OPUNAKE HOSPITAL.
A NEW BUILDING PROPOSAL. FINANCES LIMITED. In connection with the deputation from the Taranaki Hospital Board, which waited on the Minister of Health (the Hon. C. J. Parr) at Wellington on Tuesday regarding the proposal to erect a hospital at Opunake, further information is now to hand. The difficulties which have been hindering the commencement of the hospital are mainly financial, and were fully reviewed before the Minister. The original estimate of the cdst of the work obtained by the board indicated that the building could be erected for approximately £2BOO, and provision to this extent was made in considering finance. When tenders wer x e called, however, the lowest figure putf in was £4BOO, leaving a difference of £2OOO, and the board did not feel disposed to accept a tender for such a high figure. A further factor was that the department had indicated that a subsidy would not be paid on the additional amount. When the board considered the matter again at the February meeting it was stated that one contractor had been asked to give an estimate of the cost and he put it down at £5BOO, on a ten per cent basis. It was at this meeting that the board accepted a recommendation from a sub-committee in favor of sending a deputation, consisting of Messrs. M. Fraser (chairman) and M. O’Brien to interview the Minister.
In his reply on Tuesday it is understood that the Minister expressed entire sympathy with the proposal to erect a hospital and said he recognised that the plans fulfilled the minimum requirements of the district. He considered it would still be necessary for serious cases to be sent to New Plymouth, but he appreciated the necessity for a hospital at Opunake on the lines proposed. He could not promise to increase the subsidy owing to the financial stringency, and also in view of the high cost of building materials, and he stated that he was not prepared to authorise expenditure on the works exceeding £3OOO.
During the interview with the Minister, new means were suggested of having the hospital erected. Appreciation was expressed of the good work carried out by the Education Board, under their own architect and staff, and the deputation asked the Minister if he would be prepared to allow the Hospital Board to use the Education Board’s building staff to eraet the hospital. Mr. Parr stated that he would be pleased to put the request before tha Taranaki Education Board. He added that he would be able to go into the matter further when visiting New Plymouth in four or five weeks’ time.
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Taranaki Daily News, 24 March 1921, Page 5
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437OPUNAKE HOSPITAL. Taranaki Daily News, 24 March 1921, Page 5
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