HOSPITAL SITE

Waikato Times, Volume 119, Issue 19885, 14 May 1936, Page 6

HOSPITAL SITE

LEASE BY ROTORLA. BOROUGH COUNCIL‘S OPPOSITION CONTROVERSY REVIVLD. The controversy surrounding the lease of the Pukeroa Reserve as the site of the Botorua Hospital was reopened at a meeting of the \\'alkato Hospital Board to-day \\'hen "10 Director-General oi Health. Dr. .\i. 1!. Watt. suggested a conference with the chairman, Mr J. J. Ryburn. in Wellington to discuss the terms of the proposals. Dr. Watt informed the board that the department had recently obtained a good deal or added information in connection with the reserve lease at the site occupied by the hospital. and it would appear that the granting ot a lease by the Crown to the board was likely to occasion serious objection on the part of the Botorua Borough Council, which it was desired should ultimately take over responsibility for the care of the portion or the reserve outside the area to be leased to the board. The department was anxious that the Hospital Board should be entirely satisfied with whatever ar—gangements were made and as the mat‘ter was somewhat involved. it would \be appreciated if the chairman could “15” Wellington to discuss the matter with the department and represen—tatives or the other departments concerned.

Mr J. J. Ryburn. the chairman, said at a. conference at Rotorua in April 0! last year the board received the guarantee that it was to receive a direct lease of 21 years from the Crown. He considered if any conference were intended it should be held in Rotorua which was more accessible to all the parties concerned and a delegation to Wellington would involve the board in considerable expense. "We shall stand firm in securing a direct lease from the Crown," he added.

‘ Mr G. Urquhart pointed out that two conferences had already been held at Roiorua but all the parties had not been represented. Nothing could be ‘doue «by a vlslt to \Vellington. i “We should not shirt one peg from the agreement or a direct lease from the Crown," observed Mr \V. li. Lowry. It was resolved to ask Dr. Wait to meet the Hospital Board, the Rotoruu Borough Council. the Rotorua County Council. and the Arawa Trust Board at Rotorua.