"THE OLD FOLKS AT HOME."

Evening Post, Volume LXXIII, Issue 27, 1 February 1907, Page 7

"THE OLD FOLKS AT HOME."

NINETY AT OHIBO, "While yoa have that splendid picture outside you can almost dispense -with paintingi on the wall," playfully remain cd Mr, A. W. Hogg, M.H.R., addressing the inmates of, the Ohiro Home this morning, He waved his. hands towards the. grounds, which certainly look very pleafcaut. The lawns and their bright dower plots and borders eparkled on the hill side. On the slopes, in soil apparently harsh, there is a healthy verdure of vegetables — carrote, cabbages, pota-tdes-r-a spactacle which led Mr. Hogg to say that this produce looks better than anything 'that the Chinese Taise at MasteQon. This cultivation is done by the inmates' themselves. Now and then a professional gardener U s boarder at the institution, and he teaches his comrades hi* art. The result is that the institution, which ia a substantial-looking building, has very well-kept surroundings. While the aged men find distraction in i ikhis" gardening exercise, they also earn a little ntoney. Th* work is optional, but the industrious have a chance Ho increase their pocket money, and so have the satisfaction of "shopping" when they make trips to town. This mornjng Mr. D. Robertson (act-ing-chairman of the Benevolent Trustees) 1 and Mr. Hogg paid a visit to the Ohiro Home io formally install* the new master and matron (Mr. and Blrs. A. H. Trubridge). la- wnlcoming the new officers Mr. Hogg mentioned that years ago rather bitter oomplaints came from the inmates about their treatment, but the mention 'of grievances was a rare thing now. The home had an excellent reputation in the city .and the country. Mr. Trubf jdge «aid that with th» asmstance of Mra. Trubridge and a staff, which he -thought was a very good one, he saw no reason why all should not work with tb© greatest harmony for (the good of the institution and the yomfort of the inmates. The men and women were then assembled in the dining-room, and had the master and matron presented to them, with the addition of Home homely advice from Messrs. Robertson and Hogg. Mr. Hogg said that he was glad to see a nystem by which the men could earn their pocket-money, and invited the women to make recommendations for machinery or appliances fur the making of clothing. It was not desired to convert tho home into a workhouse, but he would support a scheme lor enabling the women to employ their tune pleasantly as woll as profitably. The master asrared the inmates that Mrs. Trubridge and himself had come to the home to make them as. comfortable bo possible. Th«y would help him and help themselves by conlonning to necea3arv titles- cheertully. A representative of the Post went through the. rooms, all of which looked clean and comfortable. Gifts of papere and periodicals would be heartily welcomed by the inmate*, who are «till interested in the movements of the outside world. People of musical bent, who have & penchant for concept parties, would also find here a very grateful field for their esterpnse.