KUMARA NOTES.

Greymouth Evening Star, 14 September 1918, Page 3

KUMARA NOTES.

(Own Correspondent). MINISTER FOR INTERNAL AFFAIRS. The Minister for Internal Affairs, the Hon. G. W* Russell, accompanied by his private secretary, arrived in Kumara on Wednesday at 20 minutes to 2, and in the unavoidable absence of the Mayor and Town Clerk was welcomed by the Borough Council and a representative gathering of the general public. The Minister, who had been here in the early days, was familiar with the town, and called to mind the names of the principal streets, and after a hearty shake-hands with the assemblage, proceeded to the Old People's Home, accompanied by Mr R. McGlone, one of the oldest trustees of the Hospital. The Minister was shown through the building, and recommended some improvements, especially singling out the Seddon Ward for renovation. An adjournment was then made to the Town Hall, when the Minister was interviewed with reference to having the approach to tlie Teremakau bridge completed. He promised to see into the matter and have it attended to at once. Payne’s Gully road, which only required anotner le w miles to complete, was then brought forward, and the Minister, who was sympathetic, said he certainly thought the road should be completed, and he would favourably report: on the matter. • The Minister was then approached re the closing of the Jvumara. Hospital, and the hardship felt by the residents in having no resident medical man. The hospital had been handed over to the Westland Charitable Aid Board free of debt; and in addition the Borough was paying a levy of £IOO per year to the Board, and received nothing in return. The doctor from Hokitika had paid a hying 'visit to tne Old People’s Home that morning at a cost of ±‘6 6s and was away again before the people knew that he had been there. The residents of the district wanted the Board to pay Dr Mcßrearty the sum of £IOO per year to visit the Hospital once a week and visit all the patients in the home. In reply, the Minister recommended that a Hospital Board be formed, and raise funds to the amount of between £7O and £BO, the same to be handed over to the Westland Charitable Aid Board, who would subsidise it to the extent of 24s in the pound. Then the Government would come in with a larger subsidy. The Government were going to build a large home at Greymouth for the accommodation of the old people. Mr McGlone here sugg-ested that the home be made large enough to accommodate all the old people in Kumara and re-open the hospitalThe Minister said the difficulty was in getting the services of medical men. There were no doctors in the country, the Government having* mopjied them all up for service at the Front. He knew of places in New Zealand where they were offering as much as £950 a year tor a doctor and could not get one. This concluded the business and a hearty vote of thanks was accorded the Minister for the very patient hearing he had given to the various matters brought before him. The Minister then left tor Hokitika.

LEFT THE TOWN. Another resident of Kumara, Mr W. Smith,, bootmaker, has taken his departure from the town. It is Mr Smith’s intention for the future to make Greymouth his place of abode . FLAXMILL. The management of the flaxmill are just now busy putting in a branch line of pipes from the break in the main pipe line to the mill. When completed, the mill, which engages the services of a large number of employees, will be able to resume operations. OBITUARY. Another old pioneer of the Coast has passed to his rest in the person of Mr rl, Lincoln, whose death took place at the Old People’s Home on Thurshay morning. Deceased, who had attained the ripe old age of 90 years, came to the West Const 54 years ago and followed mining pursuits until advancing years compelled him to retire from active life. A quiet.

inoffensive man, deceased was beloved by all with whom he came in contact. The funeral took place on Friday afternoon. FUNERAL. The funeral of the late Patrick Kiely took place last Tuesday forenoon and was attended by a large concourse of mourners. The Rev. Father O’Hare officiated at the graveside. CONDOLENCE. At the conclusion of the reception' given to the Hon. G. W. Russel at the Town Hall on Wednesday a vote of condolence was passed to Mrs Seddon and family at the sad loss they had sustained through the death of Captain R. J. Seddon at the Front. The Minister promised to telegraph the resolution to Mrs Seddon on his arrival at Hokitika.