HOSPITAL BOARD

New Zealand Times, Volume LIII, Issue 12614, 26 November 1926, Page 11

HOSPITAL BOARD

ELECTRICAL TENDERS INQUIRY TO BE HELD cost of unemployed work Mr C. M. Luke presided at the meeting of the Wellington Hospital Board yesterday. Mr C. H. Chapman moved: —“That in the opinion of this board particulars be furnished, with regard to the various tenders for electrical installation which was given to Messrs R. Y. Walls and Co. by the architects, although his tender was not the lowest received.” A letter was received from the architects stating that Mr Wells was not invited to tender, but when . the forms were out Mr Wells obtained one and put in a tender, which proved to be informal, and the tender of Messrs R. Y. Walls and Co. was accepted. The tenders were read, that of W. Wells being £2897 and extras, and R. Y. Walls and Co. £3lOl and extras. Mr Chapman said he had brought the matter up at the board meeting as it appeared as if obstacles were being placed in the way of his obtaining the information. There was £2OO difference in Mr Wells’ tender, and it was alleged that the tender was informal. There was a matter of principle involved. Tenders should be available to members of the board, and when accepted should be made public. He hoped an inquiry would be made into the matter to see if the tender was actually informal, and it not informal the architects should be further called upon to explain why the board should be called upon to pay £2OO more for the installation than was necessary. He moved that an inquiry be held and that Mr \N ells and tho architect be present. Mr Fraser seconded the motion, which was carried, and the inquiry will be held by the same committee which had been dealing with the matter, Messrs Luke, McCurdy and Chapman. MONTH’S FIGURES Tlie medical superintendent reported that the patients admitted, during October number 568, against 497 for the corresponding month last year. There had been 573 patients discharged during the month, against 381 There had been 289 operations, an increase of 54. The outpatients attendances numbered 1847, an increase of 123. „ , , The gas account for September was £154 13s lOd (£l3O 3s 6d): water £72 (£68); electric light £6/ los (£< 1 6s 3d); heating and power £4l 5s 7d (£39 16s lOd). The figures in parentheses are for September, 1920. Patients’ fees collected during the seven months, April-October, amounted to £8750, against the estimated sum of £6750, and £8250 for the same period last year. UNEMPLOYED WORK A letter from the City Council stated that with reference to the arrangement made between the board and the council regarding payment for work performed under the unemployed scheme by “B” class men, the men were employed on the levelling oT sand hills at Lyall Bay. The work had. been completed at a cost ot £1095, and the council asked for a cheque for half the amount. Mr McCurdy said they had nothing to show that the work was of that The matter was referred to the finance and policy committee to ascertain the value of the work done.