CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2744, 12 April 1916, Page 6

CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL

PROBLEM

LETTER FROM MR. HUGH J. WARD. Apropos of the desire of certain members of the Hospital Board to utilise the Children's 1 Hospital for other purposes, the following letter, received by the Rev. H. Van Staveren from Mr. Hugh J. Ward, managing director of J. C. Williamson, Ltd., who took such a prominent part in raising funds for the hospital, speaks for itself: "Surely the citizens of Wellington are not to betray the people who worked feverishly to complete the Children's Hospital some years ago—not only worked themselves, but gave money for the purpose. Li the minds of everyone who participated in that fine campaign is the thought that the building was'to be used for children only. There is a curious sense about this which will be deeply shocked if any change is > made in, the original intention. The citizens can, witli an effort; arrange a new scheme for the adults, and leave this beautiful thing alone. Nothing should mar the innocence of tho baby patients by the introduction of patients who are beyond the childhood stage. I don't know what the effect will be if they are mixed with the adults, but I only know that the perfume will bo gone and lovely ideals shattered, and to one who has this place at heart I sincerely hope the citizens will prevent any departure from the original intention, and keep the building exactly as it was orginally intended for —and that is for children." It should be explained in connection with this proposed use of the unoccupied upstairs wards in the Children's 'Hospital that at the first meeting at which the question of using those wards for ophthalmic patients was raised, the motion to do so was defeated by one vote. At the last meeting that decision was. reversed—again by one vote. Now the Rev. 11. Van Staveren has given notico of motion to rescind the last motion carried, which will come up for consideration at the next meeting of the board.