THE NEW HOSPITAL BUILDING.

Taranaki Herald, Volume XXXVI, Issue 7963, 6 September 1887, Page 2

THE NEW HOSPITAL BUILDING.

Perhaps one of the more — if not the most — noticeable edifice in New Plymouth is

the new Hospital, at the west end, which will in the course of two or three weeks be out of the hands of the builder, Mr. G. Cliff. It is practically finished exteriorly, with the exception of a little painting, but interiorly it is not, as there is still some work (extra work) to be done inside that will take the contractor some three weeks over contract time, which expired last Thursday, September Ist. This extra work comprises some additional lining, gas fixings, and other minutiae. Though the structure has no particular architectural features about it, yet from its position on the eminence known as Standish Hill — from which a splendid view in all directions can be obtained — it cannot but help Btriking the eye of even a cursory observer. In shape the building, which is one-storied, is like the letter E; the front — from which five gables project — faces the north, or seawards, and is 196 feet in length. The edifice is built on a pnriri . pile foundation. The framework is cemposed of rima, and the flooring, lining, and rusticated boarding of matai. The roof is a corrugated iron one, and is adorned in the front by four chimneys, and at the back by only one — the kitchen chimney. At each end of the building there is a ventilator, which, at a distance, | would be mistaken for chimneys. The I projection at the east side contains the lavatories, bathrooms, offices, and ward cupboard for the female wards ; and the one at the west end contains like apartments for the male wards,

Of the five gables in front the two end ones are far larger than the three between them. The centre gable is the main entranca to the Hospital, and whioh when passed through brings one into the vertibule, and then into a hall 12 feet wide. Turning to the right from the hall one finds one's self in the surgeon's room, 14 x 13 feet, next in the operating theatre, 20 x 16 feet, and then in the dispensary, 13 x 12 ft, all three being conneoted, and each containing a fireplace. To the left of the hall are : firstly, the matron's parlour, 14 2 13 feefc; secondly, Bpare room, 20 xl 6 feet ; and thirdly, matron's bedroom, 12 x 13feot ; each having a fireplace, but only being accessible individually by doors from the main corridor, whioh is 139 feet long and 10 feet broad, and which narrows into passages at eaoh end when traversing the above-mentioned side projections. There are entrances at the end of eaoh of the passages, which are for the use of patients, so as to prevent the main entrance from being used wholly as a means of egress or ingress. Crossing the corridor and continuing down the main passage, which now is contracted to six feet, one passes the nurses' bedrooms — four in number, and each 12 z 12 — which are entered by doors from the oorridor. Continuing down the passage, by which one is simply traversing the centre part of the letter E, the more domestio portion of the institution is coma to, which, however, is somewhat isolated, as it .is only conneoted with the main structure by an isthmus 6 feet wide, and a door leads into the yard from each side of this conI necting link. Crossing this and proI eeeding down the passage farther, the kitchen, 24 x 16— which is fitted up with one of Scott's six-feet cooking ranges, and which is the only other room besides those mentioned which can boast of having a ohimney — is discovered oa the right. On the same side, and connected with the kitchen, are a storeroom (15 feet x 7f feet) and the scullery (15J teet xl 5 feet). On the opposite side oil the passage to the kitchen is the diningroom, 24 feet x 16 feet, and lower down two bedrooms — one 15 feet x 10 feet, the other 10 feet xlO feet; The end of the passage is now reached, and the very rear of the building is come to. A lean-to is to be erected at the extremity of this section of the building for the use of some of the hospital employees. Going back to the starting point, viz., in the corridor where it cuts the passage at right angles, which is exaotly the centre of the structure, it is found that the unexplored I region to the right is exclusively for males i and to the left for females.

Taking a coarse along the oorridor and entering the west end gable the male medical ward, 34 feet x 25 feet, which is only for the use of those patients requiring medical, not surgical, aid is found. In this room are six beds, bat it is capable of holding almost twice aB many, if needed ; it is lit by four windows, two on each side, and one large one in front. Half of the west end projection is connected with this ward by a passage, and in it is cupboard, bathrooms, offices, and lavatories for the use of the patients. Directly opposite this ward, on the other side of the corridor, is the male eu.gical ward, 57 feet by 25 feet, which contains twelve beds at present. It is lighted by ten windows, five on eaoh side, and the same minor apartments pertain to it as to the medical ward. The width of the connection bet-veen this end (the bottom of the letter E) and the centre section is 23 feet (the width of the oorridor and dispensary). Journeying now along the corridor to the east end, the other extreme gable is reached, wherein is the female medical ward — the exact counterpart of the male as regards number of beds, etc. On the opposite side of the corridor is the female surgical ward , a comparatively small one on account of the immunity of women from acoident, in not being so much engaged in out door work aB men. It is 26 feet by 25 feet, and contains four beds. It is lighted by three windows, and bos the same small rooms pertaining to it as the other wards.

The building is lined by upright boards, and is painted throughout v pale green, the ceilingß being painted white. Ventilation is obtained by meanß of the best and latest mediums, and light is admitted to the structure by windows,whioh number about seventy. Gas is to be used, and reservoir water also. Two hydrants are fixed in the corridor in case of fire, and hand pipes are at advantageous places outside the buildiug for the purpose of washing the structure by hoses. Hot water is laid on to the lavatories from the kitchen, and it was at first intended to heat the wards by means o£ a hot water apparatus, but, on the score of economy, this was struck out, but will be fixed at some future time. The refuse of tho place will be drained away to the gully at the back by pipes which lead into a cesspit, and pipes will lead from this to tanks 'which will be periodically carted away. The windows, doors, etc., were made by the New Plymoath Sash and Door Co., and they reflect great credit on this industry. As is well known, Mr. Sanderson is the architect, and, as usual, he has carried out his work in a most thorough and painstaking manner, nothing being omitted by him that would lead to an adverse criticism* Mr. G. Cliff is tho contractor, and for the few years he has been amongst us he has gained • high reputation for his work thai ill never leave him. He has carried om lib duties in connection with this building in « highly satisfactory manner. The plumbing — a very large item in the structure — has been, done by Mr. J. T. l avis, who has performed it with despatch tind good workmanship. To Mr. H. Hookei has been entrusted the brickwork, and he, like all concerned, has done his dut>> faithfully and well. Mr. O. Bellringer, whose work is not quite finished, hns done iho painting and glazing in a way that redounds to his credit. The building has been constructed with a Government grant of £3000, but a few additional hundreds have baea incurred

through extra work. £1000 is to be contributed by the local bodies for f u'rtnshing, thin being an agreement by which the grant was obtained from the Government. When the grounds are laid out, and everything got in ship-shape order, the inhabitants of the district will have an institution of whioh they ought to be proud. .