NEW EVENTIDE HOME

Press, Volume LXXXIX, Issue 27073, 23 June 1953, Page 2

NEW EVENTIDE HOME

OFFICIAL OPENING AT PICTON ON JULY 18

The new Methodist Church eventide home, Wesley House, at be officially opened on July 18. This information was given by the Christchurch city missioner (the Rev. W. E. Falkingham) last evening. The Minister of Health (Mr J. R. Marshall) has been invited to perform the opening ceremony. The president of the Methodist Church in New Zealand (the Rev. J. H. Allan) will dedicate the home.

The purchase of the home had been made by the generous gift of Mr N. Anderson, of Christchurch and this had been supplemented by the 50 per cent, subsidv from the Government said Mr Falkingham. The home is valued at £12,000. and was bought for £6OOO.

“Sufficient applications are now in hand to fill au available beds, but a final decision will not be made about admissions until the matron takes over on July 1;” Mr Falkingham said. Applications were -still being received, and the most needy from the viewpoint of housing, and frailty would be given priority. Some applications have been received from Nelson. Wellington, Hanmer Springs, and Marlborough. Alterations costing £l5OO are almost completed, and a further £lOOO will be spent on furniture and equipment. A generous gesture had been made by the' Pictpn Borough Council in substantially reducing the rates on the property. Mr Falkingham said. If sufficient numbers of Canterbury people wished to attend the opening, a special excursion train would leave Christchurch early on the morning of the opening ceremony. Sister C. F. Hight (Ashburton), formerly matron of the Kaikoura Hospital. and Essex Home. Christchurch, has been appointed matron of the new home.’