THE CITY'S CHARITABLE INSTITUTIONS.

Press, Volume LXVI, Issue 13713, 21 April 1910, Page 8

THE CITY'S CHARITABLE INSTITUTIONS.

VISIT BY THE HOSPITAL AND CHARITABLE AID BOARD.

Yesterday the recently elected members of the Hospital and Charitable Aid Board pakl a visit of inspection to several of the institutions under the control of the Board, chiefly with a view to giving the new members some personal and practical knowledge to assist them in the future deliberations of the controlling body. The party comprised Messrs F. Horrcll (chairman), C. Allison, H. B. Sorensen, D. McMillan, W. P. Spencer, Jas. Henderson, J. H. Davison. T. D. Boag, O. F. Clothier, "W. W. Tanner, T. C. Norris (secretary), Key. VF. J. L. Closs and Mesdanies Cunnington and Ensom. The journey was made iv a four-in-hand drag, vhich left tho city shortly alter halrpast ten, the nrst stopping place bein;; the Samaritan Home. The men's and women's quarters were visited, and the opinion was expressed that in spite of the scrupulous cleanliness of the building and the cure which was taken to make it look as attractive as possible in the circumstances, it was only poorly adapted for the purpose lor which it was used, und offered but cold comfort for the inmates. Its long uninviting stone corridors and cell-like rooms brought vividly to mind the fact that it had in tho past done service as a gaol., and -would need radical alteration before it provided anything like the comforts of a home for those who had fallen on evil times. From the Samaritan Home tho drag proceeded along Wilderness road, -nd skirted the base of tho Cashmero Hills until the gato of the Consumption Sanitorium was reached. A long pull up tho steep and winding path .vas necessary before the visitors arrived at tho miniature settlement which nestles snugly on the hillside, and looks down upon the murky pall which overhangs the city. Tho white painted administrative "block of buildings and the shelters with their red-tiled roofs, presented a very pleasing picture. Under the guidance of Dr. Blaekmore, the Resident Medical Superintendent, the members were escorted through the buildings and over the grounds which surround them. Everything spoko of spick-and-span cleanliness, which left no dark corners where tho microbe might lurk. Fresh air (is the outstanding feature, especially with regard to the shelters, which arc so constructed that the patients, while actually under cover, are practically sleeping in the own. Dr. Blackmore pointed out to tho party a number of defects which needed remedying. The inadequacy of the water supply, he explained, was a serious menace. At present, it appears, all the water is pumped into tho reservoir higher up the fiill by a windmill, and it is only by the mill working the whole twenty-four hours that the- reservoir is kept full. Should the wind fail for a few" days, the water would run out, and creat inconvenience would be caused. At present there is only a week's supnly available. The chairman remarked that what was necessary was the installation of a gas-engine, and this matter would have to be considered by the Board. The question of drainage was also discussed. At present the effluent from the septic tank is concentrated by different pipes into a main pipe, which discharges the outflow down tho hillside. This, it was contended, should not be, and tho proper method would be to have several outlets instead of one. It was agreed to ask the Board's engineer to assist in the solution of the difficulty by investigating and reporting on the matter. The next institution on the itinerary w,as the "Woolston Jubilee Home, in the inspection of which considerable time was spent. The quaint beauty of the building, under tho roof of which some hundred aged women find rest and shelter in their declining years, was greatly admired, as were the grass lawns and flower-beds sproundinc it. On entering the building the party was taken in charge by the matron, and a tour of thorough inspection was made. That brightness and cheerfulness were the objects it was sought to attain was very quickly evident, and here at least there was not the sli<*htest indication of the parsimony which is often associated with the bodies controlling charitable institutions. The aged inmates looked happy and. contented as they Kit about in the corridors or in their private rooms, and even the pathos of the incurable ward was diminished when one realised that the patients. "were receiving all the care and attention that could humanly be befit/owed upon them in tho autumn of their days. After luncheon in tho staffs diningroom, tho grounds attached to the institution were visited, and the large stores of fruit and vegetables all grown on the Home's prc+perty, bore eloquent testimony to the fact that as far as possible it was sought to make the Home self-supporting. The visitors were all very favourably impressed with the institution generally, and it was felt that little improvement ooukl be made, and that the Homo fully achieved its object. Tile next place of cell was tho "Woolston Orphanage—a large two-storeyed building standing on two or three aces of g_round. After duly inspecting this institution, a visit was paid to the Female Refuge, in Lin wood, general satisfaction ngain being expressed at tho manner in which the inmates were cared for. During the inspection of the Refuge grounds, Mr Xorris, the secretary, explained to the new members of the" Board tliat it was proposed to erect another .Refuge on the land connected with tho institution, as there would be ample room for euch o home. If the new buildrnsr were erected, it was proposed to utilise it for girls and women whose "conduct showed that there was little hope of their reformation.