NEW HOSPITAL

Waikato Times, Volume 125, Issue 20957, 9 November 1939, Page 6

NEW HOSPITAL

ROTORUA PROJECT DELAY OF SIX YEARS COMPLETION OF LEASE LIKELY After a long period involving many delays, which have been criticised from time to time by the Waikato Hospital Board, the board’s negotiations for tenure of a site for a new hospital at Rotorua are likely to be brought to a satisfactory conclusion in the near future. In order to secure some indication of the attitude of the Department of Health regarding the matter, the chairman of the Hospital Board, Mr chairman of the Hospital Board, Mr F. Findlay visited W ellington last week. At the meeting of the board in Hamilton today he reported upon his interview with the acting-Minister of Health, the Hon. H. T. Armstrong. Concern of the Board “I informed the minister that the Doard was greatly concerned that the matter of the lease of the Pukeroa hospital site from the Crown to tne board has not been granted as promised, after a lapse of six years," said Mr Findlay, “until it was given tne board could not incur on behalf of the ratepayers any expenditure for capital buildings. “The position was becoming untenable and the doctor in charge was greatly concerned about the lack of accommodation. It was not right that he should he asked to carry on under such conditions." Mr Findlay said he informed the minister that the board members would refuse to accept any further responsibility for what might happen through lack of conditions and proper facilities, as the present conditions were far from satisfactory and there was a grave danger of a serious loss through fire. “The minister and the department are anxious that the board be granted a security of tenure, and it is expected that the matter will be brought to a satisfactory conclusion in the near future.” added Mr Findlay. Opinion At Rotorua The following resolution, said the chairman, was passed by the Rotorua Borough Council last night:— “That in the the opinion of the Rotorua Borough Council, the conditions of the original deed under which the land was given by the Ngati Whakaue Maori tribe to the Government for the use and enjoyment of the people of Rotorua must be respected. The council does not want to obstruct in any way the efforts of the Waikato Hospital Board to obtain a tenure of sufficient security to justify it in incurring the expenditure necessary adequately to provide for the hospital requirements of the Rotorua district. The council is of the opinion, however, that ultimately the Pukeroa Reserve will not be large enough to accommodate a base hospital such as will be necessary to provide for the needs of the district in the years to come Management Suggestions “The council feels, therefore, that the only way the interests of the inhabitants of Rotorua, as the beneficiaries under the deed of trust, can be protected and the spirit of the deed of trust observed, is by reverting to the condition that was agreed upon at the time the land was handed over. That is that the control of the area should be vested in a board of management on which the Ngati Whakaue should have one representative. The council recommends that the board consist of the Mayor of Rotorua, a representative of the Tourist Department, and the representative of the Ngati Whakaue. “The council is of the opinion that the board of management should be authorised to lease such area as may be required for hospital purposes to the Waikato Hospital Board, and that the lease be renewed for such period as the area may be actually required for hospital purposes.” Large Enough For 100 Years

Referring to the comment of the Rotorua Borough Council that the urea was inadequate for a hospital, Mr Findlay said experts had advised the board that the area would be adequate for at least 100 years. "We ljave been waiting for years to secure a tenure of the Rotorua site,” said Mr T. G. Reynolds. “It does not matter who signs the lease, provided we get it in perpetuity. We must know that the tenure cannot be upset under any circumstances. We should wait now and let the matter clarify.” The resolution of the Rotorua Council will be referred to the House and Finance Committee of the Hospital Board, which will confer with the board’s solicitors on the question of the lease. Mr H. M. Martin and Mr J. Banks will be associated with the committee.