THE Hauraki Plains Gazette With which is incorporated THE OHINEMURI GAZETTE. Motto: Public Service. MONDAY, WEDNESDAY, & FRIDAY. MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 1925. BRICK HOSPITAL REQUIRED.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVI, Issue 4877, 14 September 1925, Page 2

THE Hauraki Plains Gazette With which is incorporated THE OHINEMURI GAZETTE. Motto: Public Service. MONDAY, WEDNESDAY, & FRIDAY. MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 1925. BRICK HOSPITAL REQUIRED.

At no period in the history of the world has the necessity of foresight on the light lines been more in evidence than to-day. In every quarter and avenue of life this fact is generally' acknowledged. Yet it is remarkable that the Thames Hospital board, the members of which are selected by the people, should recommend that the Paeroa Maternity Hosp’tal. having due regard for the purpose for which. it was designed, should be constructed in anything but the most enduring and suitable materials. The recommendation of the acceptance of a tender for a wooden building cannot be understood. A contractor who is cap'able by modern methods of building an hospital, in brick and concrete for the price submitted by the lowest tenderer should be encouraged, for there was very little difference between his price and the highest tended for a wooden building. Apart from such considerations wood is in many ways a dangerous as well as a perishable material. The present is the age of brick and concrete construction, the efficacy of which has been demonstra;ed by world-wide results, and there is no comparifson between the two methods. The outstanding features in favour of brick and concrete or other similar materials are their permanency, durability, fire-resisting and sanitary properties, and the comparative freedom from maintenance charges, which make for the ultimate saving effected on the building. Further, a brick structure is practically sound-proof, and provides greater privacy. The main features in favour of brick are probably those of permanency, durability, and fire resistance. The difference in insurance ratep is also a factor to be considered. A policy of £5OOO on a brick and concrete struc-

ture, based ,on a town area rating, would be approximaetly £8 6s Bd, while for a policy of similar: value on a wooden building the premium would be about £2O 12s 6d a year, the difference in favour of brick being £l2 5s lOd. Maintenance charges cover a wide field, and really include insurance ; but there are other recurring charges on a wooden construction, such as painting, shrinkage, and decay. which do not occur in a brick building. The solid construction of a brick and concrete building also has a ruggedness and grandeur that is unmssociated with wooden structures. The many beautiful examples in the way of public institutions in our larger centres speak well for the suitability of these materials. We would think that all! these facts—and many other points that could be advanced—would weigh heavily with our hospital board and influence it in advocating permanent materials. Considering that our hospital is to be a memorial, and that it is to receive chiefly maternity cases, is it not desirable that the mothers of bur future generation should be provided with the best possible facilities and re«eeive attention under the safest and most hygienic conditions ? Let us earnestly hope that the Health Department, in its wisdom, and in the interests of posterity, will insist on our. hospital being erected in permanent materials.