OHIRO HOME

Evening Post, Volume XCIX, Issue 125, 27 May 1920, Page 7

OHIRO HOME

A SATISFACTORY REPORT

GENERALLY SUITABLE AND

WELL RUN

The report of the Special Committee set up 'to inquire into the whole question of the administration, site, and general suitability of the Ohiro Home was presented at the meeting of the Wellington Hospital and Charitable Aid Board held this afternoon.

FINDINGS OF SPECIAL COMMITTEE/

The committee states that it considers the'situation of the Home satisfacory from most points of view. Testimony as to the salubrity of the Home, it says, is afforded by the general health of the inmates, which- is excellent.

As to the internal structure of the Home, the committee has carefully considered the argument for and against the, alternative systems of wards and small rooms or cubicles for dormitory purposes. It finds that the present dormitories are conveniently varied in size, and it is of opinion that the ward system is decidedly the best for the purposes which the home is called upon to serve. In regard to the objection that the internal structure of the home involves the continual climbing of. stairs by infirm inmate 3, the committee finds that on the female side all such infirm inmates occupy a ward on the same level as the day sittingroom, while the bathroom and sanitary offices are on the same level, so that such inmates never use any stairs at all. Further special provision has been made lo enable infirm inmates to reach the gardens and grounds easily by means of graded paths from the female quarters over which they can walk or easily be wheeled.

The committee makes a similar report regarding the men's quarters, but suggests that the day accommodation for the men might be increased on the lines decided on some time, ago by the Charitable Aid Committee) 'namely, by the addition of a second room, where reading and writing can be done without interruption. ABANDONMENT NOT JUSTIFIED. The maximum accommodation in the home is for 145 inmates, the present number being 94. The committee is -of the opinion that the present accommodation will be sufficient for some considerable time to come. Generally speaking, while it may be at once admitted that the present buildings are not ideal and that many improvements, e.g.. the substitution of brick for timber, and better 'planning, might be introduced if new ones were being erected, 'the committee is of opinion that the best is being made of them, and that they by no means ex-, hibit sued imperfections as would justify their abandonment. DIETARY AND CLOTHING. The committee, after going carefully into the matter of the dietary of the Home, is satisfied that the food supplied to the inmates ia amply sufficient in quantity, and that the inmates are not allowanced ; that the quality of the food supplied is perfectly satisfactory ; that every possible' endeavour is made to secure competent cooks, and that the food is, as a matter of fact, well dressed and served. From a, strictly dietetic point of view. the committee finds that the bill-of-fare is • sufficiently varied and beyond all doubt adequate .in nourishment, the expert evidence showing the latter to be about double the-scientific standard. The committee thinks, however, that the addition of a rather more liberal supply of such articles as stewing fruits, jam. and cake, while not strictly necessary, might make the dietary more- attractive. ■ Reporting on tho issue of clothing, the committee states that the authorised system is propsi'ly administered, and that Uie inmates of the Home are well supplied with, suitable clothing. . The committee finds that thfe inmates of the Home receive adequate medical attention. On tVie question of leave of absence, etc., the committee reports that it is of opinion that the proscribed 'arrangement is adequate, and that it is administered with judgment, and the discretionary power oxerrise'd with indulgence rather them otherwise. PROVISION OF "EXTRAS." The committee finds that with the consent of the Charitable Aid Committee extra tobacco is frequently allowed for extra helpfulness, and is of opinion'both rule and administration are satisfactory. It thinks, however, that the tobacco being an "extra" to the male inmates an equivalent "extra" should be allowed to the female inmates in the form of tea, sugar, aad milk for their afternoon tea. ' Regarding the supply of pocket money it is provided' that the superintendent may issue up to 6s per month for indus- | try and good conduct. The committee | finds that with the consent of the Charitable Aid Committee the maximum stated is occasionally extended to 10s in special cases, and that the average amount of the gratuities is 5s 3d.* The committee thinks that the prescribed rule might be brought into general accord with the practice by making the standard limits of the grants for indus-. try and, W; good conduct 3s 6d for the minimum and 10s for the maximum, and that" in the administration the assessments between these limits might be on 'a proportionately more liberal basis. The committee is satisfied that 'no inmate who claims to be unable to do any work which he may be asked to do is forced to do-it,' and that no inmate is ever "ordered" to do anything. It is also satisfied that there is no harshness in ■ dealing with breaches of discipline.