USE OF EMPTY WARDS

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2750, 19 April 1916, Page 3

USE OF EMPTY WARDS

IS THE CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL,

_The resolution of-the Hospital Board (by a bare majority) to' seize part of ] the. Children's Hospital for ophthalmic adult cases is meeting opposition from a strong resister—the Attorney-General (the Hon. A. L. Herdmah). _At the boards last meeting the Rev. H. Vail St-avcren gave nbijice to movo to rescind the following resolution adopted by the Wellington Hospital Board at its meeting held on March 23:— ."That .the hoard reconsider its decision with regard to. utilising the upper'story (at present unused) of the Children's Hospital, and that ■• it N b'e immediately htted.up as temporary wards " ,- .-, Interviewed in /reference to the present,position of -this", question; the llev. H. Van Staveron stated that he did not know—now that a deputation from, the hoard nad waited on the At'torney-Gen-.eral, Hon. A. 1. Herdman—that it ™»M necessary to move the motion. * Ihe deputation received very little encouragement from : the Minister, but rather the reverse," added 'Mr. Van btaveren. "I may say that I explained the posmon to Mr. Herdman; As At-torney-G-sneral, it is his duty to see .that all- public moneys subscribed for a particular purpose'shall be used for that purpose. On Thursday last the Attorney-General sent a note to the Hospital Board, asking for information as to ])ow ■ tho money was raised and how it was applied. It was then resolved, on the motion of the chairman, that a small deputation should wait on the Minister and place the matter bcfoije" hini from\ their point of view, whicV they did. Mr. Herdman informed them that the best thing they could So was to consult their solicitors, because if the matter went further he would have to appear against them. That, ho said, was the best advice he could tender to them under the circumstances." It is understood that it is .not intended now to proceed with the motion of which notice has been given but a motion will be introduced providing that the construction of an ophthalmic ward should be ■at once taken in hand, and that tenders should be called ,to erect it forthwith over Ward_No. 4. There is urgent necessity,- it is stated, for quick progress with this work.