HOSPITAL SHIP MAHEMO

Otago Daily Times, Issue 16591, 14 January 1916, Page 5

HOSPITAL SHIP MAHEMO

: UNSAHSFACTOKT CONDITIONS.. In a new coat of fresh white parnt—effectually obliterating all traces of her long sea voyage—the hospital ship Maheno cairns'; out of the dock at Port Chalmers yesterday morning' and anchored alongside the George' street pier. _ Although the paint effected a* transformation in the exterior of the vessel, and again imparted to her an appearance of immaculate cleanliness, it oould - not ' remedy the disorder that prevailed within, nor could it efface , the persistent rumour* that all had not been well upon the vessel during the course of her ministrations 'to' our wounded soldiers. When the interior, fittings of the ship came to be overhauled'by the large staff of men engaged upon her, , evidences were found that pointed to thfc 1 - existence of an unsatisfactory state of affairs.' The vessel's condition was generally marked - by a lack of cleanliness not usually associ-, ated with a hospital. Ia fact, while several, days have been occupied in' again makings her reasonably presentable, that task is not yet completed. , During the greater part of yesterday large number of men were empioyed in'th6 work of removing from one of the hqlda a considerable quantity of the vessel's original cargo. This consisted of packmgr cases, bales of clothing, 6crim-covered hamv pers, ctc., which, whatever their contents— a matter regarding which those engaged on 1 the work formed, of course, their own impressions, erroneous or otherwise—have not been free from the molestations of rata that swarmed the vessel. The immediate f destination of these goods was one of- the wharf sheds at Port Chalmers, where, they are: to be opened to-day. The vessel was inspected yesterday by some members-, of the local medical and military staff, but 1 with what result cannot vet be ascertained. It id asserted that at least two valuable surgical instruments were left behind on , the ship by the staff, and that there was an ' unseemly profusion of bandages and dress- ! ings, while phonograph records could be had for the picking up. Despite swhat has been said to the contrary, the rumour persists that the vessel did not carry a strikingly happy family. Among some of those who were on board the vessel it is definitely stated' that friction undoubtedly existed between the medical and the nautical staffs, as a result of which ( there were fairly frequent cable commnnica- ' tions with the authorities eshore. It is expected that work on the Maheno •. will be completed about January 20, and that new arrangements will then be made - for her despatch abroad. f ,