WOUNDED SOLDIERS' HOSPITAL

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2544, 19 August 1915, Page 6

WOUNDED SOLDIERS' HOSPITAL

SITE APPROVED. As the outcome of the conference be» tween tlie Wellington Hospital and Charitable Aid Beard and the Minister of Public Health (Hon. G. W. Russell) plans are being prepared by Mr. F. de J. Clere for a. now hospital building for, wounded soldiers, to bo erected on tho northern sido of tho Victoria Homo for Chronic Invalids.- There is at present a long covorcd-in way or annexe extend* ing between tho Victoria Homo and one of tho Seddon shelters across the ground, which will have to be removed. The ground available is a block measure ing 66ft. by SOft., an elevated pk-teauj but perfectly level and at present utilised as a lawn. That means that there will be iio excavations necessary in pre> paring the site, and that owing to its proximity to tho Victoria Homo tha kitchen arrangements of that institiw tion will bo used for the new hospital* Tlie chairman of the Hospital Board (Mr. H. Baldwin) states that the orig-> inal plan of building over Ward 4 of the General Hospital (though desirable for General Hospital purposes) voultj have caused a i;ood deal of inconvenience, as it would have meant the closing up of Ward 4 altogether for five or Bill months, and it would have been liecesii sary to provide for tho patients at pr&ii sent accommodated thero until the new' building was completed. \lt has not yet been decided of what material the new hospital building will be construct-. Ed, but the preference of the Wrd is for asbestos, with interior wails of sheet plaster, which gives- a rlean, smooth' finish. Those arrangements were considered by tho architect in consultation with the medical superintendent (Dr. Barclay) and the Public Health Department, which has to approve the plans. The sketch plans mav be laid before the full board at this afternoon'} meeting. v