NEW NURSES' HOME.

Taranaki Daily News, 19 August 1920, Page 4

NEW NURSES' HOME.

THE DELAY IN THE WORK. "AN ABSOLUTE SCANDAL." \ "This matter is becoming an absolute scandal," said Mr. Al. I'laaer at the meeting of the Taranaki Hospital Board yesteraay, when alluding to the delay in completing the new. nurses' home. Mr. I'raser went on to say that the building should have been finished in March last. The Board was paying a man £a per week to watch its interests, and still the delay continued. People tvho were supposed to be in the know liad informed him (Mr. I'raser) that the building would not be completed before next Christmas twelve months. The cry was always put up that it was a ishortage of material that was causing 'the trouble. At the same time the contractors had other big jobs on hand, and it appeared to him that the Board was suffering in consequence. ; Mr. Gilinour said he knew something of the building trade, and how difficult it was to obtain building material, and he sympathised with the contractors to a certain extent. At the same time he thought the delay waa becoming intolerable, and proposed that the architect be interviewed and asked to explain to the Board the causes of the delay. - Mr. Eraser said it was all very well to talk about the shortage of supplies, but lie felt that the Board was Demg imposed upon, and it was now getting beyond all reason. Mr. G. Young said he considered the Board had the position in their own hands; they could surely impose the penalty clause. There had been nothing but consideration shown to the contractors ever since he had been a member of the Board.

Mr. Griffiths, of Messrs Messenger and Griffiths, architects to the Board, said lie believed the contractors were doing r.heir very best to push on the work. The high cost of supplies and the great difficulty in obtaining them was causing considerable delay. Another great trouble was obtaining skilled labor, and most of the work now being carried out at the home required that class of men. The clerk of works was certainly carrying out his work. The architect added that the contractors were more anxious than anyone else to complete the contract, and their losses through delay were heavier than the Board's. The greatest difficulty was the lack ,of skilled tradesmen.