THE ORTHOPAEDIC UNIT

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 263, 25 July 1918, Page 8

THE ORTHOPAEDIC UNIT

PKOPOSALS FOR HOUSING IT. By Telegraph-Press Association. Christchurch, July 21. AI. a meeting of the fJhristchiircli Hnspitnl !>.ntl Chnritabjo Ajtl Board to-day the report of (he special noinmit.teo appointed to consider del ails of the proposals nmdc by C'olnnnl Valintine in rcwrd to the establishment, of tl>e orthopaedic unit at Chmfchurch ITospitaKwns presented. 'Hie following telegrimi was received from Sir James Allen: "Tn r«j?ard to the orthopaedic. urTt and its housing in Chalmers Ward, I am ijuite in accord with the proposal to use thn 'Chalmers Ward'for sick ajifl wounded soldiers. Ify Department thinks it unnecessary, hmrCTer, , to build other wards, and now proposes to make provision for a gymnasium, olcctro-thnraiieutic and balneological rooms in the corridor adjoining: our massage room, at a cost oi', say, ilflfld; also a hot workshop, costing, say, .£300; also .■CIOO for th" rcatintonnation of rooms in tlip old residential win?, together with •MOO for hoiisiiic; oj , t.ho medical officer, this beiiifr an extension of the present junior resid?n) ofHcers , nuartors, making a total of SAM. These proposals are. subject (r> j-onv bonrdV apnroval. 1 lmve consulted the Jlinister of Public Health, mid hp coTicurs, on the understanding that the Defence Depnrlment indicates liow long the Chnl.nicrs Ward may be ireciuired, and the Defence Department"pays the rent of « building to house those civilians for whom nccninmodntion cannot bo found. I have informed tho Minister of Public Henlth that .the Chiilmurs Wnrd may bo required for three years after the war, and that the Defence Deiwrtmenl; would pay the rent of the buildin?."

Tli™ iwv proposals were criticised adversely by several members. It wns, howover, finally decided to leave the whole matter in nb*vnnee, in the hands of a special committee.