HEALTH RESORTS FOR OUR SICK SOLDIERS

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 112, 5 February 1919, Page 5

HEALTH RESORTS FOR OUR SICK SOLDIERS

THE WAIPUKUR-4.U FARM/. For soldiers who have come back with tubercular trouble, the Defence Department is providing special treatment, with ample opportunities for the open-air life and light and useful ocqMpation. The Minister of Defence, Sir James Allen, recently visited the Defence Department's farm near Waipukurau, to see how the' arrangements for the reception of soldier patients' are progressing. On his return he gave some details' of. the scheme. The farm, he stated, is situated about two and a half miles from Waipukurau,. the Hawke's Has- township, and has the r advantages of a .beautiful climate and a fine view. There are 326 acres of first-class land. He found the building operations well iji hand, and anticipates that the contract will bo completed by the end of Apr.lL Trees for shelter have been pMted, and the farm is in running order. The cows are there, the garden planted, and the] vegetables will be available ivjien the patients arrive. There is also itn orchard, with an orchardist in charge |of orchard and garden. Mr. W. E. Newton, a returned soldier -with an outstandingly good knowledge and experience'of farm matters, has been appointed farm mann.sor and instructor. "Soldiers'suffering from tubercular trouble," said Sfcr James 'Allen, "will go to Waipukuraia farm in the same way as they would 'go to'an ordinary hospital for free treatment, and they will take part in farming operations or gardening or orchard -work according, as the medical officer considers it likely to help in their , recovery.' Plenty of provision has been made for their, amusement. The Y.H.C.A. are putting up a. large hall, and the Red 'Cross is- providing workshop? for vocational training suitable for patieent?. We liojio to make provision for over a hundred patients, and this number could be (Vmblrd, though I am advised that it will not lie goodj policy, to have more than .150 patients in any sanatorium./ -I am -fllad lo say that wp shnll have the valuable services of Dr. Blackmore, the hfcad o! , the Cashmere.Hills Sanatorium, who. will go to Waipukurau to give, the'institution a start. He will probably , shy there for three or v four months, and I am pleased'that he is giving us this assistance, .for I regard him as prdbablv the foremost authority in the Dominion on the treatment of •consumption;" The Defence Department is also providing additional accommodation for , , the treatment of consumptive soldiers .it CashmereHi.lls Sanatorium, Chrislchurch, The Minister regards this institution n» . particularly well placed, for the p,itttnN have a glorious view out to sea, acsoss the Canterbury Plains,- and on a iliio .day a range of panorama extending up to -fcho Knikouras. "Wβ are making provisios " sa.id Sir James Allen, "for about fi-fltj-jiatients, and wo havo already twenty or thirty in the main sanatorium. The tktensions designed can.bo carried on until we can accomodate 130 patients."