CONVALESCENT CAMP.

Wanganui Herald, Volume L, Issue 14700, 3 September 1915, Page 6

CONVALESCENT CAMP.

WOUNDED SOLDIERS FOR ROTORUA. HON. C, W. RUSSeLI'S A7TRAC- : TIVE PLAN. (By Telegraph.—Special to "Herald.”) ' : WELLINGTON, September’3. Rotorua;-’with' its;mineral springs, hot oaths, and geysers, is to bo utilised as an attractive convalescent resort for invalid soldiers. The lion. G. W. Russell (Minister in Charge of Hospitals) outlined to your correspondent the proposals, which also'involve ;-the rise of .Hanmcr Springs as a similar resort for, South Island soldiers, who will thus wiif hack health and strength, - ■ The -Minister visited Rotorua during: his week-end trip to the north. The present sanatorium at Rotorua, is to be enlarged, and the'staff under the control of Dr. Herbert, the balneologist, will bo enlarged'to deal with the additional patients., The appliances at Rotorua are similar to’those which have played a ' prominent part at English and French spas in restoring wounded soldiers to health.;-y/ As .a significant indication of the’value attached to such resorts ■ hv the military authorities, Jlr Russell mentioned that within three days of the declaration of war, the. whole of the mineral water resorts in Britain and France were taken for use-of soldiers. It is intended, continued Mr Russell, ■to establish a 'convalescent camp on Pukeroa Hill,' overlooking Lake Rotorua, tho spa, ahd the town. Every provision wll be made for drainage and sanitation, and the beautifully situated .camp will have unrivalled advantages in helping tpirestore health and vigor to mu' returned soldiers. Tt is intended ' that, Rotorua shall be used for the last stage •of the moh’fi, convalescence prior to their return to-the'firing line or their discharge to resume civil life. The earnn will bo quipped with shelters -designed on the lines of the Great Eastern Hosnital, Cambridge,' where success has been obtained in healing' treatment of wounded soldiers. As it is a eamo. added tire-Minister.-the -whole of the men residing in it will be. under si riot military discipline'.'-"N ■ THE USE OF HAMMER. The Minister mentioned'that Hanmer borings, thq chief mineral”water resort of the South Island, will'be as far as nossible provided with appliances and instruments simitar to the'equipment at, (lie Eotohin hydropathic 'establishment, and the staff., strengthened so that South Island soldiers may enjoy the advantages of the place while winning back their ■health. -. As-a result of a deputation, of, Auckland bowlers who wished to give, practical ■■assistance in the work of earing for the returned wounded, the North Island bowlers , will co-operate in assisting to carry out the Rotorua convalescent camp scheme, and the Hon. G. .W. Russell hopes that South Island followers of the game will'show similar interest in ■what is to be. nrovided at Hanmcr for the soldiers who return invalided , to that, part of New Zealand. . ..