Hospital To Close While Shells Moved

Chronicle (Levin), 12 February 1949, Page 6

Hospital To Close While Shells Moved

Press Associatlon)

(Per

' AUCKLAND, Feb. 11. As a precaution during the removal from a nearby Army magazine of a quantity of six pouuder ammUnition, some of which may have deteriorated, the Narrow Neek Obstetric Hospital will be closed for the whole of next mouth. Arrangements to accommod'ate the mothers, babies and staff for the inost part at tne Cormvall Hospitar. have been niade by the Auckland Hospital Board and individuai letters tu prospective patients 'expecting to enter hospital during March or early Aprii, will be sent this weelc-end. The removal of the ammunition will be undertaken by the Army, under the supervision of a specialist officer. it will be taken direct from the magazine to the beach and from there will go by barge to Motutapu where ,each round will be destroyed singly. The possibility of deterioration in the ammunition is understood to have been recognised recentiy on receipt of m- . formation from England of the experience there and the decision to remove and destrov the rounds held at Narrow Neck, has been made purely as a precaution.

In a letter being sent by the matron, Miss 1. M. Foster, to about 50 expectant mothers resident on North Shoro, the position is explJuned in detail. The letters say that the Army has advised the Board of the necessity to move and destroy defective ammunition in the magazine very nqar the hospital. As » precaution it is essential that the hos pital should be evacuated while this is doue and therefore the hospital is bein; closed for the whole of March.