MINISTER OF HEALTH

Dominion, Volume 22, Issue 225, 19 June 1929, Page 12

MINISTER OF HEALTH

PERSONALLY RENDERS FIRST AID By Telegraph.—Press Association. Greymouth, June IS. The somewhat unique experience of receiving first aid treatment at the hands of the Minister of Health befel Mr. Barney Rodden, a roadman employed by the Public Works Department at the Waikukupa Gorge. The Minister (Hon. A. J. Stallworthy) accompanied by Mr. Jas. O’Brien. M.P., was returning from a visit to the Fox Glacier when, reaching Omoerua, his car was hailed by men of the Public Works camp, who informed the Ministerial party that a roadman had badly gashed his foot with an axe, and requested that a message be left at Waiho for medical assistance. The Minister offered to convey the injured man to Waiho in his car. He first rendered first aid, and the patient was taken to Waiho. Mr. Rodden, although an elderly man, was quite unconcerned about his mishap, and conversed cheerfully with his benefactor until the end of the journey, when his foot was attended by a nurse. Referring to the incident later, the Minister said to a deputation that it had been very forcibly impressed upon him the need of better facilities for medical attention in the backblocks. Mr. Stallworthy journeyed to the glaciers during the week-end, accompanied by Mr. O’Brien. On Saturday the Ministerial party motored from Greymouth to Fox Glacier, a distance of over 140 miles. The Minister received deputations at Harihari and Mataiuui. The day was beautifully fine, and the sky was clear, enabling the visitor to obtain a splendid view of the ranges. On reaching Weheka the mountains were obscured, but the clouds lifted as the sun was setting, and Mounts Tasman and Cook came into view, presenting a glorious spectacle. The party returned the following day to Waiho, and during the afternoon the Minister went on to Frans Josef Glacier. Next morning the party proceeded to Lake Kapourika, and went by launch to thf far side of the lake, which is remarkable for its echoes. 1 he Minister said that he travelled extensively in Canada and America and had seen many show places of the world, but considered the scenery on the West Coast without exaggeration truly magnificent and unsurpassed by anything elsewhere.