WORK FOR THE SOUTH CANTERBURY HOSPITAL BOARD.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXVII, Issue 19301, 30 September 1932, Page 6

WORK FOR THE SOUTH CANTERBURY HOSPITAL BOARD.

To the Editor ol “ The Timaru Herald.” Sir,—Some months ago work to the extent of several hundred pounds was put in hand hy the South Canterbury Hospital Board, at the Public Hospital, without competitive prices being obtained for same. As members of the allied building trades of Timaru, we interviewed the local member, Rev. Clyde Carr, M.P., who promptly communicated with the Minister of Health, to ask if this extensive amount of renovations and new work could be executed without obtaining competitive prices for same. A reply from the Minister Of Health nas been received by the Member for Timaru, as under: “With reference to previous correspondence regarding the South Canterbury Hospital Board entering into a contract for certain renovations to the Board’s Institutions without calling competitive tenders, I have now had the matter fully investigated. It was found that part of the work was capital expenditure for which the Board failed to obtain my consent as required by the Act, and has thus incurred unauthorised expenditure. In proceeding with the work without obtaining competitive tenders the Board acted within its powers but not in accordance with the established practice of local oodies in such cases, and its attention is being drawn to the fact that such procedure leaves a public body open to severe criticism.” This is signed by J. A. Young, Minister of Health.

Now, Mr Editor, could you through your valuable columns, explain how a matter of this moment was carried through in this manner, and what protection have the ratepayers of South Canterbury against a recurrence of similar incidents. —We are, etc., ALLIED TRADES. Timaru, September 29.