THE AGED POOR OF WELLINGTON.

Evening Post, Volume XXI, Issue 126, 1 June 1881, Page 3

THE AGED POOR OF WELLINGTON.

At the meeting of the committee of the Benevolent Institution, held yesterday evening, the chairman (Mr. J. G. Holdsworth) read the following letter from the Colonial Secretary's office : — " Sir — In preparing for the removal of the patients in the Hospital to the new buildings, it has been brought to the notice of the Government that there are fourteen males and four females who from old ago and chronic illness are not fit subjects for hospital treatment, and who ought more properly to be kept in an infirmary. The Colonial Secretary has directed me to a9k you whether the Benevolent Society will bo prepared to take charge of these oases, as the committee of management of the Hospital object to their remaining a burden on that institution, and it is not probable they will be permitted to remain in the Hospital." The chairman said upon the receipt of that letter ho had written to Mr. Graham, Town Clerk, as to the number of patients in the Hospital and the accommodation in the new ore, and Mr. Graham had replied to the efiect that the new building contained fonr wards of 24 beds each, and that at present there were 60 patients in the old Hospital all told. He (Mr. Holdsworth) thought tho committee would be all agreed that to take these 18 men and women and put them into lodgings in town where they would lack proper attendance and medical comforts would be cruelty, and he, for one, would decline to have anything to do with such a proceeding. Councillor Alien said he was on the Committee of Management of the Hospital up to the last two months, and it was the first time he had heard of these men and women not being allowed to go to the new Hospital. As there was no alma house they should be allowed to go to the new establishment, or remain in the old one at present. He was quite with the Chairman in thinking it would be cruelty to cast them adrift when there was plenty of a n .oommodation for them, and they must be provided for by publio money somehow. Mr. Waterhonse thought the committee might go further and get an infirmary made of the old Hospital, which was admirably adapted for such a purpose. Mr. Holdaworth said the building was in the hands of trustees, who had ever j thing to do with the old and new buildings, and he did not think there was the slightest probability of the present trustees allowing the old building to be used as Mr. Waterhouse suggested. Councillor Danka agreed with Mr. Waterhouse. He thought ihe old men should be provided for in a place by themselves. It was cruelty to keep them mixed up with patients in the Hospital. If they could get this old place, or any other, it would be better for the old people and the patients. After further discussion, it was proposed by the Rev. J. Hinton— " That until a suitable building and the required attendants are provided for the accommodation of the aged and infirm poor, now patientß in the Wellington Hospital, the Benevolent Institution decline to accept the responsibility of caring for these patients, and they recommend that the present building in Pipitea-street be secured by the Government for this purpose." Hon. G. M. Waterhonse seconded the motion, which was agreed to by all but Councillor Allen, who thought that the premises were too valuable to devote to Buoh a purpose. They were, he said, worth JJ20.000. Mr. Waterhouse did not think they could devote them to a better purpose, as they would always have the poor to pr ovide for. The subject then dropped.

A Queensland telegram states that John Davidßon, alias Diokson, a passenger from India by the steamer Roma, was found dead in bed at the Palace Roynl Hotel, Ipswich, on Tuesday, 24th May. The evidence showed that pruseio acid was found in his stomach. A gun was found fixed so as to go off on opening the door of the bedroom.