ANZAC HALL

Wairarapa Times-Age, 21 October 1943, Page 3

ANZAC HALL

USE AS EMERGENCY HOSPITAL

WAIRARAPA BOARD REFUSES RELEASE. MAYOR OF FEATHERSTON’S VIEWS. Further reference to the use of the Anzac Hall, Featherston, as an emergency hospital was made at yesterday’s meeting of the Wairarapa Hospital Board. The board adhered to its previous decision that the hall could not be vacated.

The Department of Health wrote suggesting that as the citizens of Featherston required the hall that it be handed back and the equipment stored by the board. The Managing-Secretary, Mr Norman Lee, said he had been instructed by the chairmna, Mr H. H. Mawley, to secure the opinion of Mr J. W. Card, Mayor of Featherston, on the subject. Mr Card had advised that neither he nor the Borough Council had been asked by any citiezens for the hall to be taken back. He did not know which citizens wanted the hall. He had discussed the matter with the council and it was agreed that there were sufficient halls in Featherston without the use of the Anzac Hall. It was realised that the Anzac Hall was the best. Mr A. Clark: “Quite right.”

Mr Card further advised that the council required the- board to either keep the hall or completely release it, as it would be impossible to let the hall if part was still used as a hospital.

Mr Lee said the stage would be wanted and there were offices built on it. The sterilizer room blocked an exit and the seats would have to be replaced around the wall. In. the event of the hospital being wanted there would be a delay in restoring it.

“We have to make some sacrifice,” said Miss H. Card. She added that she missed the hall as much as anyone but the sick and wounded who might return to New Zealand could not be deprived of the hospital, which was all ready.

The board decided to forward Mr Card's comments to the Department pf Health along with the board’s opinion that in view of the disposition of the New Zealand forces it did not favour the hall being handed back.