HOME FOR CHILDREN

Evening Post, Volume CXX, Issue 9, 10 July 1935, Page 13

HOME FOR CHILDREN

AUCKLAND OFFER

DISCUSSED BY SOCIETY

QUESTION OF CONTROL

Reference to the home offered by Mr. W. R. Wilson, of Takapuna, Auckland, to the Crippled Children Society was made at the conference of the society today when Mr. G. J. Park detailed what had been done by the Auckland branch. The matter was raised by a resolution dealing with the policy of the society in regard "to institutions.

Mr. F. Campbell moved: "That for the first year the branches be recommended to devote their energies towards making a thorough survey of the cripples in their districts, and in arranging machinery for new cases being reported as they arise; that no obligations in regard to institutions or permanent stipendiary staff (medical nursing, etc.) be undertaken, unless the result of the survey and investigation discloses to the branches the necessity for such institutions or stipendiary Staff."

Already 154 crippled children had been examined in the Auckland district, Mr. Park said, and the branch had been offered a very fine home which had been described Ly Lord Nuffleld as being as good for the purpose as anything that could be found in New Zealand or anywhere else. There were thirteen acres of land and the house was a large one with many rooms. The Auckland branch wanted to accept the gift and wanted the permission of the New Zealand society to do so. If the home were taken over there would be a considerable amount of expenditure, and he appealed to the society to. help to the greatest extent possible.

Mr. Park outlined what had been done to secure funds from local bodies and individuals, and said his branch considered £4000 a year could be found towards the running of the home if the matter were properly organised.

Mr. G. L. Taylor (Auckland) also appealed for support for the home. The place was very suitable for the purpose, he said, and could be used with little alteration. Some of the grounds could be used to keep a cow or for fowls and the balance would not require' much care. Several delegates expressed the opinion that any institution started should / be under the control of the Dominion body and not under the control of the Auckland branch.

Mr. Spenc? (Auckland) said it was the desire of both Mr. and Mrs. Wilson that the home should be put into use at once. They had also-expressed the view that the home could not be controlled from any other centre and consequently would have to be managed by the Auckland branch. The home had been offered for crippled childrer in New Zealand and not for Auckjc/d alone. Of the 154 children examined in Auckland, a x few only would require treatment ' in a home. Consequently, if the home was to be used to its fullest capacity, ..children would have to be brought from other centres. . . The president: \ Have you estimated the cost of upkeep? The branch had estimated that it would cost £4000 a year to keep 30 children in the home, Mr. Spence said, and 30 could be accommodated there without any alteration. Mr. J. M. A. Ilott said that he believed there were'five homes available to branches throughout New Zealand, and if a branch accepted a home it should undertake the management of, it." The Wilson Home should be the care of the Auckland branch and not of the society as a whole. The motion was carried.