THE NEW HOSPITAL.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXVIII, Issue 7948, 25 January 1906, Page 5

THE NEW HOSPITAL.

THE; QUESTION OF RAISING PUN Do. PRELIMINARY STEPS TAKEN. A meeting of those interested in ibe raising of funds towards tfae building of the new Masterton Hospital, ! ,was held in the Council .Cham bers, last evening. The Mayor presided, and there were about; 50 ladies and gentlemen present. Apologies for absence were received from a number of prominent citizens. The Mayor explained the reason why the meeting bad been called, and the circumstances that led up to the Hospital Trustees deciding to build an up-to-date hospital, at Lansdowne. The building, according to the plans that the Trustees had decided on, would cost £7OOO, but they weie short of funds, and he wanted those present tclook into the ways and means of obtaining money. Tbe Trustees had suggested that a floral fete and a garden party should be two of the functions held to raise money. Those present should form themselves into a committee, and from this committee, the executive and subcommittees could be appointed to carry out the work. It was necessary to appoint a treasurer and secretaries that evening. Mr A. W. Hogg, M.H.R., Chairman of the Hospital Trustees, explained the present financial position of the Trustees, and what money they had in hand for the building. The amount of money on fixed deoosit was £4,340, the profit realised frpm the sale of the Worksop road site was £2OO. The balance at present remaining from the salle of the present hospital site was £6BO, and these amounts, with the Government grant of £IOOO, would bring the whole amount available up to £6200. The building would cost £7OOO, but with the cost of fencing and laying out the grounds £IOO, laundry and outbuildings £250, architect's fees £4OO, roading £IOO,. gas fittings £IOO, septic tank £2OO, clerk of works £IOO, the whole amount to be expended on the building would be £8250. This would mean that they were short by £2030, but as the Government would give a 24s in the £ subsidy only a little over £BOO had to be collected. Mi Hogg then prooeeded to explain the plans of the building, and stated that all the money would be put into necessities, as there would be no ornaments. Before concluding, be would like to explain what had become of the money raised at the last floral fete, in Masterton. That fete had been promoted to raise funds for furnishing the new hospital, and until the hospital was ereoted, the money, amounting to £275, exclusive of the Government subsidy, could not be used. In the meantime it has been placed to a special account. Mr Hogg then moved, "that this meeting approves of the action of the Hospital Trustees, and pledges itself to do its best to. provide funds for completing tbe new institution." The Chairman seconded the motion, which was carried. On the motion of the Chairman, seconded by Mr A. Niool, it was decided that all those present form themselves into a committee, with power to add to the number. Mr J. C. .Boddingtou was appointed treasurer, and Mossrs A. Nicol and W. M. Easthope were appointed joint secretaries. The Rev. Dean McKenna and Mr A. E. Green spoke strongly in favour of one secretary, and one who could devote his whole time to tbe matter, and receive a fixed salary. The Mayor stated that the previous motion would have to be rescinded. Mr Greeu moved to rescind the previous resolution, but the motion was lost, and matters were allowed to remain as fixed. It was decided to hold the next meeting on Wednesday evening, in the Council Chambers, and the meeting then adjourned.