Palmerston Hospital improvements

Manawatu Times, Volume LIV, Issue 7286, 13 October 1933, Page 3

Palmerston Hospital improvements

FEILDING LEAVES IT TO HOSPITAL BOARD At last evening’s meeting of the Feilding Borough Council consideration "was given the proposals of the Palmerston North Hospital Board to provide additions to tho old people’s homo at Awapuni, and also to build an administrative block at tho hospital. The Mayor (Mr C. E. Taylor) said that he had conferred with Mr V. E. Smith, Feilding’;? representative on tho Hospital Board, who had informed him of tho position and assured the speaker that the work was absolutely necessary. Mr Taylor understood that the additions to tho old people’s home were desirable to relieve tho overcrowding at the main hospital, in that «, number of old people would be provided for at the Awapuni home instead of being accommodated in tho main hospital as at present. It was claimed that this would enable economies to be effected and would obviate the need to provide further ward accommodation at th*» main hospital. In regard to the accomodation block, his Worship felt that this work did not appear so urgently necessary, and he would have liked to have sc-cn this proposal held over until conditions improved. He understood from Mr Smith that the annual capital charge on Feilding for tho cost of these buildings would be £25,

Cr. A. C. McCorkiadalo said he understood that the Hospital Board was indebted to the Power Board for the use of a meeting room. He knew that the Hospital Board lacked administration accommodation. Cr. A. J. lvcllow asked whether Mr Smith bad agreed with the proposals, and went on to express tho view that the time did not appear opportune to justify an. expenditure of £12,500.

Thc Mayor assured Cr. Kollow that Mr Smith had supported the proposals. He did not think the council could raise any objection to the proposals. He was satisfied to leave the matter to tho judgment of the Hospital BoaTd which, as a responsible local body, could bo depended upon to act in the best interests of tho community. He would move accordingly. Cr. E. Fair seconded tho motion and expressed the view that ho was satisfied .that tho additions to the old people ’$ homo were necessary, and as regards the administrative block, he felt that the position must bo such as to compel the board to take the action it proposed. The motion was carried.