H.—3la.

In emphasizing the importance of convenient access to the hospital the thought is not so much of the transference of the patients to the hospital at the time of lying-in as of the much more frequent attendances at the hospital clinic which modern maternity care now demands. The convenience of visitors has also to be considered. A site reasonably accessible by tram, and at the least possible cost, is obviously desirable. While not desiring to overstress the value of close proximity to the general hospital, the Committee agrees that in many ways such proximity tends to economy, efficiency, and safety. Although in many respects a well-equipped maternity hospital is a self-contained unit, yet there are occasions on which close contact with the facilities of the general hospital is most desirable. For purposes of X-ray examination, for the fullest utilization of the laboratory services, for full co-operation with the other out-patients departments and for convenience in consultation with physicians and surgeons, there are undoubtedly great advantages in the two hospitals being close together. Finally, while fully realizing the necessity for studying most closely the cost of any proposed site, the Committee believes that in embarking on a major work of this kind it would be a serious mistake to lose the best site because of a somewhat increased initial cost. Examining the various proposed sites in the light of these considerations, certain locations on the outskirts of the city were at once ruled out and the choice appeared to rest between : — (a) A site at Addington, owned by the Department of Health. (b) The present St. Helens site, increased by the buying of certain properties at present belonging to the Salvation Army and other owners. (c) The site at present occupied by the St. Andrew's Manse. All three sites are believed to be adequate in size for present needs. The St. Helens site and the St. Andrew's site are both quite well situated for access ; the Addington site is less favourably placed. As to the locality the great majority of witnesses strongly disapproved of the Addington site, situated as it is in a definitely industrial area. The present St. Helens site is open to somewhat similar criticism. The Committee agrees with the majority of the witnesses who consider that the St. Andrew's site is much the most pleasantly situated. Finally, the St. Andrew's site presents all the advantages of nearness to the main hospital which have already been discussed. From every point of view, then, except cost, the Committee considers the St. Andrews site to be the most suitable one. The question of comparative cost was then discussed in detail and the Committee expressed the opinion that although the cost of the St. Andrew's site was somewhat greater than that of the other properties, this factor did not outweigh the other advantages. On the question of site the Committee therefore concluded : — Taking everything into consideration, in the opinion of the Committee the St. Andrew's site is certainly the best one, and the selection of the property is strongly recommended. The Committee then continued :— 11. The Scope of the New Hospital's Activities. The Committee is of the opinion that the present time affords a valuable opportunity not only for the discussion of the continuation and improvement of the type of maternity service hitherto provided by the St. Helens Hospital, but also for the consideration of a much wider development of the maternity services for Christchurch City. Certain of these matters will be more fully dealt with in the general report, but, in so far as they may have a direct bearing on the type of hospital to be constructed, they are here dealt with in relation to the local position. (1) Provision for the Improvement and Extension of the present St. Helens Service. —This, of course, is the first essential. With sixteen beds the present St. Helens has been totally inadequate to meet the demand. It is evident that, with a modern well-equipped hospital, the demand for beds will be still further greatly increased. From the evidence presented, the Committee is of the opinion that, for this purpose alone, forty beds should be provided. (2) Provision for Obstetrical Emergencies.—Although comparatively few confinements are now conducted in private houses, and although any reasonably wellequipped maternity home is able to deal with the great majority of its own " booked " cases, there is always a small number of cases which require to be

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