HOME FOR INDIGENT GENTLEWOMEN.

THE PURCHASE OF -QUAMBY." "Quamby," the residence of Mr XG. Russell, which has been purchased by the Board of Governors of the Mclean Institute as a home for indigent gentlewomen, is situated at Fendalton. The property comprises 44 acres of lnnd, on which there is a house of fourteen rooms and a number of other smaller buildings such as are necessary 01 a large property. An inspection of the grounds and house was made who little time ago by a "Press" reporter, and the opinion that ho formed was that the place was well suited for the purpose for which it has boon chosen. It is distant from the terminus of the Fendalton car about 300 yards, and is on the route of a regular 'bus service, which connects with the in and out cars. The grounds are laid out with lawns and gardens in a very artistic fashion, and at the time of the inspection the flower gardens wore abiazo with colour. A fernery, well stocked and appointed, is a pleasant adjunct to the gardens, and there are also two hot-houses, one devoted to vino culture and tho other to pot plants. The fruit and vegetable gardens are fairly extensive, and appeared to repay the attention which had been bestowed oil them. One very attractive feature is the presence of a number of shapely and well-grown trees. The water supply is sufficient for all requirements. The domestic supply is artesian, and that for gardening and irrigation purposes is pumped from th> AVaimari stream, which bounds the west side of tho property. There is a small concreted swimming bath, which for some time has been the delight of tho young idea in this part of Fendalton. There is a happy combination of the picturesque and utilitarian about tho grounds of "Quamby" which should be appreciated by the Indies who are to take up their residence there. The house, though a fairly old one, ia in a very goodl state cf preservation. A thorough examination of the timbers was made by two experts, and their report was to the effect that everything was sound !>rs a a ball. Black pine, totara, and kauri had been used in its construction, and tlieso hardwoods .have home tho passing of years almost without depreciation. The rooms are large and airy, and tho appointments in the shape of bathrooms and lavatories are excellent. Of course there will have to be extensive additions before "Quamby" will be able to toko tho full complement which the Instituto designs to receive there, but there should bo no difficulty in making these extensions without materially disturbing the present structure. The price paid for the property was £4600, which ie only £65 more than the Government valuation.

In view of tho opening of the Homo early in April, the special committee of tho Board of Governors met on Thursday for the consideration of the applications for admission to the Institute. Ac the accommodation at "Quamby" .is limited, the names of only eight ladies were selected as the first inmates, and they have been asked to hold themselves in readiness to en>tc«' into residence shortly after Easter. Sketch plans arc now being prepared for alterations to "Quamby/' which will enable tho Board to admit twelve more ladies, but these alterations cannot bo completed for some little time.