OLD PEOPLE’S HOME.

Grey River Argus, 18 January 1922, Page 6

OLD PEOPLE’S HOME.

QUESTION OF SITE. DISCUSSED BY PUBLIC MEETING GOVERNMENT’S ACTION CRITICISED. For quite a number of years the question of a new site for a home for the old people in this district has constituted a formidable obstacle to all concerned on the West Coast. The matter has been discussed extensively by the various local bodies throughout the West Coast, many resolutions ■ have been passed, and committees have been appointed to enquire into the matter. From all appearances, however, the matter is as far advanced as when it was originally taken up several years ago. „ The question was again discussed at a public meeting held last night, conivened by the Mayor (Mr. J. D. Lynch). There was only a fair attendance, including a number of ladies. The Mayor occupied the ciffiir, and in his introductory remarks expressed disappointment at the small attendance, which, he declared, displayed the spirit of apathy that surrounded the people of Greymouth concerning matters which affected the welfare of the town. It was not the West Coast

spirit and he regretted to see it. Regarding the Old People’s Home, the Mayor said he hoped that as a result of that meeting something more than more resolutions would be accomplished in the direction of having a new homo erected. The present one was a disgrace to the Town and district. He •incercly hoped that this year 1922 would see the establishment of a new and up-to-date home for the ohT folk, where they would be provided comforts that were decidedly lacking at the present time. He suggested that I they .should not plead with the Government Departments further, but override them and show them that they were determined to have the thing gone on with. Ho would like to see a committee formed which would met regularly and not let the matter lapse. He then read the following report, briefly outlining the history of the new site:— “Many years ago, about the mideighties, a piece of land was set aside for an Old Men’s Home. This land, comprising some fifty acres, is situated between the Gladstone and Camerons Railway Stations on the Greyni( nth-Hokitika line, being in a very suitable position and excellent land for such an establishment. Through an oversight, the purpose for which the land was reserved was overlooked by the Lands Department, being leased for farming, the leasehold, being subsequently converted into freehold.

The position of affairs was made known to the Grey Hospital Board in October, 1918, when at that time the Board was seeking a suitable parcel of land on which to erect a home for the aged, a considerable suin of money having been collected for that purpose. The matter was placed before *■ the Government, the result being that the then Minister of Lands, the Hon. D. IT. Guthrie, agreed to allow the Board the sum of £lOOO to purchase land from the Kilgour and Perotti !’ estates, which adjoin land set aside as a Colonial University Reserve, which is adjacent to the Hospital grounds. The land was duly purchased for about £llOO, and the purpose for Which the University Reserve had been set aside, was changed, the land being then transferred to the Board to* be U°ed in conjunction with the land purchased from the Kilgour and Perotti

estates. After the Board had reached this stage, and was preparing to erect the home, the Inspector-General of Hospitals raised an objection to the land obtained by the Board bcingultilised as a site for the home, giving as his reason that it would be required later for hospital purposes. The Board is now in this position, that it has the

ground and is prepared to proceed with the erection and establishment of the home, but owing to the stand adopted by the Director-General of Hospitals, its hands are tied. This 1 meeting is now asked’ to support the Board in its endeavour to have matters brought to a finality, either by the Department of Health agreeing to the present site or compensating the Board for expenditure already incurred in connection with the purchase of land and providing or helping to provide a suitable site of at least four acres in the town of Greymouth. I ask you to give every consideration to the question and to decide to further the Board’s objective, namely, the early establishment of an old people’s home in our town.”

Continuing, the Mayor said: “We have been doing a drift of “wait and see” for the Government to come along and help us. Let us “get into it” ourselves, and if our methods do not meet with the approval of the authorities, whoever they may be, then I say let them come along. Anyway, for my part, I am determined that with your help—if you will allow me to join with the controlling body—that we shall settle this controversy and trouble once and for all. AcT, and clear out the undoubted stigma which lies upon us under the present jonditions at the old people’s home.

Let us stand together in a united effort. Form a joint committee to work in a determined effort. If this is done, 1 guarantee that it will not be long before our old people will be removed from the wretched conditions of to-day, a disgrace to our community.” Mr. J, Hannan (Chairman of the Grey Hospital Board) stressed the urgency of the new home, and briefly outlined the Hospital Board’s action in the matter, referring to several matters of correspondence passing from the Board to the Department. The Board bought the site for £1175, £lOOO of which was a grant from the Department; and then Dr. Valintine objected to the site being used for an old people’s home, stating that Tt was required for hospital extensions. The latest letter from the Department stated that there was no hope of a refund of the £lOOO spent by the Board on the section, but any moneys collected would command a £ for £ subsidy. Personally, he was doubtful if the Department could rightly go as far as they had, as they were holding some of the Board’s money.

In reply to Mr. Naylor, Mr. Hannan said tho Department had originally agreed to the purchase of the section immediately the transfers were arranged. Mr. Skoglund spoke very emphatically on the subject. He said in 19.19 the Government agreed to the purchase of the site and in 1920—after receiving the money—Dr Valintine appeared and objected, upsetting everything. In his opinion Dr. Valintine bad no right to take up the attitude he had adopted. The land had been bought for a purpose, and should bo used for that purpose. “Let us take the bull by tho horns,” said NLr. Skoglund, “and build on the site we purchased.” (Hear, hear.) He understood that Hon C. J. Parr was to visit the Coast shortly, and he sug-, gested placing the matter before him and telling him. they were going to build.

Mr. W. Mates (President of the Old Boys’ Association) said he was heart and soul interested in the welfare of tho old people. The Association had £l5OO collected to hand over to the Hospital Board when a start was made on The new home, and he felt sure they could get another like amount. This speaker was in favour: of a strong committee being appointed. Mr. W. H. Parfitt said he was of opinion that the site under discussion was the only suitable one for this purpose. The Hospital Board had done their best, but had found that the mere passing of resolutions was useless. He felt sure that an ener-

getic committee would do a great deal of good. He suggested making representations to the Members of Parliament on the Coast, and the Prime. Minister. Mr. Naylor considered that the idea of trying to override the heads of the Departments was a foolish one. The Government would not grant any subsidies without the approval of the Department’s officials. They should try to work with the Department. They could make representation to Mr. Parr when he visited here. The Mayor: The Department has opposed it. Mr. Naylor: Well, we will have to get the Department oji our side—also Dr. Valintine; only don’t do anything rash! Mr. J. O’Brien said the position was a peculiar one. It appeared that the Government granted £lOOO for the purchase of the site, and when the Board bought it the Department stepped in and objected. It was a case of

downright robbery on the part of the Government. The Board could get no satisfaction out of them at all. The erection of this home was a most necessary work, as a comfortable home was badly needed for the old folk. The pioneers who assisted to open up the land on the West Coast were sure-1 ly deserving of at least a decent i place to live in, and were deserving! of more consideration from the pub-1 lie than they were getting at the pre-1

sent time. He was not in favour o: the old people being scut out to work as he was of opinion that the country was quite rich enough to keep the pioneers without making them work for their living. He thought the Department should approve of the present- site for tfie home, and throw in

a handsome donation as well. In reply to a question, Mr. O’Brien said he would not agree to any alternative sites, as if an alternative were fixed it would merely prevaiT aginst the original proposal. Mr. Hannan: The position is that Dr. Valintine says “No!” Mr. Matt Willing said he was in accord with the idea to keep' the present site. He noticed that when re- ■ presentation was made to any Minis-1 ters the latter always referred the mat- ’ ter to their officers, and would never go above those officers’ advice. He was of the opinion that the meeting should force its demands in respect to I the proper site.

Mr. Willing then moved the following resolution: “That this public' meeting is determined that the old people’s home be erected on the site purchased with the approval of the Health Department, by the Hospital Board. A copy to be sent to the In-spector-General of Health.” The resolution was seconded by Mrs Schroeder and carried unanimously. Mr. K. Skoglund then moved a resolution to the effect that a general : committee consisting of the Mayor, two Borough Councillors, and the ; Chairman and two members of the fol- ; lowing bodies, viz.: Runanga* and Brunaer Borough Councils, Grey Harbour j

Board, Hospital Board and Count, , i Counci] , and a committee from th , meeting be appointed to forward th interests of the erection of the oh ' people’s home on the site bought bi the Hospital Board, and that represen tation be made in this connection t< Hon. c. J. Parr on the occasion ol | Dis visit to the Coast in the near fu ■ture. i This was seconded by Mr. Mates and carried. | It was decided that the committee from this meeting consist of Mosdanies Schroeder, Lindop, and Brown, Miss Lindop and Messrs Naylor, Nash and R. Smith. | The meeting adjourned for one Aveek, when it is expected somo interesting developments will be reported.