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72
The plans having been approved by the Managers, and the
assent of the Local Government Board obtained, the Small-Pox
Hospitals Committee were authorised, in January of the current
year, to invite tenders upon specifications to be prepared by the
Architects. The Committee in their report stated that
their efforts had been " directed to the preparation of plans for a
hospital which, whilst it provides accommodation suitable in
character and adequate in dimensions, shall be erected, maintained
and administered at a mimimum cost." They claim
moreover, to have been "so far successful that the present
plans, although providing for the same number of patients, and
for the same possible increase as that previously (in 1884) considered,
are estimated to cost but little more than half the
amount then contemplated." This, however, is "partly due to
the proposed retention of the Infirmary and Laundry at the
South Camp." The delay, therefore, is seen to have been productive
of nothing but good, for a better site has been obtained,
through the persistency of the Managers, whilst the utmost
economy of construction will have resulted from the action of the
Local Government Board, who, in their letter of assent, state
that ''the estimated cost of the buildings, which, according to
the plans submitted (and approved) in 1884, it was then proposed
to erect for the purpose of the hospital, was £116,000,
whereas the cost of carrying out the new plans, including the
extensive utilisation of the existing buildings remaining from
the North and South Camps," which will "form an essential
feature of the proposed new hospital,'' is estimated at £66,142.
The accommodation to be provided is, for males 250, females and
children 350, in two groups of five and seven huts respectively,
each hut providing for 50 beds. The hospital has been designed
for convalescing patients no longer needing medical treatment or
nursing ; and it is proposed to utilise the Camp buildings for
Infirmary purposes. Two infirmary wards will be removed
from the North Camp to the South Camp, where there will then
be eight infirmary wards affording accommodation for 128 beds
in all. The laundry is to be retained for use of the Hospital and