CONSUMPTIVE SOLDIERS AND OPEN-AIR LIFE.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XLV, Issue 11750, 10 February 1919, Page 6

CONSUMPTIVE SOLDIERS AND OPEN-AIR LIFE.

THE WAIPOKURAU FARM, Wellington, February 5. For oar soldiers who come back with tubercular trouble, the Defence Department Is providing special treatment, with ample opportunities for the open-air life, and light but useful occupation. The Minister of Defence, Sir James Allen recently visited the Defence Department’s’farm near Waipnkurua to see how the arrangements for the reception of soldier patients are progressing. On his return he gave some details of the scheme. The farm, bo stated, is situated about two and a half miles from Waipukurau, the Hawkes Bay township, and has the advantages of a beautiful climate, and a fine view. There are 326 acres of first class land. He found the building operations well in band, and anticipates that the contract will be completed by the end of April. Trees for shelter have beenji lauted, and the farm is in running order. The cows are there, the garden planted, end the vegetables will be availablewhen the soldier patients arrive. There is also an orchard, with an orchardist in charge of orchard and garden. Mr W. E. Newton, a returned soldier, with an outstandingly good knowledge and experience of farm matters, has been appointed farm manager and instructor. “Soldiers suffering from tubercular trouble,” said Sir James Allen, “will go to Waipnkurna farm in the same way aa they would go to an ordinary hosipital for free treatment, and they will take part in farming operations, or gardening, or orchard work, according as the medical officer considers it likely to help in their recovery Plenty of provision has been made for their amusement The Y M O A are putting up a large hall, and the Red Cross is providing workshops for vocational training suitable for patients We hope to make provision for over a hundred patients, and this number could ba doubled, though I am advised; that it will not be good policy to have more than 150 patients in any sanitorinm. ”

‘ T am glad to say that we shall have the valuable services of Dr Blackmore, the head of the Cashmere Hill Sanatorium, who will go to Waipukurau to give the institution a start He will probably stay there for three or four months, and lam pleased that he is giving us this assistance, for I regard him as probably the foremost authority in the Dominion on the treatment of consumption. CASHMERE HILLS, The Defence Department is also providing additional accommodation for the . treatment of consumptive soldiers at Cashmere Hills sanitarium, Cbris'cbnrch. The Minister regards this institution aa particularly well placed, for the patients have a glorious view out to sea, across the Canterbury Plains, and ou a fine day a range of panorama extending up to the Kaikonras. “We are making provision,” said Sir James Allen, “for about fifty patients, and we have already twenty or thirty in the main sanitorium Ths extensions designed can be nntil we can accomodate 130 patients.”