CONVALESCENT CAMPS
SIR FRANCIS -BELL'S OFFER ACCEPTED
LOWRY BAY RESIDENCE FOR
SOLDIERS
GOVERNMENT'S NEW PROPOSALS
Many months ago, as soon as it was evident that presently there would be returning to New Zealand many sick and wounded soldiers, Sir Francis Bell offered his property at' Lowry Bay to the Government as a hospital for returned soldiers! IS umbers of other generous oilers were made at the same time, but they were not immediately /accepted.'! Tho Government has now taken advantage'.oi. Kir Francis Bell's offer, and his property at Lowry Bay will shortly be used as a rest-place or hospital for' couvaicsceut soldiers. There are three houses In all, two. big residences and one cottage. There are several acres of bcauUlul lawns and gardens, and behind the houses are upwards of: 200 acres of native busn, through which patlis have been cut and made. The .lawns run ; down almost ,to the water's edge,. being separated i from the lshoi;e only by the road. The spot is sheltered froin the southerly and easterly weather, and is partly sheltered from the northerly. . "The-offer- is a most generous one. absolutely unhampered by any conditions," said,the don. G. "W. Russell, referring .to the rubject last night. "Accompanied by Dr.- Yalintine, In-Bpector-General. '. of Hospitals, and ; Colonel Hope, Lewis, Inspecting Officer •for the Defence and Public Health Defnrtments, I inspected the property on. today last. Wo were shown over the buildings and grounds by Mrs. 11. H. Kolleston, Sir Francis Bell's daughter. Tho property consists of the residence now occupied by Sir Francis Bell, the rosidenco formerly occupied by Mr. il'earce,..a,cottage,.suitable, for the staff or a hospital, ' and " there is also a motor garage. Thero -will be accommodation for. at,least 40 'soldiers'. ,'On. behalf of the Government 1 have ..gratefully accepted the generous offer of Sir Francis Bell. _;_ ' . ■v-.The climate' is. liild. and the conditions" will .be .absolutely . ideal for the mt%. located there. It will be used as •a ' convalescent • station for officers and men.'f Ample facilities are available for 'sea'"bathing; and . we have, already-dis-covered, that sea bathing is very effectual in restoring to health men who are invalided:.; i'li-is" hoped-that the place will be 7 fully occupied at an early date, .diers; which offers advantages similar to Already;there.is atPuketereki, near Dunedinja home ■ for. convalescent soldiers which offors -advantages similar to those of'Lowry Bay. . The Otago institution; however," is controlled and maintained, by the Dunedin ' Patriotic Committee. . 'Where it is found that the treatment of soldiers a.t the thermal spas of Rotorua or Hanmerjs not effective, they will be given treatment at Lowry Bay, and medical superintendents will be instructed that all special cases which require the class of treatment that can be given at Sir Francis Bell's home, are to be removed there at the earliest opportunity. "While I am on this subject, I should like;.to say that lam of opinion that up till the present the convalescent camps have not been used to the full extent which .was' contemplated and intended . when, they were established," Mr. Russell continued. "It is a fact, however, that a large number of men, have been restored to health very ■rapidly, either during the sea voyage or since their return to New Zealand. At tho present time. the total number of men "in -hospitals is about 250, of whom about 140 are at Rotorua, either in the sanatorium, which is being used as ahospital, or in the King George V Hospital, which is heiiig used as a convalescent camp. With the idea of getting the men out. of the ordinary, civilian hospitals, and into the convalescent camps as quickly as possible, circulars have now been sent to every medical superintendent to the effect that as soon as id on approach' a fair condition of convalescence they are to be sent to Rotorua." or-. Harimer for -the remainder of their treatment-. In addition to the men -who are hospital patients within the hospitals,;'there are also now over 200 out-patients of hospitals. These are men who are residing in their homes or in lodgings, and are being treated for injuries or ailnienfs contracted on active .service.. I intend to have all tlieso casys overhauled with a view to these mien being .put into convalescent camps..wherever the circumstances permit, in order that they may be properly treated, and that the Government may carry .out its obligation to raise men, where possible,,to the standard of health they were in when they enlisted. "The Rotorua camp is now in full Working order, and all the Teports I have received indicate that the men are progressing very favourably and gaining li'ealtlrfapidlyrThe Internal Affairs Department lias given special facilities to the-men to go on the lakes in one of the Government'launches fishing, and the trout they catch is used as part.of the diet at the camp. The cost of maintenance is most satisfactory, and cornpares'- very favourably with what the Government is paying for tho support and maintenance of the mon _in the hospitals. - The buildings at Hanmer';are.progressing very rapidly, arid-it"jSi'.hope'd ..that before very long will'-be ready for opening."
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Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2712, 6 March 1916, Page 6
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843CONVALESCENT CAMPS Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2712, 6 March 1916, Page 6
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