. The writer also urged that the building should be made earthquake proof.—Received.