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Hokitika Guardian, 25 March 1924, Page 4

A MINISTER’S REMARKS WESTLAND MENTAL HOSPITAL. WELLINGTON, March 22. When the Minister of Health (the Hon. Sir Maui Pomare) visited the West Coast recently he was reported in the “Grey River Argus” to have described the condition in the Westland Mental Hospital as being “nothing better than Bedlam.” In case it should be inferred that the Minister had alluded to the general administration of the institution, the Minister stated to a “Post” reporter to-day that his remark was merely in reference to that portion of the building which had formerly been a gaol, and which the mental hospital authorities had been forced to c.s 2 been lire of exigencies cf space, “i could not apply the remark to tin whole institution,” said the Mini; ter, “when the facts arc that wo have nearly completed a new block there. As a matter of fact, some of the new building is already in use. A man would be foolish to sav such a tiling in reference to a new building. I was very glad, indeed, to see the new block so near completion. No reflection was meant, either on the present or former j administrative staffs of the hospital. Those who were formerly responsible for the administration there were forced to | use the old gaol building to meet f contingency that arose, and I only meant that that building was unsuitable. I said that I was very glad to see that the early completion of the new block would mean that it would soon be possible to obviate continuing the use of the old gaol building.” The Minister added that in Dr. Buchanan, the Medical Superintendent of the Westland Mental Hospital,’ the Department had a most excellent man. who was up-to-date in his methods and working on the right lines. IVitli reference to the general cpicstion of administration of mental hospitals in tile Dominion, Sir Maui Pomare stated that ho did not- know of any country in the world which was doing better than Now Zealand in this respect. “That is tile opinion I have formed from my personal observations in my inspections of these institutions.' stated tlio Minister. “They are all well-conducted.’’