HON. G. W. RUSSELL'S VISIT.

Taranaki Daily News, 3 April 1917, Page 4

HON. G. W. RUSSELL'S VISIT.

THE HOSPITAL AND OLD PEOPLE' 3 nOME. The Hon. G, W. Russell, Minister for Internal Affairs, spent a busy day yesterday. In the morning he accompanied Messrß F. C. J, Beljringcr (chairman of the Tarunaki Hospital and Charitable Aid Board) and • Graham (the secretary). 11. .1. Okey, f M.l>. for Taranafcii ami C. 11. Uurgcsd, Mayor of New Plymouth, he visited the Old People's Homo and thoroughly inspected the building, being shown over it by the acting- manager, Air. Adams. He also had ft chat with several of the inmates. The milking shed and the grounds were inspected. The Minister expressed himself as very pleased with tho situation and appointments at the Home. The Minister U"'" -.visited the new hospital, over w" .■ was conducted by Dr. %A. \ t medical superintendent, and Mjs» wn, matron. Ha took a keen inu. e .,, in the general working of the in.-.uition, and several matters of general interest to the Board wore touched on. the old hospital and the isolation block, as well as the proposed site of the none*' home, were visited. The question ot providing the necessary finance for tha

home was also touched on, and the Minister stated that he had under consideration a scheme whereby the Board would be able to borrow the money, which would be paid off in equal instalments over a term of years by the Board and the Government. The Minister remarked that as long as the Board was out for progress H would find the .Minister at its baok. Tha question of a superannuation fund for nurses was introduced. The Minister stated that he favored putting nurses on the same fotting as other publio servants, and if the Board was prepared to subsidise the fund the Gov* eminent would be prepared to consider; the question of a subsidy. Reference' was made to the impression prevailing that nurses who went to the front would receive a pension, and that nurses who 'remained at home and did their duty should also be treated similarly. The Minister, however, pointed out that it was only in cases where the nurse was disabled that she received, a pension similar to a soldier. ■

BREAKWATER OIL AND IRONSAND.

After luncheon a visit was paid to. the breakwater, where the Ministtr inspected the harbor works', over which he was shown by iMr. J. B. Connett, chairman of the Board, and Captain IWaller, harbormaster. En route aj visit was paid to the Blenheim oil bore, where the party were shown over tho, works by Mr. E. Griffiths, managing di> rector, and J. Federowlcs, manager. The bore is now down to a depth of 4900 feet A visit was also paid to the Te-> finery, where the part were met by Mr. Miller, manager. The Minister took a keen interest in the operations'. A! visit was also paid to the Ironsaad pompany's works, which'are in process of erection. The party was met bjj Messrs W. J. Penn and R, J. Dearc, directors, and Mr. Payne, manager, who explained the process.

VISIT TO WAITARA.

The Minister, accompanied ny Messrs ,W. T. Jennings and H. J. Okey, M.'sP., visited Waitara later in the afternoon. On arrival they were met by Messrs E, Beckbessinger (Mayor), J. Hlne (chair* man of the Harbor Board), H. E. Vaughi on, A. W. Ogle (members of the H«r« bor Board) and T. Buchanan, at the (M\ ton County Chambers. ' ry \

The Minister, who was introduced DJ| Mr. Jennings, was welcomed by the May* or on behalf of the people of Waiter*, He brought before the notice of the Mini ister the question of the Waitara bridge, and asked him to use his influence to have some improvement effected. The Minister, in returning thank*, regretted that his stay was so short Hesitated that he would have great pleasure in making representations to the Miniate of Public Works, as soon 88 he returned to Wellington, regarding the condition of the bridge, Mr. Hine, chairman of the HarborGourd, explained the position in connec tion with the Harbor Board loan. Hej detailed the steps taken towards secure ing the consent of the Minister of Ml nance to the board going ahead. After hearing these representation*, the Minister stated that he would duw cuss the matter with the Acting Miniate of Finance, with a view to seeing what could be dono. If the request could not bo granted, he would see if it were post* ible to extend the time limit for tile authority to raise the loan, say, until one year after the end of the war.

.THE MOKAU RIVE.R,

Mr. A. W. Ogle stated that while a«t a member of the Mokau Harbor Board, he desired to briefly sneak in regard to the Mokau River, which had been bloos> cd to navigation since the big fresh some eighteen months ago. The lat* Hon. Mo Nab had, he Btated, given a deputation at Waitara a promise of assistance. In reply the Minister said that he ?ould clear up the matter of assistance. His recollection was that a little while ago, he had approved of a vote being placed on the estimates for work to the extent of £7BO being done, on condition that the local authorities would guarantee that to the event of any similar happening taking place in the future they would 'undertake to keep the river, open to navigation. , Mr. Jennings thanked the Minister for the visit, and urged him to do what he could in connection with the matters, placed before him,

RETURN TO NEW I'LYMOUTE

The Ministerial party tlicn returned to' New Plymouth, and in the evening dU« cussed matters of importance (reported elsewhere) in connection with hospital affairs in New Plymouth.

The Hon. 0. \Y. Russell, accompanied by his private secretary, leaves.New, Plymouth by the mail train this niorn.l ing for Palmerston North.