HEATING THE HOSPITAL

Observer, Volume XXIX, Issue 46, 31 July 1909, Page 3

HEATING THE HOSPITAL

Gas, Steam, or What ?

AMONGST the multiplicity of questions that are vexing the souls of the members of the Auckland Hospital and Charitable Aid Board at the present moment, in their anxiety to bring about an economy that is in every way desirable, is the necessity for keeping the consumption of gas within reasonable limits. That the consumption has for some time been heavy seems to be quite beyond question. The cold testimony of figures speaks for itself. It was recently stated, on the authority of the Chairman of the Board, that the gas bill for last year ran to the enormous sum of £755 per annum. And the only remedy that has so far been put in force is contained in a resolution adopted a fortnight ago that a separate meter be placed in each ward, in order to locate, at any rate, the portions of the building in which waste is permitted, and presumably to apply some measure of discipline to those who may be found to be responsible for it, as well as to check leakages.

The real source of the agitation appears to be that in recent years the Hospital authorities have staked everything that relates to the heating and lighting of the_ institution upon gas, and it is principally on account of the heating system that the heavy consumption has taken place. Originally, the whole of the wards were warmed and ventilated by means of open fire-places. In one of the spasms of desire far alteration that periodically overtake the Hospital Board, however, all the chimneys were rooted out two or three years ago, and a system of gas heaters was installed in their stead. And it is upon gas for heating purposes that the heavy annual bills are now being

incurred. On analysing the consumption the officials of the Gas Company have informed the Chairman of the Board that the mere lighting of the hospital should not cost more than £250 per annum. Therefore, it follows that the difference of £500 between this sum and the total expenditure upon gas goes for heating.

Possibly it may be found that between this outlay and the amount spent upon fuel "for the open fireplaces the difference is not so great as to be alarming. But the extent of the gas bills has so worked upon the nerves of a strong section of the Board that there is now a movement in favour of another drastic change of system. Open fires are gone, and could only be restored at very heavy expense. By the members in question the desirableness of resorting to steam pipes is seriously entertained. At this week's meeting of the Board, a report was received, presented by Messrs Coyle and Bagnall, to the effect that in the event of it being decided to heat the wards by means of steam it would be necessary to instal a boiler of sufficient dimensions in a central position to supply steam for all purposes required, the present one to be kept for emergency purpose. And that report was adopted.

The adoption- of a report containing a mere expression of opinion, without any definite recommendation, of course, commits the Board to nothing. What it does show is that the question of an alteration of the method of heating is in the air, and that before long we may hear of a proposal involving the hauling out of the gas-heating installation and the substitution of steam pipes. Bxit before any more experiments are attempted it is desirable that the Board should make up it 6 mind once and for all as to what method of heating is most suited to the Hospital. It ought not to be difficult, if a committee of architects were consulted, to obtain a definite decision in the matter. "When the cost of alteration is considered, it might be found preferable to adhere to the present gas method rather than fly to another, the suitableness and economy of which has to be proved. But certainly, in these times of financial stringency, no change should be made unless its advantages were shown to be very substantial indeed.

The country has in its prosperity been run on inflated Arbitration Court lines ; at least, the inflation has induced the Arbitration Court to gauge the capacity of employers to pay on the assumption that there could be nfc> halting in our rapid progress. — Oamaru "Times."

The Government has sown the wind and is now reaping the whirlwind, and before the harvest is fully gathered it will probably be found even more bitter and humiliating than it is to-day. — Invercargill " Times."

It is the fashion to laugh at the Native Minister in editorial offices, but nobody laughs at him in the House, and nobody laughs at him in those Parliamentary regions where the social amenities have free play — though many may here langh with him. In point of fact there is no other individual in the Legislature that is half so popular as Mr Carroll, or who deserves to be. — Te Aroha " Mail."

During Mr Seddon's regime true Liberalism vastly declined, and, since the passing of Mr Seddon, Liberalism has existed only in name. — Opotiki "Guardian."

The truth is that New Zealand farmers are going to Queensland because they cannot secure land /here. What Ministers should do is to provide that land — not to look for excuses to explain away the de^ parture of capital and population, but to stop them from departing. — Wellington "Dominion."