HOME FOR CONSUMPTIVES

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 14929, 29 February 1912, Page 4

HOME FOR CONSUMPTIVES

INSPECTION OF A SITE.

KNOX FARM ESTATE VISITED,

HOSPITAL BOARD'S POSITION

The suggestion having been made to the i Hospital and Charitable Aid Board by i Dr. Valentine (Inspector-General of HosI pitals) that an arrangement might bo come | to between the Board and the Knox trus- | tees, whereby a consumptive sanatorium J might bo erected on the Knox farm estate , at Tamaki West, some of the members of I the Board yesterday visited the site. j Those present were the chairman of the i Board (Mr. P. M. Mackay), Messrs. H. ! Schofield, E. H. Potter, and P. J. i Xerheny. The Board's secretary (Mr. H. !N. Garland), and the District Health i Officer (Dr. Makgill), accompanied tho , party.

j The property consists of 240 acres, on j tho immediate north of Mount Wellingj ton. A portion of the land is under cultivation. It has already been decided by i the Knox trustees to erect the Homo for Incurables on the eminence in the centre of tho area, and the object of the Board's visit to the site yesterday was to judge j whether a sanatorium could conveniently j be established on the same ground. -The concensus of opinion seemed to bo that j there would be ample room on the estate, | not only for the' Home for Incurables j and a sanatorium for consumptives, but j also for a Convalescent Home. It was i even suggested that the site would lend j itself well to the ultimate transference thereto of the Costley Home from its- present location at Epsom. Position of the Estate. The Knox farm estate lies in a fine position. It is sheltered from tho cold prevailing wind (south-west) by Mount Wellington. It is well open to the fresh air and sun, and has a magnificent outlook, the view taking in the Coromandel peninsula, Waiheke, and Tamaki river, and a good stretch of both sea and landscape. Tho soil being volcanic, driesquickly. As to accessibility, the opinion was expressed that the area, is situated just far enough from tho city to suit all purposes. It could be readily reached by a 'bus service from the Remuera tram line or from Ellerslie stationA Saving in Administration. An important question which the Hospital Board will take into consideration when the- matter is under discussion is the saving in cost and upkeep and administration, that could be effected were tho three institutions named (to say nothing in the meantime of the Costley Home propositi) to be built within the' same confines. In yesterday's informal talk over tho subject the view was expressed that one set of administrative officers under one medical superintendent and one matron, could serve the three institutions; that one laundry, one herd of cows, one gardener and farm manager, and one secretary and steward, would be all that would be required. In the event of the Board deciding to buy a portion of the property for a Consumptive Sanatorium and a Convalescent Home, it was suggested by one or two of the party that the Knox trustees might be disposed, after erecting their Home for Incurables in terms of the late Mrs. Knox's will, to hand it over to the Board's administration. Meantime those who inspected the site cam© away well pleased with if, and not disinclined to go fully into the matter with tho trustees to see what arrangement might be possible. Matter to be Discussed by Board, Tho remaining members of the Board will visit the site in a'day or two, and the whole question will be reopened at their next meeting. It is understood that should the Board decide to erect a Sanatorium for Consumptives the Government contemplate utilising the present institution at Cambridge as a working farm for consumptive patients, who have been cured sufficiently to allow of them doing light labour in the open-air.