ADVANTAGES OF TIMARU

Timaru Herald, Volume CLIII, Issue 22529, 13 March 1943, Page 4

ADVANTAGES OF TIMARU

Convalescent Home For Soldiers Appeal To American Authorities Recently the Mayor, Mr A. E. S. Hanan, wrote to the Minister of Defence, the Hon. F. Jones, pointing out the advantage which Timaru possessed for the establishment of a military hospital in this town. He stated that records showed that the town enjoyed as much sunshine in the winter as in the summer, that it had ready access to high altitude country and that it was within easy rail, air and sea communication with other centres.

To this request Mr Hanan has received the following reply from the Minister of Health, the Hon. A. H. Nordmever: “Your letter addressed to my colleague, the Hon. the Minister of Defence, has been referred to me for reply as arrangements for the treatment of returned servicemen are the concern of my Dpartment.

“Whilst thanking you for calling my attention to the accommodation available at Timaru, I regret to advise that it is unlikely that it will be required. Arising out of experience gained during the last war the Government has decided that as far as possible treatment shall be confined to large institutions where specialist sei vices and treatment facilities w'hich otherwise would be unobtanable can be provided.”

The Mayor explained that what he had in view was not so much a hospital as a convalescent home for soldiers in Timaru, and he had since sent the following letter to Mr J Enders, American Red Cross Commissioner, Wellington:— “I notice in the newspapers that some £500.000 is to be spent for erecting a military hospital for the American troops in New Zealand, and it has occurred to me that possibly this might be accompanied by a convalescent institution. if so I venture to bring before you the claims of Timaru for consideration.

“Timaru has an equable climate with no great extremes, and its winter is mild. It can offer sea air, with bathingon Caroline Bay. which is the finest sand bathing beach in New Zealand. On the beach, also, we have in addition to the manv attractions for convalescents a massage institution. If high mountain air is required for some of the men, then Timaru is linked up with the Hermitage. Mount Cook, or Takapo House on the shores of Lake Tekapo. Timaru is well equipped in every way as a health resort for those convalescing from serious illness or injury.” The Mayor said that he had not yet received a reply.