ORDER OUT OF CHAOS

New Zealand Times, Volume LIII, Issue 12619, 2 December 1926, Page 11

ORDER OUT OF CHAOS

WELLINGTON HOSPITAL TO-DAY’S STONE-LAYING CEREMONY HEAVY CAPITAL EXPENDITURE The grounds to the right of the main entrance to Wellington Hospital hate presented a somewhat chaotic appearance for the last year or so, for the builders have been busy getting in the foundations and some of the structural work of the new administrative blook arid genito-urinary department. The latter building is well advancedg and rapid progress is being made with the new administrative building, so that order is gradually coming; out of chaos. The old institution has long been taxed to its utmost capacity, and the war considerably delayed proposals to make alterations and additions, so that when the time did arrive to review the position from the point of view of capital expenditure, the hoard found itself faced with an expenditure running considerably /into six figures. BIG EXPENDITURE Alterations and additions which have been made in the last two years have involved a sum little short ol £IOO,OOO. The present contract, which is in the hands of the Fletcher Construction Company, was let for over £140,000, this work being commenced in April of last year. It was to be completed by May, 1027, but delays have been caused in the delivery of steel due to the coal strike, and the time of completion will take four to five months longer. Other commitments so far as the hospital itself is concerned amount to another £IOO,OOO, and the proposed alterations to the match factory to equip it for use as a kitchen, laundry, stores, powerhouse block, etc., will require a further £40,000, apart from equipment and furnishing. Taking all the works above mentioned into consideration the total capital will amount to something between £375,000 and £400,000. The equipment of the hospital has also been considerably modernised, especially in the X-ray and bacteriological departments, and the installation of the radium and accompanying plant was another important stride in the scientific progress of the great and humane Work being done .in the institution. THE NEW BUILDINGS. The front blook will contain the social welfare offices, ambulance rooms, receiving rooms, casualty ward, ward for children’s cases, etc., with rooms for nurses and doctors, dispensary, and lift to tipper floors, There will be a lecture hall and study room for nurses and accommodation for a portion of the resident medical staff, secretarial Offices, board room, nublio offices and rooms for the tnedical superintendent, matron and honorary medical staff. The top floor will comprise a dental clinic and room for staff accommodation. The second block is the genito-urin-ary building, which has been urgently needed, - There will-be three-main ■ wards and several small wards, outpatients’ department, etc. The equipment will be up-to-date in every respect, with steam heating ’ ahd~ sterilising plant, and electric lighting from the city supply. In the near future ''the hoard will have a standby power plant in the match-factory building, when that work Is carried out, so that in the event of a breakdown in the city or Mangahab sys- ' tem the work of the hospital Will ’ not be brought to a standstill. ; The architects are Messrs Crighton, ■ MeKay and Haughton, TO-DAY’S CEREMONY The foundation atone of the. new building is to be laid at 3 p.hs. today by the Minister for Health, Hon. J, A. Young, who will be introduced by the chairman of the Wellington Hospital Board, Mr 0. M. Luke. Dr. T. H. A. Valintine, Director-General of Health, the Mayor (Mr C. J. B. Norwood), end the chairman ot the honorary medical and surgical Staff, Dr. E. L. Matchant, will be amongst the principal speakers. THE SECRETARYSHIP There is to be a special meeting of the Hospital Board at 2 p.m. today, to consider the position of. secretary, in view of the. appointment of Mr J. Coyle to the secretaryship of Newcastle Hospital. Upon inquiry yesterday, up to the late afternoon Mr Coyle had not received the official confirmation of his appointment by mail, • but • expects it "will come to band not later than thifi morning.