Proposal To Open Mountain Hostel For Invalided Men

Taranaki Daily News, 29 August 1942, Page 2

Proposal To Open Mountain Hostel For Invalided Men

Offer to manage North Egmont as home. A suggestion that the North Egmont hostel should be reopened as a convalescent home for invalided servicemen in the Taranaki district has been made by some New Plymouth residents who feel that there is a growing need for such an institution. It has been pointed out by those responsible for the suggestion that convalescent servicemen who are unable to be cared for in their own homes in Taranaki, under existing arrangements have to be sent to other districts where there are hospitals that can accommodate them. Some of these hospitals are far removed from the Taranaki" province and men who are patients for long terms are deprived of contact with their families. As the war progressed, it was stated, accommodation in the existing hospitals for servicemen would become overtaxed and this was stressed as a point in favour of establishing district institutions, Health-restoring Rest. At North Egmont it was felt that the men would be able to enjoy healthrestoring rest in bracing air in peaceful surroundings. It was also thought that the mountain atmosphere would be especially beneficial to men recovering from people arrived with their application A married couple experienced^ in the management of mountain hostels have already offered their services if the suggestion to use the hostel as a convalescent home is adopted. It is understood the proposal is to be placed before the Minister of Health, the Hon. A. H. Nordmeyer, in the near future. Petrol and transport restrictions necessitated the closing of the North Egmont hostel some months ago, since when it has been unoccupied.