He Didn’t Know

Manawatu Times, Volume 61, Issue 6, 8 January 1936, Page 6

He Didn’t Know

Thai There Was Anything So Dilapidated in City

MINISTER INSPECTS PLANT RESEARCH LABORATORIES

“What do you think of our Plant Kcscarch Station buildings,” a reporter asked of Hon. D. G. Sullivan, Minister in charge of Scientilic and Industrial Research, after he had inspected the Princess street laboratories yesterday afternoon.

“Well,” replied the Minister, “as you represent a decent daily journal, 1 refrain from expressing an opinion.”

While inspecting the interior accommodation, Mr Sullivan remarked that he didn’t know there was anything so dilapidated in Palmerston North. “These are the famous laboratories,” was how Dr. If. Marsden, secretary of tho Department of Industrial and Scientilic Research, introduced tho Minister to tlio two one-time dwellings that act as offices for the Plant Research Station workers, as they entered through the gateway. Inside Mr J. Hodgens, M.P., told the Minister to look nt the celling, which was widely stained where leaks had come through tho roof. The Minister looked up as requested and laughed. There followed a rapid inspection of the various rooms of one of the houses and as the Minister was travelling behind time, Mr A. 11. Cockayne, Assistant Director of Agriculture, endeavoured to cut the visit short by explaining that there was another house as bad next door, which there was really no need to look at. Mr J. C. Neill, at present head of the mycologieal section of the station, was insistent, however, that the Minister should sec tho other house and this was done.

When it was "suggested to Dr. Marsden that the Minister’s facial expressions of surprise should be recorded in a photograph, the former gave the assurance that there was no need as the Minister was going to fix everything up.