"TE WAIKATO" SANATORIUM.

Waikato Times, Volume LIV, Issue 6298, 12 December 1903, Page 2

"TE WAIKATO" SANATORIUM.

OPENED BY Sill JOSEPH WARD. THE FIGHT AGAINST TUBERCULOSIS. SUCCESSFUL GATHERING.

Yesterday afternoon the Government Sanatorium on the Maungakawa Ranges, five miles from C imbridge, for the open-air treatment of consumption, was formally opened by Sir Joseph Ward, K.C.M.G., as Minister for Public Health, and given the name of "Te Waikato Sanatorium." The Minister came down from Auckland by special train, accompanied by a large number of specially invited guests, while many more joined the tram en route, especially at Hamilton. JL'he weather which had lo iked ugly, heavy rain having fallen in the early morning, belied its threats and proved brilliantly fine. On reaching Cambridge at about noon, Sir Joseph Ward and party were welcomed on the railway platform by His Worship the Mayor (Mr i'hos. Wells) and members of the Borough Council, and a move was immediately made into the town where Sir Joseph Ward took luncheon with a large number of the party at the National Hotel, while others distributed themselves among the other licensed houses. Cambridge wore a holiday aspect, all places of business having been closed for the day. Luncheon over, conveyances were found to be in waiting to convey the whole party to the Sanatorium along the road which skirts the beautiful Domain with its shaded walks, recreation grounds and shining lake, pursues its level way among the meadows, and winds up the long ascent of Maungakawa, to where, 1,100 feet above the sea. the Sanatorium looks out over the favoured land of Waikato to blue Pirongia and the western ranges, or eastwards to the Thames Valley and Te Aroha mountain, and greets on clear dawns and evenings the snows of Ruapehu and Egiuont. Yesterday, the large gabled building,purchased a year ago from Mr Thornton, and since enlarged and Bet about with its groups of cheerfully painted sleeping shelters, looked like a kindly mether hen with a family of chicks at her feet, while the bright flower beds and the flags and banners hung about the verandah seemed to express a natural gladness at the beneficent uses of the place. Five and twenty patients are now undergoing the fresh air cure, and the number will soon be increased to thirty, still more admissions being contemplated when the accommodation can be further enlarged. The method of the cure is so well-known, and the institution itself has already been so fnlly described in these columns, that it is unnecessary to go into detail here. The company which gradually assembled in front of the house was a representative one. Amongst those present were Mr Justice Edwards, the Hons. Major Harris and T. Thompson, M.L.C.'s, Messrs Lang, Hemes, Fowlds, Lawry, Barber and Kidd, M.H.R.'s ; Ven. Archdeacons Willis and Calder, Rev. S. J. Gibson (Cambridge, representing the Methodist Synod), Revs. J. T. Pinfold (Methodist, Hamilton), J. Erwin (Presbyterian, Cambridge), Father Darby (Hamilton ind Cambridge), and Father Patterson and other clergy ; Professor Segar (Auckland University), the Hon. F. Dillingham, TJ. S. Consul, and Mr Green, Commissioner General for St. Louis Exposition; Drs. Brewis (Hamilton), Douglas (Waikato Hospital), and Kenny (Te Aroha), and a large number of Auckland medical men ; Mr T. E. Donne (Tourist Department) ; the Mayor of Cambridge (Mr T. Wells) and Crs. Dickenson, Hally, Roberts and Sanders ; the Mayor of Hamilton (Mr W. Dey) and Crs. Parr, Bettley, Salmon, McKee and Howden; Messrs Fisher (chairman Waipa County Council), John Gordon (chairman Kirikiriroa Road Board),R. Reynolds (chairman Pukekura Road Board), J. B. Teasdale (chairman Te Awamutu Town Board) ; H. J. Greenslade, G. Edgecumbe and V. E. Rice, sec., (Education Board); J. Forrest (president Waikato Farmers' Club), J. Barugh (president Waikato A. and P. Association), Fisher (President Waikato Central A. and P. Association); Clifton (Experimental Farm); Moss Davis (Auckland), R. McVeagh (Auckland), and many other leading settlers and residents of Waikato and Auckland. The Public Health Department was represented, besides the Minister, by Drs. Mason (Chief Health Officer), Valintine (Wellington District Health Officer), and Makgill (Auckland District Health Officer.) Apologies for absence were sent by the Premier and many others Mr Thomas Wells, Mayor of Cambridge,in opening the proceedings, briefly expressed his sense of the honour done to the district by the visit of the Minister to open an institution which would be of the geatest possible benefit to the community. He welcomed and introduced Sir Joseph Ward.

Sir Joseph Ward, who was received with much applause, said: It has been truly said that " Peace has her heroes no less than War," and nowhere has there been shown more self-sacrifice and devotion to duty, than among those who have striven to check the tide of disease and race degeneration. This institution,which I have now the great pleasure to formally declare open, marks a most impjrtant landmark in the history of preventative medicine. Time was, and not 30 many years ago, when to declare a person sufferiug from consumption was looked upon as tantamount to a suggestion that he must abandon all hope. Like the thunderstorm, the avalanche, or the flood, the terrible effects of this awful disease were deplored and prayed against, but few, or none essayed to stay what was looked upon as the inevitable. A disease which yearly in England and Wales alone claims over 60,000 victims had come to be regarded somewhat in the nature of a divine reproach. Not so now, however. Experience has shown that, taken in its early stages, consumption is indeed one of the most curable of all diseases. Medical men will tell you of the thousand and one cures which have been proclaimed,but it has been reserved for these later times to demonstrate the truth of the old Latin maxim, "Vis medicatrix naturae." We have come back to old Mother Nature for help. A well regulated, careful life in the open has been found to be of greater value than all drugs, and, by means of this sanatorium, I hope many may be restored to health, home and happiness and able to take again their places in the world of work. THE BEST NATIONAL ASSET. In this way, apart from any moral or sentimental aspect, and that feature of the work cannot be overestimated —the State will be amply repaid for its expenditure. After all it has to be remembered that the best asset a country can have is a healthy people. This economic aspect is one which I would like to impress deeply upon the minds of all. Dr. Hermann Biggs, a well-known New York authority, places the cost of tuberculosis to the people of the United States yearly at £66,000,003. They lose there every year by this fell disease 150,000 lives, which at £3OO each amounts to ,£ (•5,01)0,000. Add to this the loss of wages etc., during the time of illness at £21,000,000 and you find the total loss in one year of Think what that sum of money means. During the past thirty y.'ars the greater part of this colony has been traversed by the iron horse at a total cost in round figures of twenty millions—one third of what this dreadful disease has cost the United States in one year. In New York 1000 persons die every year of consumption. Dr Biggs calculates the loss

to New York city by putting a value of <£3oo upon each life at the average age at which deaths from tuberculosis occur. This gives a total value of the lives lost annually of £300,000 in the municipality of New York alone. A GOOD INVESTMENT.

But this is not all. For at least nine months prior to death these patients cannot work and the loss of service at a dollar a day together with food, nursing, medicines, attendance, etc., makes a further lost yearly to the municipality of £ 1,000,000. Just imagine, over four and a half millions of money loss to one municipality in one year - a sum large enough to enable us to complete not only the midland trunk railway so dear to the hearts of Aucklanders but also all the other main trunk lines in the colony as well as the tributary feeding lines, ""'he same authority states that the total expenditure on the care of these poor sufferers does not exceed £IOO,OOO a year—that is it does not exceed 2 per cent of the actual loss by the deaths, etc. That this expenditure, small in comparison as it is, ia doing good is shown by the fact that,

although there has been an increase of 70 per cent in the general population, the number of deaths from consumption is decreasing THE NEXT DEVELOPMENT. As I have already said this warfare against the greatest of modern scourges is an object very dear to my heart, and by the passing of recent legislation we are enabled to require every hospital board in districts well-known for their salubrious climate to establish small annexes for the purposo of dealing with consumption. Auckland, for instance, is justly famed for its beneficial climatic influences. Hamilton, New Plymouth, Otaki and Masterton, in the North Island, and in the South Island Nelson, Christchurch (where already a small beginning has beon made), Nasoby Dunedin, Lawrence and Queenstown, on Wakatipu, are all places noted for their benelicial climate. This power I look upon as a most valuable one, an 1 1 f'eul certain that there will be on all hands a very ready acquiescence in the suggested plan of campaign against, the disease. I fed sure that the hospital boards and the public generally will realise the necessity of joining hands for the purpose of providing an up-to-date system throughout our colony, so that suffering humanity and sorrowing friends may have hope infused into their hearts and have a chance of having their special cases treated under special circumstances and in a special way. The time has passed when there is anything in the shape of theory or assumption as to the effect of the modern cure of consumption. It is amongst the best professional men in the world recognised that the disease taken in its early stages is curable, and why should we not make provision not only for this generation, but for those who are to follow, to have the benefit of an institution such as this is, to as.sist in out one ot the greatest scourges the world has known ? Last year in this prosperous, healthy country of ours theio were, alas! some 800 deaths from this disease—many of these unfortunates were of course visitors who had come from many lands attracted by our climate - now, if' we assume that each poor soul was worth to the state £3OO, we find that there was an actual monetary loss to the colony of .£2.30,00:). I draw your attention to theie figures that even on the lowest of all the money spent on such institutions grounds is well spent money indeed. A LIFE-GIVING CLIMATE.

There is no work undertaken by the state in which I take greater interest, or in which 1 feel greater pride, than the establishment of this Mecca for poor suffering humanity. This beautiful spot was chosen only after the most careful survey of the whole colony, and the people of Cambridge in addition to their other sources of pride, must feel proud that their climate has been adjudged one of the most healthful and lifegiving in the whole of this wonderful land. There were many difficulties attached to the earlier parts of the work, and but for the self sacrifice and energy displayed by Mis 3 Rochfort and her nurses, the skill and wholeheartedness of Drs. Makgill and Roberts, they could not have been overcome. Now, however, we are on the threshold of a greater usefulness, and I ask the sympathy and help of all who have this cause of suffering humanity at heart to make this what I believe it soon will be one of the finest sanatoria in the whole world. THE PATIENTS. It gives me the greatest pleasure indeed to see amongst those around me some who ascended this hill full of sorrow and stricken in health not so long ago, and who have been restored to health and usefulness. That all the present inmates may soon reap the same lasting benefit is my most earnest wish. There have been many applicants for admission, and I know that many have suffered great disappointment at not being admitted. An institution of this nature is unlike au ordinary hospital. In order to receive permanent benefit a patient must stay here many months, whereas in an ordinary hospital patients are leaving every day or week. For the disappointed ones however I have some comfort to give. When the special wards, which I hope to have erected in connection with already established hospitals in districts which are well-known for tliGii' beneficial effects in this disease, are ready, I hope that no srfferer will have to apply in vain. All this requires time and money and very careful consideration, but it will be brought about in the fulness of time This sanatorium, "Te Waikato," which we are now publicly opening, is situated upon an area of of 1,01)0 acres of land, and it gives to the inmates of the institution the benefit of having a place sufficiently large that they can roam about in fine weather without feeling circumscribed, The total cost of the buildings which are erected on the most modern basis and including the roading to and from the Sanatorium is .£8,500, surely an infinitesimal sum when compared with the price of such institutions in continental countries, take for instance Hohenhoniff, which cost £ 100,000. DEPARTMENTAL OFFICERS.

I cannot conolude my observations without paying a tribute to the distinguished gentleman who occupies the position of Chief Health Officer for the colony. Needless to say I refer to Dr. Mason. Ho has brought to bear upon the duties attaching to his office the benefit of his high scientific atainments, as well as great knowledge of health matters generally, which have been of infinite value to this country. I aui sure the members of the noble profession to which he belongs will join with m© in stating that added to the skill and ability which lie possesses, Dr. Mason shows a gentle and kindly consideration for those whom ho professionally treats, and which adds materially to the good results which he would have achieved without the latter qualification. Dr. Mason is the permanent head of the Health Department in New Zealand, and it must be to him a source of satisfaction and pride that this humane institution erected under his direction has now attained the position which it occupies, and is the forerunner of other beneficent institutions that will be erected throughout the country. We are now in the proud position of having a Health Act which is acknowledged by sanitarians the world over to be more complete and serviceable than any other law in any English-speaking country. I would like also to say how much I appreciate the efforts of Dr. Makgill and Dr. Roberts, the very able representatives of the Health Department in the Auckland province. It must not be forgotten that in the establishment of a new Department, particularly one that the mass of people may not directly see, the responsible officers of the Department have difficult duties to perform. In the carrying of them out, they require to put duty before any other consideration, and I am sure that all who have been brought into contact with these gentlemen will admit that they have done their difficult and onerous duty in a manner which reflects the highest credit upon them.

All pages of our history glisten with the names of noble women. It has been one of the characteristics ot our race that we have had women at all times prepared to do heroic work for the benefit of their fellow beings, and 1 can with confidence class amongst these women the able and kindly matron of this iastitution, Miss Rochfort— I have had many opportunities entirely without her knowledge, of judging of the apprt>ci itinn and estemn with which she is regarded by all who have had the benefit of her tender care and her advice, and it adds to her womanly dignity when I say that she stands by her splendid work in the very forefront in connection with this institution. TWO HOMES. Yesterday I had the honour of taking patt in the opening ceremony of the Veterans' Home in Auckland, a noble institution erected for another class of our Colonists, those who fought and bled for the Empire in the past. Here to-day we are putting the coping stone upon another national memorial destined to be for all time a home for the relief of suffering humanity and which shows that even in theoe utilitarian days we can spare time to step aside to assist our afflicted brothers. It gives me the greatest pleasure to now declare the " Te Waikato " Sanatorium formally open. Mr F. W. Lang, M.H.R., said he felt it a great honour to address a few words to them on such an occasion as this—an occasion which he felt sure was highly gratifying to Sir Joseph Ward. Whenever a new administrative department was created there was a good deal of grumbling and criticism and the Department of Public Health had been no exception in this respect, but he wished to say that whether that criticism had been on the whole just or unjust, no one had ever heard him say a word against the establishment of the Consumptive Sanatorium. He thought the Department had shown good sense in placing the institution in his electorate, for the Waikato was the healthiest part of the colony, and it would hardly have been possible to select a more healthy spot than that on which they stood. He would like to supply an omission which Sir Joseph had made when he mentioned the names

of those to whose efforts the existence of this institution wag duo. He referred to Mr Ell, tho member for Christchurch, who had done a great deal both in tho House and out of it to arouse interest in this subject for many years. (Sir Joseph Ward assented). Concluding, Mr Lang congratulated those responsible on the good start that had been made, and hoped that the Sanatorium would succeed and prosper for the money devoted to it had been well spent. Mr G. Fowlds, M.H.R., in the course of a brief address said that Sir Joseph Ward as head of the Health Department deserved very great credit indeed for the [ way in which he had stood to his guns | and carried reforms which were for the good ! of the people, even when the people found I them irksome. Ho (the Minister) had not ; been deterred by fear of unpopularity, and ' the Health Department deserved and I would obtain the support and approval of I the whole community. The site of tho Sanatorium was an ideal one. It seemed to him as he stood there that there was nothing more beautiful in New Zealand j than the scene before him. If they could j not succeed in curing that insidious disease of consumption in the fresh air and sunshine of this lovely spot, surely it could not be accomplished anywhere. He hoped the Sanatorium would be growingly useful until the time came fur it to be shut up because there were no consumptive people left in Now Zealand. Dr. Pure has said that all medical men endorsed the success of this form of treatment for tuberculosis. Sanatoria like this relieved the physician of one of the saddest sides of his whole professional life. There were three distinct diseases for the treatment of which he thought the State should coue to the help of the medical mnn. First there was consumption, and second, that terrible scourge cancer, which he thought might for the present be left to the researches now being carried on in tho laboratories in the great centres of the old world. The third was alcoholism, and he was convinced that it would bo an exce 1 ■tit thing if the Department, could see its way | clear to enable medical men to place such victims as were now dying of acute alcoholism in special institutions. He desired to add that the whole medical profession of the colony had the greatest confidence in Dr. Mason, the Chief Health Officer, as well as in the other medical men officially connected with the Sanatorium, Drs. Makgill and Roberts.

Mr F. Lawry, M.11R., said ho was almost a Waikato settler, and if not, he would like to be one. After expressing warm sympathy with the work of the Department, and with the plan of erecting hospital annexes as outlined by Sir Joseph Ward, he said it seemed to him that the Minister was going to treat the Hospital Boards as Fharaoh treated the Isrealites when he forced them to make bricks without straw. How could the Boards erect these annexes unless Government granted money for tho purpose ? He was glad his friend Mr Barber, member for Wellington, was present to see this place, and if that gentleman moved for the establishment of such an institution in his district he (the speaker) would support him, Aucklander though he was. Sir Joseph Ward laughingly protested against Mr Lawry taking him into Egypt against his will and reminded him that, according to the legislation referred to,the Government would grant 24s for every £ spent by Hospital Boards on sanatorium annexes.

The Hon. T. Thompson, M.L.C., further emphasised tho sentiments expiessed by previous speakers. Mr W. H. Herries, M.H.R., was sorry he did not now represent Cambridge. It was the Commissioners' fault, not his. However, the district was no loser, for Mr Lang was a harder worker and a better member. He congratulated him on representing the healthiest place in New Zealand. The Sanatorium was a work which no one could object to and no one could cavil at.

Mr W. H. P. Barber, M.H.R. (Wellington), congratulated the people of this district on the charming site and delightful surroundings, which had so impressed him that he would not ask to have a sanatorium started near Wellington,as ho would rather see the patients sent here, although he was a very parochial member. Sir Joseph Ward said amidst laughter that in order that the brotherly feeling between Wellington and Auckland, which was so well known to exist, and had now been so happily shown, might be thoroughly cemented, he would ask another northern member, Mr Kidd, to speak.

Mr A lvidd, M.H.R., echoed the previous praises of the locality, averring that no fairer spot could be found on God's earth

and none more suitable for such an institution. He heartily approved of spending money on such a good work as they were celebrating. The rivalry between Wellington and Auckland simply cinsisted in each city doing its best. Dr J. M. Mason, Chief Health Officer, whose name was culled from the au lience, and who was greeted with hearty cheers, said he had l> j fore tint day met with far different receptions from Auckland audiences. It might be withiu the knowledge of those present that he had been accused of every crime outside the decalogue. He was certain that, if the work of fighting consumption were carried on as it had been begun, and if the system of hospital annexes were c irricd out, there would be no tuberculosis in New Zealand unless it w,as imported. Sir Joseph Ward had spoken of the economic aspect of the question rightly, for sentiment never got anything put on the estimates. The South African war caused in three years 2-1,000 deaths, but in England and Wales 70,000 persons died every year of consumption. Dr. Mason concluded with a graceful tribute to the work of the matron and staff.

Sir Joseph Ward theu unveiled a bras-? tablet, which is to be placed in the main building, recalliug as he did so, the old saying, " Happy is the bride, that the sun shines on," and declaring that the sunshine then falling on that tablet was a similar augury. The tablet bore the following inscription surmounted by the Royal Arms:—

HUE MAURIORA THIS, THE FIRST SANATORIUM FOR THE TREATMENT OK CONSUMPTION, WAS OPENED I!\' THE HON. SIR JOSEPH WARD, K.C.M.Gr. ON DECEMBER IITH, 1003. Medical Attendant: E. F. Roberts, M.B. Consulting Physician; R. 11. Makgill, M.D. Matron : Miss Rochfort. Chief Health Officer: J. M. Mason, M.D.

Sir Joseph Ward then proposed a vote of thanks to the Mayor of Cambridge for presiding and for the hearty hospitality extended to himself and the other visitors. It had proved a most enjoyable outing, though it was a little diflicult get-ing up the hill, but he believed that as a result of this visit they would soon see some stones thrown upon that road. Ho then called for three cheers for fhe Mayor and people ot Cambridge, which were heartily given.

Mr Wells briefly returned thanks and railed cheers for Sir Joseph Ward. The assembly again viciferously responded and followed with cheers for the medical officers and the matron and start. This concluded the proceedings, and the gathering responding to an invitation extended by the Minister on behalf of the matron, concentrated upon afternoon tea, which the warm sunshine and appetising mountain air had made doubly desirable. Since the Sanatorium was last described in these columns several readily noticeable additions to thr equipment have been effected, among them a fine dining room with open sides, a revolving shelter with one open and windows and ventilators on the other sides, capable of being turned to suit any wind. The electric light and bells have been for some time installed, a 7 h p. engine actuating the dynamos and pumping the water which supplied the premises from the catchment basin in the near gully to a reservoir on the hill top 15d feet above the main building. Those who went further afield saw sometiling of the thousand acres of country which are under the competent care of Mr E. It. Horneman, the manager. In addition to the paddocks already in grass, three hundred acres of manuka have lately been felled, and are now in need of more labour and expenditure to make them grow feed for the horses and other stock and enable a large part of the produce consumed at the institution to be grown on the grounds. As the visitors wended their way to the vehicles congratulations and expressions of pleasure were heard on all sides. The complete success of the function must have been a matter of great satisfaction to thoee who ihad worked with such zeal and dis-"*

cietionto make it what 11 waf.Ti.o-oiuciUuO I Drs. Meson, Makgill and Roberts, Mr Horncman, Miss Rock fort ;.nd hor stall who were willingly absisted by many of the and the employees. ihe Major of Cambridge deserves everybody's thanks for the thoroughness and generosity with which ho worked and organised success, and in all he was capitally backed up by the Borough Council. Residents and neighbouring settlers generally responded to his request to lend conveyances, and as a result all the visitors —(the number was estimated at 800) were aide to ride up and back free of cost. Messrs Souter and Co. set a splendid example by giving the services of no less than seven vehicles with drivers and horses. Only one mishap occurred, and that resulted no personal injury or obstruction of traffic, the wheel of oue buggy being btoken on the way up. The success of the whole affair marked it as a credit to Cambridge, to the Waikato and to New Zealand.

DEPUTATION'S. After dinner, which was partaken of informally at the various hotels, a wide hospitality being again extended, a number of deputations waited upon Sir Joseph Ward, being introduced by Mr Lang, M.H.R. Those from the Cambridge Borough Council "came fir-t, the chief spokesman being the M c 7. supported by Councillors specially ifeputed to assist hun in each matter. HIGH IJiVICL HRIDGK. In this matter, which has already been fully dealt with in our columns, Mr Wells described the bridge as having gone beyond repair and stated that the Council wished to be put in a position to accept a tender either for a steel and ironbark bridge at about ,£5,500, or a steel bridge at ,£IO,OOO, more or less. He hoped the Government would grant £ for £, or failing that, he would remind him of a | promise of/3000 made to another deputation in February last, j Sir Joseph Ward was aware of the j promise made and the Government made ; a rule of ratifying any promise made by one of its members. He could not say definitely what would be done, as the matter was in the Department of the Minister for Public \V orks, who had already spoken to him about it. He (the speaker) would again bring it before his colleague and would do what he could to have his j original promise ratified. RAILWAY ACCOMMODATION. The Mayor spoke of the inadequacy of I the goods shed for the traffic done, the ! extremely small size of the waiting room, j the understating of the station, and the need for a verandah over the passenger platform He supported these requests, which have received attention in our columns, by figures showing the traffic at Cambridge to be greater than at other stations which are better provided Sir Joseph Ward expressed a desire to grant every reasonable facility, but he had similar requests from all over the colony, and could not possibly grant them all. He would look into each of the matters and obtain reports from the responsible officials to see whether he would be justified in putting any of these matters in the list of urgent works. He regarded the verandah as somewhat of a luxury, at least when compared with the need of opening up communication in the remoter districts, and granting reductions 011 the freight of produce. He was asked for station verandahs wherever he went and it was a gratifying sign of the growth of the traffic. POST office. The Mayor urged that a new and larger post office was needed for Cambridge. The post and telegraph business had doubled in the last three years. They also wished the office (which is now in grade 3) raised one grade if not two. Mr Wells produced statistics showing that other offices doing less business were graded higher Sir Joseph Ward said the grading of post offices throughout the colony was looked into from time to time to keep pace with the growth of the various districts. It sometimes happened that he d'.d not lift an office to a higher grade where it apparently ought to be done, because it would mean the shifting of the postmaster and replacing him by a man from elsewhere who stood next for promotion. In saying this, he would impress upon them that he was not making any reference to their own position locally, but was speaking generally. It was often hard foi a man who had served a district long and faithfully and assisted in its progress to have to break up his home and go to a strange place. As for a new post office, the present year was a very bad one in which to ask for any new building. Owing to circumstances out side the colony, and which affected all Governments which had to rely 011 England for money, and which had made it difficult even for British municipalities to borrow, though they were looked upon more favourably by the Louaon money market than many of the self-governing colonies. Consequently the public buildings vote had been cut down so that the more urgent matter of roads and bridges might suffer as little as possible. He ! could not hold out a prospect of a new j post office at a definite date, but he would get a report and would endeavour J to grant the facilities required by such a j growing and important town, j Mr Wells said there was ail urgent need I for ventilation in the public room at the office.

Mr Lang produced a letter in which Sir J. Ward undertook to class this as an urgent work, and the Minister reiterated the promise.

The latter part of the evening was spent at a social in the Alexandra Hall. Our report of this and of other deputations will appear on Monday. The special train left at 10 p.m., taking passengers back to Auckland and intermediate stations, while Sir Joseph Ward proceeded to Rotorua.