PROPOSED WORKS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 21 June 1939, Page 6

PROPOSED WORKS

AT MASTERTON HOSPITAL ORIGINAL ESTIMATES EXCEEDED. WARD IMPROVEMENT DISCUSSED. Certain works which had been approved by the Wairarapa Hospital Board, and for which all authorities had been obtained are now found to call for expenditure in excess of the amounts provided for in the capital estimates. In the estimates, £l,lOO was provided for alterations to Ward 7 annexe. The architect has advised that the cost of this work will now be in the vicinity of £3,000. The sum of £750 is provided for a new road entrance at the Masterton Hospital, but it is not anticipated that this amount will be fully expended during the financial year. The other works proposed, with the total cost of the work and the amount provided in the estimates shown in parentheses, are as follow: — Masterton Dispensary £BOO (£800) Nurses' quarters .. .. £1,078 (£1.120) Cottage, Eketahuna .. £1,850 (£1,540) Greytown alterations £1,950 (£1.400) It was recommended to the board that the work at the annexe be deleted and the money set aside for the work diverted to the other proposals. The chairman (Mr H. H. Mawley): "There does not appear to be much chance of doing the annexe this year. As you can see, the cost now is going to be much more than we thought. If’ we cut out this job, it will be possible to do the roadway.” CONDITION OF WARD. -■ Mrs S. Fletcher: “I consider that this board should investigate Ward 7, and find out whether or not it is sanitary. I don't think it is. As a matter of fact several patients have made- complaints about it, and this work is definitely more important than a new road.” I Mr Mawley: "It is not a question of what should be done, but how can we undertake a £3,000 job with only £1,100?”

Mrs Fletcher: ‘‘lt’s more important than a lot of other proposed works.” Mr C. T. Richardson: “I strongly object to the word “insanitary” and I would like to know from some one in authority whether or not that is the case.” Mr Mawley: “Shall we ask Dr Parr to come in?” This was decided on. Mrs Fletcher: ‘‘Well, if we can’t spend all of the money, we should at least spend some on necessary improvements in this ward.” Dr Parr (Medical Superintendent) said he did not consider that Ward 7 was insanitary. It was certainly inconvenient. He did not consider it would be wise to make any structural alterations without doing the whole job. The whole ward was badly arranged and the job would be a big one. In reply to Mr Richardson, Dr Parr repeated that the ward was sanitary. It was just inconvenient. Dr Parr admitted to Mrs Robertson that everything from two bedrooms had to pass through the kitchen. “That' is rather insanitary, isn’t it?” asked Mrs Robertson. Mr Mawley: “If the other works are carried out, the £l.lOO provided for the annexe will be eaten up. The only way to undertake this work will be by loan." It was decided to leave the matter in the hands of Dr Parr, who is to re-] port back at the board's next meeting. If the work is urgent the raising of al loan will be considered.