FOR SICK SOLDIERS.

Press, Volume LII, Issue 15607, 3 June 1916, Page 12

FOR SICK SOLDIERS.

HANMER CONTALBSGBNT HOME. TO BE OPENED TO-I>AY. The Convalescent Home for returned soldiers at Hanmer Springs, which -will be opened to-day by the Hon. G. AV. Uussell. is a most comfortable and up-to-date building. The whole of tho work, from the clearing of the ground to installing the electric light, has been done by the Public Works Department, and is a "credit to all concerned. The comfort and convenience of the invalids Las been carefully studied. The building is 393 feet in length, and facos the north. It contains two octagons, dining-hall Gift v 3Sft, capable of seating 250 men, recreation room, non-commissioned officers' rooms, commandant's quarters, visitors bedrooms, doctor's consulting and waitingrooms, dispensary, storerooms, kitchen, pantry, bathrooms, lavatories, .and all tho necessary sanitary arrangements. The interior is painted a dull white, and is splendidly lighted by electricity, [ho laryp diniilg-hall, which will also bo -,!sed as a* living-room, contains a piano arid billiard table, and is heated by two largo open fireplaces. The octagons Tviil contain 10l> bede each, and, if necessary } provision can be made for 400. They are heated with steam radir.tors and are very pleasant, cheerful rooms. A splendid view of the mountains and sanatorium grounds can be had from them. The sanitary arrangements are perfect. The recreation room is fit tea with every comfort, and will contain a library. Books of every kind will bo very welcome, as there is uo library in tho district for the men to got reading matter from. The comquarters, N'.C.O.'s rooms, etc., are all comfortably furnished. The largo storerooms, capable of holding stores for a small army, are equipped with monster bins for flour, sugar, rice, sago, etc., and shelves to hold all other articles. The dispensary, which is attached to the doctor's consulting and waiting-rooms, is well stocked and is ;n charge of a qualified chemist. In the kitchen, probably the most important piace in tho building, is a huge "Salamander Cooker," capable of c.ookmg meals for 400 men. It has six largo evens, ami innumerable openings on tho top to hold various-sized pots and pans, livery convenience has been installed that, will help to lighten the labour of tho kitchen staff. Commodious rooms are attached for the chief cook and second cook. A large furnace and boiler outside tho main building will generate enough steam to properly' heat all the radiators in the men's sleeping apartments. A very comfortable house for the doctor is in course of construction, and the laundry is practically completed. A staff consisting of 26 officers and orderlies has been hard at work for the past week getting tho building cleaned up and furnished, and everything looks promising for a very successful opening. A special train will loavo Christchurch at 8.15 a.m., and reach Culvciden at 10.30, where passengers will bo transported by motor-cars to Hanmer. Passengers will return by motor to Culverden, leaving thero at 4.35 p.m., and arriving in Christchurch at 6.50 p.m. Owing to the limited number of cars available, only those passengers will be transported who have notified tho Health authorities of their intention to go. Forty-two cars, with a seating capacity of about 220, have been secured for tho conveyance of guests between Culverden and Hanmer Springs, fwenty-fivo cars have been promised from Christchurch, of which six have been obtained from the Automobile Association. Eight have been secured from the Culverden district, in addition to the three ordinarily used in the passenger and mail service. .