MATERNITY HOSPITAL

Wairarapa Times-Age, 10 May 1944, Page 3

MATERNITY HOSPITAL

PROVISION FOR PAHIATUA COST OF £40,000 COUNTY COUNCIL DISCUSSION The Wairarapa Hospital Board advised the Masterton County Council yesterday that it was considered essential ot build a maternity hospital at Pahiatua and asked if the council objected to the raising of a loan of £40,000 to erect a 12 bed hospital and accommodation. Although members of the council considered the building cost high it was decided not to enter any objection to the loan proposal. Councillor H. H. Mawley. who is also chairman of the Wairarapa Hospital Board, said it was the board’s duty to provide a maternity service at Pahiatua. A new hospital had to be erected. He saw no way of getting out of the position. The price was enormous, as it worked out at £2 10s per square foot but that was the general rate now ruling throughout New Zealand. Councillor J. W. Colquhoun asked if the building would be very elaborate as the cost was so high. Councillor Mawley said there was nothing in the plans that was not necessary. Councillor P. R. Welch, who is also a member of the Hospital Board, endorsed Councillor Mawley’s views. Councillor J. Donald said the thing was getting too solid. The building was too big for the purpose. Councillor Mawley said the size of the hospital was based on birth statistics. No “high falutin”’ building was proposed. It would be a building of wood and rough cast. “Give us one shock at a time,” observed the chairman, Mr R. E. Gordon Lee. “The hospital board will not be giving us a double-barrel shock but a repeater,” said Councillor Colquhoun. Councillor Donald asked if the present maternity hospital in Pahiatua could be renovated. Councillor Mawley said it was out ol the question. It was a better proposition to rebuild next to the present hospital service at Pahiatua. It was decided to advise the Hospital Board that the council did not object to the loan proposal.