CONSUMPTION HOSPITAL.

Press, Volume LV, Issue 16421, 15 January 1919, Page 5

CONSUMPTION HOSPITAL.

FOR NEW ZEALAND SOLDIERS.

The new tuberculosis _ hospital for New Zealand soldiers being erected in the neighbourhood of "Waipukurau is expected to be available for occupation by April next. The site, which is pronounced an excellent one by medical authorities, is situated about; four iniles west of Waipukurau, on the Waipukuiau-Hatuma road, and is on a hill sloping N.E., so that it always gets the sun. It is surrounded on three sides by the river. Good progress has been made in the erection of the administrative blocks for the medical superintendent, nurses, and medical orderlies, and the erection of the open-air shelters,_ which can be rapidly constructed, will soon be commenced. These shelters will comprise 32 of the two-bed type, two four-bed ones, and the remainder single. Altogether, accommodation will be provided for 100 cases, which can be easily extended to 130 or more if necessary. A large social hall and recreation room for the patients will be put up shortly by the Y.M.C.A., also workshops for repairs by the Red Cross. "The site covers a considerable area of ground, which will be worlced as a farm, both for the running of the hospital and the benefit of the patients. Already a crop of vegetables has been put in, a dairy herd is doing well, and an apiary is being started for the cultivation of bees. Tho water for the hospital will be pumped from the river. The road to the hospital being a specially good one should enable patients to be motored easily to and from the railway station. Major-General Sir A. W. Robin, General Officer Commanding the Forces, and Surgeon-General R. S. F. Henderson, C.8., Director-General of Medical Services, paid a visit of inspection to the hospital last week, and found that the work of orection was proceeding well up to contract time. In about three months the addition to the sanatorium on Cashmere Hills, Christcliurch, may be ready for use. This annexe will have accommodation for about fifty cases (in addition to tho present patients), and it will be capable of' extension to take' another fiftv men.