SOMES ISLAND

New Zealand Times, Volume XLIV, Issue 10284, 20 May 1919, Page 6

SOMES ISLAND

MINISTER'S INSPECTION

RENOVATION OF QUARANTINE

STATION,

"I regret that I did not do this three or four mouths ago," stated tho Hon. G. W. Russell, Minister for Public Health, to a "Times" representative after his visit of inspection to the quarantine station at Somes Island yesterday morning. The Minister added that he had made an inspection ol all tho buildings in connection with the quarantine station. "The buildings (he said) are in tho condition that might be expected after having been in occupation by German prisoners for nearly four years. That there aro possiole discomforts and inconveniences, I am quite prepared to admit; but, at tho same time, whatever is their condition, I .think it was good enough tor the persons who had occupied them for the last three and a half or four years." Some repairs and renovations are required, largely in tho way of repainting the interior and in some portions removing timber irom one building which has been lined originally with white pine, and in which the borer has made havoc. Tho under timber, however, is in perfectly sound condition, and there is not very much of tho building in which the lining will require to be removed. The buildings are somewhat old-fashioned, but Mr Russell considers that it would be a reckless waste of money to remove them. Instructions havo been given that complete renovation is to take place inside at once. The painting of tho outside will be left until times are more normal. The water supply at present, when put into complete order, will provide 38,000 gallons, and a tank which is now in course of erection on the hill, and into which the water will be pumped, will provide for another 35,000 gallons, and will enable a complete reticulation over, the whole of the buildings to be made. A considerable number of the windows have been broken. At present they are covered with the wire net ting, which was necessary when the buildings were ocoupied by the Germans. The whole of this will be immediately removed, and the Minister's impression is. that during the next three or four weeks a very great change will take place in tho buildings. The Public Health Department has not been able to obtain any hutments from the Defenco Department, those at Featherston, which were offered, being entirely unsuitable for the purpose. Consequently the erection of the new hutments will be postponed until the complete renovation of the present buildings has been effected. The Public Works Department is being asked to employ the utmost expedition in renovating the buildings now in existence, and the Ministei anticipates a report by to-day as to the labour that they are aible to command, and the period they will take to do the work. If necessary the Health Department will be prepared to assist in obtaining labour, eithor in "Wellington or. other centres, in order that the work may be done expeditiously. The present stretchers and bedding are to be removed, and 300 up-to-date iron bedsteads and bedding will be obtained. Hutments to accommodate £OO more men are to be provided. A salt water supply for the latrines, etc., is also to be arranged for. One of the problems to be dealt with, continued Mr Russell, is the road connecting the wharf with the buildings at the top of the island. As the distance is only about 150 yards as tho crow flies, he is" asking the Minister for Railways, if he will send one of his engineers to report on the desira-, bility of a cable tramway being laid with a double line, by which means the road can be done without. This is necessary, as there is no road metal upon the island, and consequently the existing road cannot possibly carry the heavy traffic. Mr Russell is asking that tho cabin tramway be so arranged that the cars going down will help to pull the others up, also for a report as to tho power that will be required to work the system. He is requesting that the matter be dealt with as urgently as possible. The Y.M.CA. hut which is on the island will be commandeered as an additional ward; and instructions have also been given for the preparation ot plans of a complete hospital in brick on portion of the land now occupied by tho Agricultural Department, which will bo requested to make this portion of the island available, -acaretaker's cottage will also be necessary in order that tho present excellent little hospital may be vacated and made available for use. ,

"With regard to the complaintß that have been made as to the condition of the buildings," added the Minister, "to anyone inspecting thorn as quarantine buildings, no doubt there is plenty of room for complaint, but the buildings are there, and paint, like charity, covers a multitude oi sins. All that is wanted, in my opinion, to bring the institution well up to date is to take the steps, that have now been ordered, and a very few weeks will, I believe, see the quarantine station/at Somes Island in an effective condition, while the new buildings that are to bo erected will increase the accommodation from the 300 that will bo available when renovations are, effected to 500 later on."