FULL-TIME ARCHITECT

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 87, Issue 65, 19 March 1943, Page 4

FULL-TIME ARCHITECT

HOSPITAL BOARD’S VIEW On the motion of Mr. T. C. Kincaid (Taihape), seconded by Mr. A. S. Coleman (Marton), the Wanganui Hospital Board, at its monthly meeting yesterday, decided to set up a special sub-committee to consider the advisability of appointing a full-time architect to the board’s staff. The committee, which will consist of the chairman, Mr. W. E. Broderick (Maxwell), and Messrs. Kincaid and R. G. Taiboys (Wanganui), and the Hon. W. J. Rogers (Wanganui), will report to the board at some future date.

Mr. Kincaid said the board spent more money on architect’s fees last year, and with the building pio~ gramme to be faced he visualised even higher expenditure in the future. He believed that if the board had a full-time architect it may get better service. Such an architect would be in the position to devote the whole of his time to the board’s service, but the question was one which could be investigated by a speical committee.

“If the Government took over the capital expenditure of the hospital, would we still require an architect?” asked Mr. Coleman.

The chairman: I would say definitely that we would require an architect.

Mr. Coleman: It would make a difference because the Health Department would have Its own architect. Mr. Taiboys: He would have to be stationed here permanently. Mr. Rogers contended that if an architect were appointed to the board’s staff ho would require accommodation and possibly a draughtsman. Mr. Rogers doubted, when all these circumstances were taken into consideration, whether the saving in costs would amount to very much. He agreed, however, that the question should be dealt with by a committee. Mr. Taiboys si*d an architect had to face overhead expenses and office maintenance costs. He did not receive all the fees charged. “I would like to see this matter dealt with by a committee.” Mr. Taiboys added. Mr. D. G. Gordon (Taihape): If the Government is going to do the work it will nut a different complexion on the matter.

The chairman intimated that there was no need for the report to be prepared by the next meeting.