MACARTHY CONVALESCENT HOME

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 290, 27 August 1918, Page 7

MACARTHY CONVALESCENT HOME

Sir,—Judging from the letter of appreciation of the Macarthy Convalescent Homo which was read ut tho Hospital Board meeting with apparently much satisfaction by tho members it would scorn that the board is con ton t to let this homo become practically a Government, charitablo institution at the expense of the ratepayers of the Wellington district. The writer of tho letter calmly proposes that instead of beinp used as the Macarlh.v Trustees primarily intended it, as an adjunct to tho Children's Hospital, to build up tho health of tho children during the convalescent stage, the institution should be filled with poor children from tho city schools needing a change of air. She says that this class will more than suffice to fill tho home, and she kindly adda that "many children who would otherwise become inmates of the hospital or sanatorium may bo restored to health in this way, -ind aio thus saved from being a p-cater burden upon tho Stale." These- are «flmirable sentiments, if the writer proposed the cost being borne by the general taxpayers: but there is no f-uggos-tion in that direction, and tho board makes no comment on tlio omission, but proceeds to wash its hands of the institution after making a glorious muddle of t'ho management, and Dr. Barclay and the hospital matron aro seemingly to run the Mncarthy Home independently of tho board. Olio innild hnve thought their hands wore full enough with hospital management; and I fail to see how they can spnro the time to supervise the Mactirthy Homo. The board estimated the loss mi tho institution this year at £00(1; but if tho plnco is to be kept full with non-paying wliool children "requiring a elmnge of air" the buudeii on tho alriwly overteed ratepayers will be far moro than £000 yearly. If tho Jfacarthy Trustees havo sanctioned this change of policy regarding school children I think it is time they considered tho question of endowing the instittu:•■•*, if they wish the name of Mr. M.ii'arthy tc be kept in kindly remembrance by the ratepayers of this district.—l am, r-tc, NO CAMOUFLAGE. I