THE RETURNED TROOPS

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2558, 4 September 1915, Page 6

THE RETURNED TROOPS

I HOSPITAL ARRANGEMENTS STATEMENT BY HON. C. VI, RUSSELL. With regard to the provision being ntado for wounded soldiers, tho Minister of Public Health, who returned from the north on Wednesday, said last evening that when the news was received that the Tahiti was'arriving with 419 invalided ' troops aboard all the hospital boards of tho Dominion were immediately circularised by telegraph to ascertain what number of beds they could' place at tho disposal of the Public Health Department'for the reception of the soldiers. From replies received i£ was estimated that at present'the civil hospitals of the; country could provide beds for approximately 1000 wounded troopers if necessary. Latest'advices indicated all the men on the Tahiti did'_ not require hospital, treatment, 27 being hospital eases and 57 convalescents, while 405 were described as "others," of which term tho meaning was not clear. Steps wero being taken to obtain an approximate classification which would indicate what the requirements would be. The Aparima, Mr. Russell continued, which loft Suez t-hreo days after the Tahiti, had nearly 100 cases of infectious disease on board, in consequence of which she would proceed to Port Chalmers, and 1 the whole of those who were suffering from infectious disease would be placed on Quarantine Island. Mr. Russell said that his proposals were warmly received in Auckland. Ho met the; Hospital Board, and they arranged the whole; scheme for the handling. of the surgical cases that might bo concentrated in the main hospital-in the north. Subsequently ,he met ; the ladies of tho Patriotic Committee in Auckland; including the Mayoresses of the • city and the suburban boroughs. Mr. Russell went to Rotorua, where, lie said,. it was intended to establish the chief convalescent station for tho North Island.' Accomparied ■by Dr. Valintine, Inspector-General of _ Hospitals, lie made a careful examination of the buildings in that district, The present sanatorium- would bo enlarged to hold at least 70 cases, the intention being to collect at Rotorua those men to.whom the mineral baths would bo of great assistance. Under Dr. Herbert, the bath service .would .be ■ extended by the addition of trained men,.and, if necessary, by tho training of others. It- was intended to establishthe main convalescent camp on Pukeroa Hnl, overlooking Rotorua township and lake. It r was intended that Rotorua should be the scene of the last stage of convalescence prior to » man's return to 'the. firing lino or to. his civil-employ-ment. The f camp, would be 1 equipped with shelters'largely based on .tho. lines adopted by the Great, 'Eastern Hospital at Cambridge,England,-.wherri great success had been achieved in treating wounded' soldiers. : During his Visit to the north Mr. Russell "'as approached by the Auckland Bowling- Association witli a view fo-'a fund being .established .byi that body : for. the., furnishing and equipment of Kilbride, formerly tlie residence of Sir John Logan Campbell, at Campbell Point, on. tho Waitemata. The Minister 'pointed out to the association the undesirability ,of a large body of convelescent® being 'located in the immediate vicihty of one of ; the large cties, where! they would be_ subjected to temptations._ l'h'e-association has recognised, tho advisability of adopting'the Minister's suggestion arid concentrating their efforts at Rotorua. A movement will therefore be set going, probably throughout the whole of the North Island, to' enable bowlers to express: their patriotism by establishing a fund, tho operations of which will bo concentrated at Rotorua. The. Ministor expressed tho. hope thai similar efforts would bo, made by, bowlers iii the South Island in ' connection with tho intention .to • develop Haiimer : Springs, which will be , provided with I the equipment, as/far as possible, that Rotorua, possesses, and 1 ' etengthened in staff, to make it,, ae far as it caii be,"for tlie Soutlr Island soldiers what Rotorua;will be for the North.-