BOPDHB History Whakatāne Hospital History Book | Page 44

The 1923 Foundation Stone. Photo: Bay of Plenty District Health Board Archive

Despite the Board placing on record, in November 192354 that it ‘does not anticipate any further
capital expenditure for the next five years’, it was inevitable that the demands for more and different
services would continue. A dispensary was established, the side verandah to the Men’s Ward was
glassed in, railings were placed on the verandah of the Children’s Ward, an additional two rooms
were added to the Domestic Staff Quarters and a variety of bed and other equipment was purchased.
Debentures were issued to raise money ‘for the installation of heating and sterilising plant, increasing
the size of the Maternity Unit (opened in 1927) erecting accommodation for old men, and providing
a padded cell.’ The final item was apparently motivated by a growing awareness of the lack of
‘accommodation for mental patients and border line cases at the hospital.’
The devastation caused by the 3 February 1931 Napier earthquake no doubt prompted the Board
to turn its attention to the safety of the Hospital’s Main Building. In September 1931, Mr West, the
Architect, submitted a scheme for strengthening the walls of the main ward against risk of damage
by earthquake and for providing emergency exits, with an estimated cost of £125. This was agreed
to but as there is no further mention of the proposed work in the Board Minutes it may or may not
have been carried out. However, by March 1936 a further enlargement of the Main Building was
envisaged ‘within the next five years.’

54

Bay of Plenty Hospital and Charitable Aid Board Minutes, Volume 2 [17.09.1917 – 25.03.1938],
22 November 1923, (Auckland, Archives New Zealand, Reference ADHL A1669 22975 7)

Page 39