The convalescent sanatorium at Hanmer Springs for returned soldiers will probably be opened officially by the Hon. G. W. Russell some time next month.
Mr Russell stated that at the outset it would be furnished to accommodate 100 men. Already some 40 or 50 men were there, and he had been sending out instructions to the medical superintendents at the various institutions that men should be sent either to Hanmer Springs or Rotorua as soon as they had reached the convalescent stage.
The reason was that the men recovered at these institutions much quicker than in the ordinary hospitals. When fully equipped the Hanmer Springs Sanatorium would accommodate between 310 and 400 men.
•The Otago Labour Council at its annual meeting unanimously adopted the following resolutions with reference to the employment of discharged soldiers:-
"(1) In order to provide for the future needs of discharged soldiers so that they will be independent of anything in the shape of private or public charity, the Government be urged to favourably consider the matter of the establishment of State industries, where the discharged soldiers can be provided with useful employment at a comfortable living wage for themselves and their dependants.
"(2) This council is of opinion that the State could embark in many industries which have not, so far, been established in the dominion or have not yet been fully exploited by private enterprise which would increase production and not interfere with the present employment of any man or woman.
"Should any loss be sustained by the establishment of these industries for discharged soldiers the loss could be met out of the consolidated revenue, which all sections of the community contribute to.
"Such a position would, in the opinion of the council, be preferable to the payment of large sums of money annually in providing pensions into the pockets of private employers.''
•It is freely stated that the experience of farmers who sent sheep south to graze in consequence of the shortage of feed in this district has been distinctly unsatisfactory.
Not only have the animals failed to prosper in the colder and damper south, but they are coming back short in number. In one case it is stated, the shortage reached about a hundred.
No explanation has been forth-coming as to the short returns, and several farmers went south last week to investigate matters for themselves. Nothing is yet known, but one thing is quite evident, and that is that the large losses have not been due to deaths.
•Speaking to an Owaka man interested in stock a representative of the Balclutha Free Press learnt that many of the small farmers in the Catlins district are abandoning dairying in favour of sheep raising.
The causes were to be found in the high prices at present ruling for mutton and the handiness of the Finegand freezing works. Recently 21s was received by Catlins farmers for their lambs, and the yardings of sheep at the fortnightly stock sales at Owaka are now much too big for the accommodation available at the yards.
•The Post and Telegraph Department, anticipating the enlistment of a large number of its members in addition to those who have already enlisted, is arranging to open classes for the tuition of girls in telegraphy.
The first class is to be opened in Wellington in about three weeks' time. . Similar classes will be opened later at Auckland, Christchurch, and Dunedin.
- ODT, 19.5.1916.
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