INVALIDED SOLDIERS.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XXXV, Issue 8270, 15 October 1915, Page 6

INVALIDED SOLDIERS.

•TWO TRANSPORTS ON THE WAY. WELLINGTON, October 14. Two transports, which are due to reach Port Chalmers 10"or 11 days lioncp, are bringing a .large number of invalided New Zealanders from Egypt and Malta. The men are to be disembarked at Port Chalmers in. order that tho vessels may be refitted there without loss of time in preparation for the departure of further reinforcements at the advanced date. The Defence Department will make arrange-' ments for the conveyance of soldiers who may be coming north to hospitals or to their homes,

The Minister in charge of Hospitals (the Hon. G. W. Russell) stated-to-day that the new draft of invalided men would be dealt with on the lines that had been devised previously. Men who required hospital treatment would be sent when possible to the hospitalnearest their homes, provided that the equipment and staff were suited to their requirements. Other men would be sent to the convalescent stations at Rotorua and Hanmer. The convalescent station at Rotorua would shortly be capable of taking 70 men, who would be accommodated at the Sanatorium. The work ot erecting the neighbouring convalescent camp was being proceeded with as rapidly as possible. The Lodge at Hanmer had been.placed at the disposal of the Government by Mr Duncan Rutherford as the; first ' portion of a convalescent station, and 'extra staff would be provided as the station developed.

, The Minister mentioned that money was coming in from the public for the establishment of convalescent stations. That day he had received information that Wairarapa, had contributed '£1000. towards the ;* fund, and he had every reason to Relieve the response of the community: to the appeal that had been made was going to be adequate. >!