HOSPITAL FOR OPUNAKE.

Taranaki Daily News, 21 April 1921, Page 6

HOSPITAL FOR OPUNAKE.

BUILDING PROBLEM. FURTHER NEGOTIATIONS Further facts iu connection with the proposed cottage hospital a t Opunake were mentioned at the monthly meeting •f the Taranaki Hospital Board yesterday, and correspondence was read indicating that the question of havin’ the building work done by the Education Board’s staff, is being considered. At the request of the chairman (Mr M. Fraser) Mr. O’Brien reported on the result of the deputation to interview the 'Minister of Public Health at Wellington to further the proposal. He said they had been received as well as could be expected and were backed up by Dr. Valintine (Director-General) The . Minister assured them that the hospital would be in full working order within twelve months. Mr. O’Brien said there was the question of obtaining suitable tenders, but if the finance available was only sufficient to erect the hospital he believed the Opunake people would find the money to furnish the hospital.

On the motion of Mr. J. Young, it was decided that the two representatives (Messrs. Fraser and O’Brien) from the board be thanked for their work in connection with the deputation which proceeded to Wellington. As the result! of the deputation which waited upon the Minister the DirectorGeneral of Health wrote: “I should be glad if you would forward to me as soon as possible the plans and specifications of the proposed Opunake cottage hospital, in order that they may be submitted to the Public Works Department to see whether it would be possible for them to carry Out the work at a reasonable figure.

“In addition, copies of the plans and specifications should be submitted by you to the contractors who are at present carrying out work for the Education Department in New Plymouth, to see what their figures would be for doing the work.” t

The secretary to the board reported having communicated with the chairman of the Taranaki Education Board (Mr. P. J. White), and the following reply had been received: At the present time we have only one contractor doing work under the board and I understand this firm has already given you a price for the Opunake hospital. If it is intended that you secure an estimate for the work from our architect, this is a matter that would be necessary to lay before the board for discussion. Jf found possible, it would necessitate consultation with the Education Department as to the Basis upon which such work would be carried out, as under the regulations the board is not able to do private contracting. We also have at present more work on hand than the staff can conveniently attend to, and in any case it is problematical whether it would be satisfactory to carry out. the, plans of another, and different class of building to which our staff is accustomed, and presumably under the control of an outside architect. Further than that, it is doubtful if the saving effected by the specialised work of cur staff would be noticeable in another class of building calling for much different fittings and equipment to what our board has on hand.

A report was made that the plans had been forwarded as requested by the department.