HALF-WAY INSTITUTIONS.

Northern Advocate, 29 September 1920, Page 3

HALF-WAY INSTITUTIONS.

WANTED FOR INDIGENT AGED

A CASE IN POINT,

Commenting on the case of an old anan over sovonty years of age who was brought before the Wanganui Court on a charge of being "idle and disorderly and without sufficient means of support," Senior-Sorgeaat Bourke said that the man's only offence was that he was poor. He had arrived at " Wanganui on Friday last, and made an *"efforfc to get into the Old People's Home, but ns he was a stranger, the local doors were, according to law, closed against him. He informed the police that he .had left bis swag at a boarding house, and had olso deposited £1 with it, but could not remember Where. On Saturday night the old ' man found Ms way back to the police station and slept there, and was found by the constable on duty yesterday morning and turned out. The seniorsergeant stated that he was - anxious about the old man's welfare yesterday, and instituted a search for him. In the evening he was brought to the station by a local boarding house proprietor. The present charge had been brought against the veteran in order to try to get him into a home. In answer to the anagi&T/rate, the old man stated that ho had worked until recently about 16 miles from Te Kuiti, and Jthat he came to Wanganui to try to get into the home. The work on the farm became too hard for him, otherwise he was sorry to leave. He nad worked several years in Eaetifhi and other districts. The magistrate remarked that the ''"""'old man apparently picked up liis kit and moved about, and wherever ho landed became his domicile. The proper place for him would bo in the Old Men's Home. ' Senior-Sergeant Bourke - remarked that the old man could not be put in the train and sent bac-c to Auckland to be stranded there and arrested. The magistrate said the old man's only fault was his years. He was not capable of work, and should not be put in gaol. Hβ reiterate! that there should be half-way institutions for these old people where they would be under a certain amount of restriction and would be prevented from running away. The proper course would be to have the old man admitted to the home. Tho magistrate adjourned the case for a week to see if tho old fellow cannot be admitted to the home. Senior-Sergeant Bourke said the old man was so anxious ot get into a home thai he had even asjjed, if othei sources failed, to bo sent- to the in ©briates' home at Eoto Eoa island. The old man: Yes; send me to tih< island, as I can't bo humbuggin; about here.