THE HERMITAGE

Press, Volume LXXXI, Issue 24567, 16 May 1945, Page 2

THE HERMITAGE

MINISTER REPLIES TO COMPLAINTS RENOVATIONS BEING UNDERTAKEN A correspondent, Dr. A. Douglas Anderson, who .complained of “disgraceful” conditions at the Hermitage, Mount Cook, is replied to by the Minister of Internal Affairs (the Hon. W. E. Parry), who states that renovations and alterations to tne building are being proceeded with. Dr. Anderson urges in his letter that “the Returned Services’ Association, in conjunction with the Government and authorities responsible for the comfortable recuperation of our returned and returning men from all services,” including the Merchant Navy, should take up the matter of improvements at Mount Cook. , .. “What does one hear about cenflitions prevailing at Mount Cook?” he asks. “Nothing but discontent. Two persons, regular visitors there, . and quite competent to express reliable views on the situation, told me the conditions are disgraceful. The bathrooms are dirty and inadequate in number. Some lavatories do not work and nothing is done to rectify the conditions. A bus takes visitors up to the Ball Hut over a somewhat dangerous road. The vehicle is almost always overloaded, which seems to me to be unnecessary and highly dangerous. especially when it is with school children. How would such conditions produce calm, contentment, and a quick recovery of broken-down nervous systems in our soldiers, who are after all our first consideration from now on?” . . „ ' . . In his reply, the Minister says, that control of this hotel was resumed by his department a little over 12 months ago, after it had been leased for a long period of years. At the date of resumption of control, the furniture and fittings were admittedly not in a very gooa condition, “but the correspondent is not correct in his assumption that nothing is being done to rectify matters. Work covered by contracts let for renovations and alterations to the buildings, and improvements to the staff quarters have almost been completed, and orders have been placed for new furniture, etc, “Arrangements are under way to complete the installation of a central heating system throughout the hotel, and to provide running water in all bedrooms, and it is expected that this work will be completed at an early date. Additional lounge accommodation will be provided and, generally speaking, the standard of the hotel raised.” , 1