THE SAMARITAN HOME.

Press, Volume LV, Issue 9941, 21 January 1898, Page 3

THE SAMARITAN HOME.

A -meeting of the committee of the Samaritan Home was held,at the residence of. Sister. Frances, Armagh street, last evening, to consider what steps should be taken with regard to the carrying on of the institution. Mr C. H. Bridge presided, and there were nine members present. The Chairman reported the result of the interview with the Premier, and said he could not help feeling that if the Charitable Aid Board had agreed to work amicably with them, the institution might have been* made of value to the community. Under the circumstances, however, the only course appeared to be to form a separate institution. He did not think there would be much difficulty in getting the requisite' number of contributors or the necessary amount. He and several others had been canvassing, and had obtained half of the number ot contributors and half the amount required. He thought there would be no difficulty in getting £150. He, therefore, moved—" That the Charitable Aid Board having given notice that the grant at present being paid towards the maintenance of the Samaritan Home would be discontinued after the 31st March next, this Committee, after careful consideration, is of opinion that the only means by which it is possible to keep the Home open is by the formation of a separate institution under the provisions of the Hospital and Charitable Institutions Act, and hereby resolve that steps be taken to effect this." - -

Mr H. B. Sorkksbn seconded the motion. The Chairman added that the subscribers would practically have the control of the institution in their own hands, as they would appoint trustees. There were now about fifty inmates in the Home, .and if it were closed these people would be thrown on the streets. ... .. , JMr Jr Hamilton said some of the memben of the Charitable Aid Board thought the ratepayers should not be called upon to keep .these people, but that the Government should do it. The ratepayers were burdened enough already. These separate institutions were becoming a pest; there were too many of them in Christchurch and elsewhere. He believed the ratepayers would oppose' the formation of another institution. He did not know, whether the Charitable Aid Board would carry on the Home or not. The Chairman said that if the Home were run by the Charitable Aid Board its value would not be the same as they now hoped it would be, as the moral tone would be done away with. In reply to Mr Widdowson, the Chairman said the statement that appeared to the effect that daring the month of December twenty-five patients had cost £51 was incorrect ; fifty-one patients had cost £25. The motion was carried, Mr Hamilton dissenting. A Sab-Committee, consisting of Sister Frances,' Mrs' Dunkley and Messrs Carter and Bridge, was appointed to take the necessary steps towards forming the Home into a separate institution.