The Ruamano is a very handsome boat, and is the largest and best-appointed pleasure cruiser which has ever visited the port of Otago. With a cruise of over two months before her, the Ruamano sailed from Auckland on Christmas Day on a voyage round New Zealand. After clearing Auckland they made Piercy Island (near Cape Brett). Orakaura was reached on December 27, and Russell on December 28. On December 29 the Paerengarenga bar was successfully negotiated, and an unbroken run of 350 miles was made to New Plymouth. The launch left New Plymouth on January 1, and arrived at Wanganui at 2.30pm the same day. Thence in turn she visited Wellington, Marlborough Sounds, Greymouth, Westport, Hokitika and Milford Sound. She left Preservation Inlet at 6.30am on January 24, and arrived at Bluff at 4.30pm the same day. The Ruamano left Bluff last week for Stewart Island. On Thursday last the launch entered Paterson’s Inlet. The bush-clad slopes with the fiery coloured rata bloom showing up here and there made a wonderful picture. The launch returned to Bluff for stores, and left there at 5am yesterday, and made a fast run up the coast.
Balclutha’s up-to-date hospital
On the top of a hill, overlooking the town, and with a glorious view of hill and dale, river and sea, stands Balclutha’s hospital, which was officially opened yesterday by Mrs A.S. Malcolm. No more suitable location could have been found than the 56 acres of tableland, on which there is room and to spare for the necessary buildings and extensive grounds. With a great deal of justifiable pride the members of the South Otago Hospital Board and the staff of the institution piloted admiring crowds through the well-equipped and scientifically arranged ward and workrooms. The hospital will accommodate 31 patients in two wards containing 14 beds and three single wards. The buildings are efficiently equipped with all the paraphernalia essential in an up-to-date institution. The operating block consists of the theatre and anaesthetic room, with all the necessary ante-rooms and equipment. In the administration block are the X-ray room, the dispensary, a dark room and casualty room, and, again, all waiting rooms and conveniences. The kitchen, calorifier house and sculleries are constructed so that the maximum of service can be rendered with a minimum of trouble. All the latest labour-saving devices have been installed, and the rooms can be kept spotlessly clean with very little work. Apart from the main block is the nurses’ home, a well-built two-storey structure, with living and recreative accommodation for the entire nursing staff. In charge of the new hospital is Dr Biggs FRCS, assisted by a matron, three nurses and eight probationers, and an outside staff. — ODT, 4.2.1926
