LOSING STRENGTH.

Auckland Star, Volume LXXI, Issue 71, 25 March 1940, Page 8

LOSING STRENGTH.

YESTERDAY'S BULLETINS. Medical bulletins issued yesterday indicated that the Prime Minister was rapidly losing strength, although ln» retained full possession of his mental faculties, but as hour succeeded hour fears increased concerning his recovery. Late last night Mr. Savage was reported to be more mentally alert and brighter than at any stage since last Monday.

The final bulletin yesterday was issued at 0 p.m. This stated: "The Prime Minister has continued to lose strength dtiring the day and his condition is more critical this evening." At 3 p.m. a bulletin announced: "The condition of the Prime Minister is definitely very much weaker to-day and is giving rise to the gravest anxiety." Mr. Savage was able to recognise friends and associates who visited his bedside at his home in Northland until late last night; and he was able to speak to them clearly. From his bed the Prime Minister looked over the moonlit harbour of Port Nicholson and commented upon the magnifi-eence of the view. That was at 9 o'clock. His handclasp was then firm. Four members of the Cabinet remained in Wellington over the week-end. The deputy Prime Minister, the Hon. P. Fraser, was in his office at Parliament Buildings at half past two this morning. Mr. Savage has been constantly attended by two doctors.