A GENEROUS OFFER

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 2911, 25 October 1916, Page 6

A GENEROUS OFFER

TO BENEFIT RETURNED SOLDIERS. fcßr Telegraph—Frees Association.

Christchurcli, October 24. Tho Hon. G. W'. Russell stated tonight that tho Mayor of Christchurcli had informed him that a Christchurcli gentleman had mado a very nandsonie offer of a valuable property in Ivorth Canterbury, which would boXplaced at the disposal of tho Department, free of cost, for tho benefit of soldiers for a space of five years. Mr. Russoll said ho had not received all the details of tho offer, hut ho could, say at once that the owner of tho liropeSfy placed it unconditionally at the disposal of the Department. It would certainly be accepted with sincere gratitude , yi hen I say unconditionally," said Mr. Russell, "I mean as regards the class of soldier patient I can place there. I could not consent to havo this placo taking over, the same class of patient that could ho sent in tho ordinary way to tho Queen Mary Hospital, as that would merely bo overlapping, and would wasto money which ; has been spent in erecting and equipping the hospital at Haumer, but if I could send consumptive patients to this ostato it would work in very well indeed. Shelter for pationts could bo erected in suitable places in tho grounds surrounding tho house, which could in turn he very conveniently used as an administrative block, and tho whole institution could. accommodate returned soldiers from the northern portion of tho South Island who showed signs of having contracted consumption." .At tho City Council to-night theMayor announced that tho property alluded to was the homestead block of Glenmark, and tho maker of the offer was Mr. Ronald O. Duncan. The

block consists of 309 acres, together with tho homestead buildings, gardens, vinery, and orchard.