NOT FIT TO LIVE IN.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLVII, Issue 14492, 5 October 1910, Page 8

NOT FIT TO LIVE IN.

GOVERNOR'S NEW RESIDENCE. OUTBREAK OF SICKNESS. LORD AND LADY ISLINGTON LEAVE. [BX TELEGRAPH.—SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT.] "Wellington, Tuesday. The trouble of the sickness at Government House is causing a good deal of discomfort and some alarm to the inmates, and would seem to indicate either that the Public Works Department is at fault or that the erection of the building on the old mental hospital site was not advisable. The general opinion in Wellington is that the site chosen is for various reasons, apart from the present trouble, not a good one. The house is certainly in a very exposed situation. The present trouble appears to be in regard to sanitation somewhere in connection with the buildings. Insanitary conditions obtain and it seems certain that this has been the cause of the indisposition among the members of the staff. The matter is a serious one. No fewer than nine members of the staff have been incapacitated during the past four or five days, including two of His Excellency's personal staff. The full strength of the Public Works Department's experts have been called in to put matters right. Another case of sickness has been reported to-day, this being the tenth within the past few days. The district engineer (Mr. Louch) and the district health officer (Dr. Frengley) have both been engaged upon the inquiry' throughout the day. It is expected that the trouble will be found to have arisen from the old mental hospital, which was removed to make room for Government House. The trouble became so serious that Lady Islington left Government House lor the Governor's private residence at Featherston. She was accompanied by her daughter, the Hon. Joan Dickson Poynder, and Miss Stapleton Cotton. The Governor is to leave for Featherston this evening by motor car. "'All social engagements at Government House have been cancelled for the time being. These include luncheon and dinner parties to members of Parliament and their wives.