OLD PEOPLE’S HOME

Grey River Argus, 27 April 1925, Page 4

OLD PEOPLE’S HOME

LAYING OF FOUNDATION STONE. AN IMPRESSIVE CEREMONY. Notwithstanding the inclemency of the weather, a large crowd congregated at the Old People’s Home on Saturday afternoon for the purpose of witnessing the ceremony of the laying of the foundation stone. Mr J. W. Hannan, chairman of the Hospital and Charitable Aid Board, presided. Mr Hannan traced the history of the movement to raise funds for the erec-

tion of a new building for the pioneers in Greymouth, and referred to the great work that had been done in this respect by Mr J. O’Brien, M.P. He complimented the architect and the contractors on their great work, and then called upon His Worship the Mayor (Mr W. H. Parfitt) to address the assemblage. As was the ease with the ■ previous speaker, Mr Parfitt expressed regret at the illness of the Prime Minister, ajd trusted that he would be assured of speedy recovery. His Wor ship moved that a letter of condolence be sent to Mrs Massey expressing the regret of the people of Greymouth in connection with the illness of the Primo Minister. This was seconded' by Mr J. O’Brien, M.P., and carried unanimously. His Worship referred to the great work the pioneers had done for the Coast, the paving of the way, as it were, of future generations, and meantime, the fact that the least the people of to-day could do for them

was to provide for them a home Worthy of them (applause). He referred to the great work done by the Returned Soldiers’ Association and the Old Boys Association in collecting funds for the building of the institution, and complimented Mr ,T. O’Brien. M.P., for the active measures he had taken in securing a grant for the building. Had it. not been for Mr O’Brien, he (His Worship) was inclined to think that a grant would never have been secured.

Mr .1. O’Brien. M.P., was the next speaker. He stated that he had made a promise tliaT, if returned, lie would work for the erection of a new building for the old people. He thought lie was justified in saying that he had rcylocmed that promise (hear hear), and that when he had been a little over two years a Member of Parliament. I (Applause). The pioneers, that sturdy old stock, that, had made the race, iiere deserving of the best. (Applause.) There were few of them left to-day, and it behoved everyone to do the liest for them. He referred to the early pioneering days, when those very same men and women who the public nas honouring that day, landed from a sailing vessel at the mouth of the river, or travelled the snow-eovered passes from Otago and Canterbury, strangers in a strange land, with none to help them —no one from whom they could obtain the necessaries of life, drenched with rain that seldom ceased, forded rivers (that not infrequently, claimed their human victims), facing dangers and hardships that many today would not brave. ITo referred to the great pioneering work these old men and women had done —a work that had been handed down to posterity, and that, the present generation of New Zealanders was reaping the advantage of. (Applause.) The best that the people of Greymouth could give to these folk was not too good for them. (Applause). He was sorry .to see how some of the hospital boards were treating their old people, and expressed pleasure that the Grey Board

was not doing likewise. (Hear hear.) Mr O’Brien quoted the words of Sir Francis Bellj who stated that the old folk on the Coast were deserving of the best that the people could give them. Dr T. H. Valintine, the DirectorGeneral of Hcaltli, who had opposed the. erection of the building on that particular site had stated, the West Coast had a type of pioneer that could not be found elsewhere' in the Dominion. Each one of them was a “doer” (laughter and applause), and possessed on independent spirit that was good to see amongst men. (Applause.) In short, the pioneers made the West Coast, and they did more than that. They made what was nearer and dearer to everybody—the old West Coast. (Loud applause.) The speaker lie was voicing everyone ’s sentiment when he stated that it was the wish of all that the spirit would never die out. (Applause). He referred to the honour that was rightly being done to the pioneers that day. but asked all not to forget their promises to the old people and do what had been done not a hundred miles from Greymouth—cutting the miserable allowance of the pioneers so that a profit might be shown at the end of a financial year. As one day all would be old folk, it behoved us to teach our children to honour and res pcet the aged (applause), no matter 'what walk in life their footsteps might tread. Mr O’Brien extended his thanks to the Right Honourable, the Prime Minister, who, by his splendid grant of £2OOO, made it possible for the foundation stone to be laid that day. , The Hou. G. J. Anderson then dedared the stone “well and truly laid.’’ He referred to the illness of I the Prime Minister, and thanked the people of Greymnuth for the concern they had expressed on Mr Massey’s behalf. The Minister made mention of the great work the pioneers had done, and congratulated the people on worthily looking after their old folk by pro-

vidf, for them such a handsome buing as the structure in course of crcJn promised to bo. (Applause.) AyA. H. AlcKanc, President of the Reined Soldiers’ Association, and Mr. Pcrotti, President of the Old Bo- Association, also spoke. yfer >thc ceremony, a banquet in boil of the inmates of the Home waield, and a lengthy toast list was hoired. .Ogether, the ccrcmonyl one of e most pleasing and successful cerOTiies that has been held in Greymni for a long time.