ALLEGED WRONGFUL EXPENDITURE.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LI, Issue 99, 15 April 1908, Page 4

ALLEGED WRONGFUL EXPENDITURE.

HOSPITAL SATIT.DAY" ft NDS.

At Ihe time of tie- n-ci-nl Hospital Saturday inovenii'ilt. there were null tered complaints again-l tin- llnspil.ihle and Charitable Aid Itoard, it being alleged that money previously raised by the board in thc*same uiauncr had I n applied in a manlier totally opposed to the promises of the Jioiird. On Monday this somewhat belated growl was heard at the Jlospital Boards table. The Board was discussing the plans submitted of an elaborate but permanent entrance gateway and entrance to the grounds. They presently secured a majority in favour of one plan, and I lie chairman asked for a motion to adopt thai design. Mr. AndreU-, created a surprise by a remark that lie would move thai inilliei design be accepted, lb- considered it waste of money lo pend lieamount named, and .Cl<> to Cil would siiilicc.

I'resse.t jo -jiu- lii.- ie.l-.01-. 1 lid that when tile lioai.l appeal-d lo the public lor Hinds the people n.'i iirall.v ha.l an idea thai the hoard was hard up. lie could n"l reconcile I li.it with the piopo.-al to spend a large amount, (uc are bound not to state the estimated u>-t) in elaborate gales.

-Mr. lirown said h's idea «;i> that til' 1 nconle gave this cash with the idea of beautifying Uil' hospital grounds or providing pleasures and comforts for the patients.

The Chairman said that ;it. the mtiotiug of ladies to inaugurate the llxjpital Saturday and Sunday movement they a-kcd him not to break faith with tin' people, lie was assured by thi'iu that under a previous Board money nad been collui-U'll for the spceilic |>ni'|nisi- of erecting ii consumptive annexe, buttle' money rai>cd was spent on I lie erection • if a nurses' homo and the oM uur-c-' home made into a con-umplivc annexe, liny represented to him that this had caused considerable comment and dissatisfaction. Jlc promised them that lliey would ho shown sometliing for their motley. There were liig hoard- in the grounds announcing " \' u thoroughfare.'' hut the gates were always standing open, and cattle strayed in and had to he dogged out again, trampling

through the gardens and shrubberies. He did not think the public contributions were intended to go into the general account. Mr. Andrews said he did not object lo the money being used, but they were going to spend too much on the gateway. Mr. McDonald referred to the present entrance a- a disgrace, and the grounds were worthy a lietter one. Eventually the Board decided lo proceed with the erection of approaches in brick, with iron gates and a lighted archway, ac dhi". to the design of Messrs. lvusscU & Son, | AN EXPLANATION. At a later stage the secretary made 'an explanation. The money was raised for toe annexe, ceriainiv. but n was left to the Hoard lo deeide where the building was to be. Tho Chief Health Olliecr and other prominent members of the Jleallh Department's stall' came up, and decided that the annexe must go upon the site of the nurses' home. The Hoard had. much against its will, been compelled to hand oyer the site and the building, and to erect a, new nurses' hiime. tint the puhlji|: .money Wit, -pent upon || H . work of remodelling and enlarging tin- nurses' home to suit il for the reception of consumptive patients.