HOSPITAL LEASE

Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21198, 22 August 1940, Page 2

HOSPITAL LEASE

PUKEROA RESERVE ROTORUA ARRANGEMENT CONTROL BY WAIKATO BOARD (By Telegraph.—Sperl4l to Tlmea) WELLINGTON, Wednesday Provision is made in Reserves and Other Lands Disposal Bill, which was introduced in the House of Representatives to-day. for the leasing of portion of the Pukeroa Reserve in Rotorua to the Waikato Hospital Board. There are about 28 acres in the area. During the Great War a military hospital was erected on the reserve, although the occupation of the land for hospital purpose was intended to be of a temporary nature. However, the buildings are now in use as a general hospital under the control of the Waikato Hospital Board. After full consultation with the board, the Rotorua Borough Council and the Ngati Whakaue, it has been decided that the greater portion of the reserve shall be leased to the board by the Crown in perpetuity, at a nominal rental, but subject to the condition that the lease shall be determined should the land cease to be required and used for hospital purposes. Sacred Places Excluded Within the boundaries of the area there are two places sacred to the Ngati Whakaue. These sacred places will be excluded from the lease to be issued to the Hospital Board. The area proposed to be leased includes a roadway running through the reserve. This roadway is not a legal street, and will be under the control of the board. The Government. however, is expressing to the board its desire that continued facilities be extended for the use of the roadway as a tourist road through the reserve, provided the convenience of the hospital and the comfort of the patients are not adversely affected thereby.