THE NEW CONVALESCENT STATION ON QUAIL ISLAND.

Globe, Volume II, Issue 112, 9 October 1874, Page 3

THE NEW CONVALESCENT STATION ON QUAIL ISLAND.

His honor the Superintendent and his Executive and the Provincial Council of this province deserve the greatest credit for the unceasing care they have taken of the immigrants arriving in Lyttelton. We all know that they have arrived in such numbers that people have exclaimed what can be done with them ? And yet, thanks to the energy of the Government and Immigration officers, something has been done with them, and most of them have now not only ceased to be an incumbrance, but are not only gaining an independence, but adding in no small degree to the wealth and prosperity of the province. There is nothing more disheartening to new arrivals than a cold reception, but in this port they have always received a cordial welcome anti been treated as well (in fact in most cases, better) than they ever were before. It has been necessary to place several vessels arriving with infectious diseases on board, in quarantine, and Riga Island was especially selected for this purpose, and handsome buildings erected upon it for their accommodation. It being found undesirable to mix those actually suffering from disease with convalescents and healthy passengers from the same vessel, a convalescent ward was erected in Camp Bay, but found insufficient for requirements and unsuitable in several respects. It was therefore determined to form a new station for convalescents on Quail Island, and on Wednesday we were kindly invited by Mr March, the Immigration Officer, to accompany him to inspect the new buildings. On arrival there, we could not help being struck at the admirable adaptation of the spot selected for such a purpose. The buildings are beautifully situated in a fine bay, with a long beach composed of sand and minute shells, forming an admirable landing place where stores could be landed in any weather. The background consists of fine grassy slopes, and it is well sheltered from the wind by the Peninsula bills We understand that convalescents will have the run of the whole island, which is of considerable extent, and this alone renders it far superior to most quarantine stations where the spiace is confined. We had an excellent opportunity of judging of the aspect of the place in severe weather, as we were there during the severe storm on Wednesday, and though the place is more open to a S.W.wind than any other, we found it well sheltered comparatively speaking. The buildings are capable of accommodating about 200 people, and consist of two large wards, each containing twelve rooms, ten by ten, a large day room, and a kitchen. The contractor for the buildings was Mr Gee, and we must congratulate him unon the manner in which they have been erected ; they were built under the supervision of the Provincial Engineer. The two large wards are intended for sleeping rooms for families, and are wooden buildings with galvanised iron roofs, capitally lined with Baltic timber. The fastenings for the windows and all other appliances tor ventilation have been most carefully attended to. A passage runs between the two rows of rooms, six of the twelve being on each side. They are both finished with guttering and two 400 gallon tanks. Ihe bunks are not yet fitted up, but the timber is all on the ground, and consists of wellseasoned boards that formed the fittings of the Carisbrook Castle. Twenty 400 gallon tanks were procured for the station from the same ship. The day room is a large buildin,, built iu the same manner, and will contarn a large stove and proper number of forms and tabks. The kitchen is very large, and so arranged that it can be" utilised as a dining room for the single men, if necessary. It contains a capital stove, capable of cooking for more than 200 people, and was purchased from the Varuna. We came away much pleased with the arrangements, as far as they are completed, iu spite of the unfavourable aspect under which we saw them, and cannot help praising the spirited manner in which our provincial authorities carry out their arrangements as far as immigration is concerned.