THE GOVERNOR.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXVI, Issue 13, 16 January 1905, Page 5

THE GOVERNOR.

» CAMBRIDGE SANATORIUM VISIT. (By Telegraph.—Own Correspondent.) HAMILTON, this day. His Excellency the Governor, accompanied by Lady Plunket and Sir Joseph Ward, Mr. Wells (the Mayor), Miss Well*, and Mr. Lang, MH.R., visited the Cambridge Sanatorium Te Waikato on Saturday. Upon arrival there they were met by Dr. Mason. Dr. Pentreath,' Dr. Roberts, and Mis 3 Rochfort (the matron). Their Excellencies were shown over the ground and buildings, and entertained with light refreshments, after which the whole of the patients assembled in front of tne main buildings, where Sir Joseph introduced Lord and Lady Plunket. Welcoming them to the institution, Sir Joseph expressed the great pleasure of the patients at the visit, which marked an epoch in its history. It was not so long ago that they had another memorable gathering at the same place, when the institution was formally opened. In the interval good work had been done, though he was sorry to say that no single institution in the colony could i meet the demands made upon it on behalf of suffering humanity, and which had on many occasions caused him deep regret. Though good worx was being done at the home, still many refusals of admission had to be made. He hoped that the addition of annexes at the various hospitals in the colony would at no distant date enable ample provision to be made to overcome the spread of this dread disease. He would take the opportunity of the presence of His Excellency to suggest that in the interests of the many sullering from consumption a colonial association should be formed upon the lines of that in Britain, of which His Majesty the King was president, and that His Excellency Lord Plunket would accept the similar position in New Zealand. If he did so the speaker felt sure it would do good, and many who were anxious to further help in fighting this devastating scourge would gladly assist under proper conditions by becoming members of such an association. He had not had an opportunity of making this request personally to His Excellency, but he expressed the hope, not only on behalf of those present, but also on behalf of the colony as a whole, that His Excellency would lend his powerful aid in such a case. (Hear, hear.) The ' Waikato institution was a splendidly situated one, with pure healthy sur- i rounding3, which helped materially to improve the condition of its inmates, of ' whom there were at present about s'■ hundred. A number had already received great benefit from the treatment, and had returned to their homes; anil ' he was glad to inform His Excellency that many in the home were speedily ; improving. The patients cured had ' spread amongst their fellows sentiments of appreciation and good wilL and voiced ' their recognition of the benefits they had received under the able treatment of the Chief Health Officer. Dr. Mason, and Miss Rochfort, the kindly and womanly matron, and her staff of nurses. Dr. Pentreath, the medical officer at the sanatoria n, had aided materially in its . successfi working, and he took the opportunit of mentioning Dr. Roberts, who wa; present, and who had rendered valuable help in the earlier stages of the inst ;ution. He concluded by assuring His Excellency that by the rules of the inst nation cheering was forbidden, but «_. j'ing was substituted, and he asked all present to join in showing their appreciation of the visit of Lord and Lady Plunket in the manner usual at the sanatorium. This was cordially | done. Sir Joseph was warmly applauded during his remarks, and on their conclusion. Hie Excellency was also received with enthusiasm. His Excellency said he cowld assure those present that the thanks to Her Excellency and himself were from their point of view quite unnecessary, because there was nothing that interested them more than ■••siting such an institution. He had been for years connected in Ireland, where consumption was probably more rife than anywhere else, with a similar institution, and, although he was a good Irishman, he must confess not so good a one as the one he was now visiting. He knew the value of such institutions, not only in the good they did to the patients, but also on account of the good these patients themselves were able to do when they left restored to health by teaching and disseminating the rules of I health they themselves had learned. Her Excellency was also keenly alive to the value of such institutions, as she was deeply interested in nursing, and she had a sister who was a nurse herself. He would add that if any society were established in New Zealand on the lines indicated by Sir Joseph, it would be the greatest pleasure to him to associate himself with it, and help it in any way he could. He concluded by again expressing the thanks of Lady Plunket and himself for their cordial reception, and he wished them all happiness and speedy recovery. His Excellency was loudly applauded at the conclusion of his remarks, and 1 then left the institution en route for Auckland,