A MINISTER'S ADVICE.
.TURNED DOWN. A HOSPITAL BOARD EPISODE. A plea for competitive designs in con'.ection with the projected new hospital at New Plymouth was contained in a' communication to .hand at yesterday's meeting of the Taranaki Hospital Board from the late Minister for Hospitals (the Hon. G. W. Russell), and it met with very short shrift, The Minister stated that he had been waited upon by the New Zealand Society of Architects, which body desired that, so far as possible, tenders for the building of new hospital buildings of a value of £SOOO should be thrown open to public competition. In forwarding the request for the favorable consideration of the Board, the Minister pointed out that, if it met with its approval, it should forward certain particulars as to the design and cost of the buildings. Members were almost unanimous in condemning the Minister's action, considering he had gone beyond his province.
Mr. Maxwell said that it was a most improper position for any Minister of the Crown to place himself in. The chairman (Mr. Bellringer) said he was up against touting in any shape or form,, especially by a Minister of the Crown. He did not know whether it was in keeping with the late Minister for Hospitals, but he (the speaker) was certain that the suggestion involvod an altogether wrong principle. Under the circumstances, he had simply passed the communication over to the secretary of the Board. He did not think any further action was necessary.
MY. Maxwell thought it was just a question whether the Board should not point out that it was a most improper attitude for a Minister of the Crown to take up. According to another member, if the request were acceded to, they would have the Minister advising them on the appointment of nurses.
Mr. J. Brown pointed out that the Minister probably thought that as his Department contributed towards the cost of the building it should have a "say" in matters.
The Department, rejoined another member, already had a pretty big "say" in hospital administration, and the Board then passed on to other business.
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Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 51, 18 July 1912, Page 6
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353A MINISTER'S ADVICE. Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 51, 18 July 1912, Page 6
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