SAMOAN DELEGATION.

Wairarapa Age, 4 July 1936, Page 3

SAMOAN DELEGATION.

INSPECTION OF HOSPITALS. POST-NATAL CLINIC WANTED. APIA, July 1. The New Zealand Ministerial delegation visited the public hospital at Apia to-day and found that the chief medical officer (Dr. P. J. Monaghan) and his staff were rendering most valuable service under very difficult conditions, particularly from the fact that no improvement has been made to the institution for a number of years and that there is urgent need for some outlay in the provision of more suitable buildings and other facilities to meet the growing requirements of the island. The chief medical officer is anxious to accelerate his hospital work in outlying villages, and is shaping his organisation accordingly. One of the things requiring immediate attention is the establishment of a post-natal clinic for special care and attention of children who are weak at birth. The Minister is concerned at the comparatively high infant mortality rate here. The delegation was impressed with the results being obtained from the system adopted by the Administration of sending Samoan youths to Suva for training in hospital work. In the afternoon the party visited and was entertained at the Marist Brothers’ school, which is competently controlled by Brother Bernardine and a very efficient staff. Later an inspection was made of the prison and the hydro-electric works, both of which were commented on favourably by Mr. Langstone and Mr. O’Brien. The delegation leaves to-mor-row on a tour of the outlying districts, and will return to Apia on Sunday. The weather is brilliantly fine, and the New Zealanders are finding the heat very trying.