REST HOMES.

Press, Volume LXV, Issue 19733, 25 September 1929, Page 11

REST HOMES.

CARING FOR DESTITUTE PERSONS. PROVISIONS OF NEW BILL. [THE PRBSS Special Service.] WELLINGTON, September 24. Provision for the establishment of rest homes for destitute persons who by reason of age and infirmity are unable to take care of themselves is made in a Government Bill, read a first time in the House of Representatives to-day. As a commencement, it is proposed to establish only one such home and the location is expected to be in the vicinity of Auckland. Any area of available Crown land may be set apart for the establishment of a rest home, but the Minister may declare institutions established by private organisations to be rest homes for the purposes of the proposed Act. Charitable institutions maintained by Hospital Boards may likewise be declared rest homes. Provision is made for the homes to be inspected at least once every three months by official visitors. Voluntary application for reception into a rest home may be made to a Magistrate, such application being heard privately. An order for the reception of the applicant may be made by a Magistrate on being satisfied the applicant is unable by reason of age or infirmity to take proper care of himself. In lieu of such procedure application may be made in the first instance to the superintendent of a rest home, but the application has eventually to be determined by a Magistrate. The applicant shall not be oompulsorily detained in the home longer than the period stated in the order. On application, made by any reputable person, a Magistrate has also power to make an order for the committal of a destitute person to a rest home. If the Magistrate is satisfied as to the troth of the complaint that h person is destitute he may make an order specifying the term of detention in the home. Persons charged with offences involving vagrancy may also in certain cases be committed to a rest home. Any person detained in a mental hospital on account of mental infirmity arising from age may be transferred to a rest home, and any person eo transferred may, with the concurrence of the Minister having control of mental hospitals, be retransferred from the home to a mental hospital. An inmate who escapes from a rest home may be arrested without warrant and returned to the home. The Minister may discharge or transfer an inmate of a home, but in the case of the transfer of a voluntary inmate only with the latter's written consent. The superintendent also has power to discharge a voluntary inmate before the period of his detention has expired provided there is someone willing to exercise proper care and control of the inmate. Other inmates shall not be discharged before the full period, except by consent of the Minister. Anyone who ill-treats or wilfolly neglects an inmate, or induces an inmate to esdape, is liable to a fine of £2O. Maintenance of an inmate may be ft charge on a near relative or on the estate of the inmate. Nothing in the Bill will relieve Hospital Boards from the obligation to provide charitable institutions. No Court fees shall be payable in respect to any judicial proceedings under the proposed enactment.