PROJECTED WORKS

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 8, Issue 50, 20 February 1945, Page 5

PROJECTED WORKS

HEALTH DEPARTMENT'S ENQUIRIES

NONE FOR WHAKATANE

Owing to the fact that it is already engaged in the process of a rebuilding programme the Whakatane Hospital Board decided to reply to the Health Department's enquiry that it had no projected fresh undertakings for the next 12 months apart from those already engaged upon. The chairman, explaining the letter said it was a routine enquiry asking if the Board was- prepared to pledge itself to capital works. He considered that the programme in hand for the years 1945-46 left them fully occupied. It was a Do-minion-wide census to enable the Health Department to see what it might be expected to face up to by way of subsidies.

Mr McCready promptly moved that the board refuse to sanction any further capital expenditure. It had been stung hard enough already in its present scheme. He instanced New Plymouth where a ferroconcrete nurses' home was being. constructed for approximately £500 per head per whereas in Whakatane the. proposed figure had been £1000 per head. This was where the ratepayers were being duped. It was a rackety and it was time the board pulled up its socks; and saw that it didn't go any further.

The board decided to reply in the terms of the chairman's, assurance that nothing further would be needed.