COSTLEY HOME.

Auckland Star, Volume LXX, Issue 263, 7 November 1939, Page 5

COSTLEY HOME.

NAME PRESERVED.

CHANGES OF THE YEARS. • < 1 HOSPITAL, CENTRE GROWS. < Linked with the memory of an Auck- , land benefactor of many years ago, Mr. < Edward Costley, is the Auckland ; Infirmary at Green Lane Roaxi, Epsom. ' Nearly Iwilf a century ago the site ' was chosen for the Costley Home, a : public institution for the aged poor in which to spend the evening of their lives. The home -was the original build- 1 ing—to-day it is the central building of a developing hospital centre. Yet, with care of aged people, the original plan has been adhered to. Mr. Edward Costley, whose death occurred in 1883, was one of the greatest of Auckland benefactors. Under his will, his estate was divided amongst seven Auckland institutions, a sum of £13,239 became available for an old people's home, and the site chosen wa« the present location of the Infirmary. The original area was a hospital endowment; slightly over seven acres in extent. The main building of the Costley Home was erected in 1800, at a '*ost of £8650, and the opening ceremony was performed on April 23, 1890, by the Governor of New Zealand at that time, . the Earl of Onslow. From time to time , additional adjoining land was acquired . to make a total to-day of over 21 acres, ! and since the original block was opened s many additional buildings have been 3 erected. Needs Of Future. f In a recent report to the Auckland 1 Hospital Board the medical superin- , tendent of the Infirmary described the institution as "a chronic hospital which i must be conside fd as such," the exo planation being Chat there were many - bed-ridden cases now in the institution.

From time to time there have been suggestions that the original intention has been departed from, but on the I other hand there is the contention that

the needs of the future could not have been visuaJised fifty years ago, and that while adhering to the original desire, a programme has been needed to meet requirements of different times and conditions. It is contended that the wishes of the late Mr. Costley have not been departed from, and that the development plan has been the provision of hospital buildings in proximity to the original institution, which still exists as the Costley wards block.

The first evidence of building expansion was in 1906, when it was decided to erect an infirmary building at a cost of £5000. It was opened in the following year. The next development was the erection of a "boilerhouse, kitchen and laundry. Following expansion included shelters for T.B. cases, a female . infirmary building, a residence for the medical officer, and a nurses' home. Other building additions have ibeen under consideration in recent years. -

Outdoor Operations. Extensive grounds have been put to good purpose. Vegetable growing is carried out 011 a big scale. At one time piggeries had. a place in the outdoor operations, but although it was a successful financial adventure, it was an enterprise that had to he abandoned when the district began to be closely settled.

In November, 1024, the name "The Infirmary" was adopted by resolution of the board to designate an institution which in addition to serving the aged has 'become a treatment centre for infirm and chronic cases. To-day at Epsom there is a staff of approximately 250 to look after the needs of the 510 patients.