ALEXANDRA HOME FIRE

Nelson Evening Mail, 5 July 1916, Page 6

ALEXANDRA HOME FIRE

REFERENCES AT BOARD MEETING-.

At the meeting of the Hospital and •Charitable Aid Board to-< Lay, the Chairman (Mr H. Bai-genty referred/ to the destruction of the Alexandra Horn a bv fire, and the .arrangements that had - been made for the accommodation) of » the inmates, who would be temporarily housed at the Home for Defectives at Kfdhmomct ; The Chairman' stated' that there w.->s a sura of £5500 available for a new building, including £IOOO m the Harris be- - quest. Mr Macmahon said the Board should - not think of re-erecting ft-he Home in •wood. '■ - The Chairman conourred. •Sir Hoult -thought the whole of thej "Board' should' have been called- together after: the fire. He did- net -wish to criticise the Town Committee., but the country members should have been consulted." He moved. that the Board' proceed immediately -with the.. erection of a new Home/ on- the same site in brick or cviic-rete. the cost not to exceed. JSSOOO. Mr Macmahon: seconded the motion, . -which was carried.- ' - : -Mr BelK referred to the moderate Water supply on. the occasion of the fire . He moved that the City Council should ibe asked, for an- explanation. It was an absolute shame for the City Council to be charging a-high water rate, and jiot providing an adequate supply. The motion was seconded by Mr Lock nnd- .carried!. 3lr W. Hou-lker applied for the position of architect for the new Alexandra Home. Mr Houlker undertook to furnish complete plans within 14 days after the Board had approved of sketch plans. Mr Bell moved that competitive, designs .be invited from architects in the Nelsjott district-, a bonus of £25 to be granted the'successful architect, designs to -be in in' 14 days. Mr Maemahon moved -a.c an amendment that np. bonus be paid-. The amendment was lost, andi the motion carried. The '-Chairman- spoke highly of , the services of the Fire Brigade at the fire, and znoved that £5 be voted to the (Brigade funds, the motion, being- carried. The Chairman farther moved that the Board tender its thanks to the. neighbours and- others for their assistance at the time of the fire.—Carried. Mrs Watson moved that -those who had given; clothing for the inmates be thanked, —-Carried. Mr Hoult moved- that the Town Com- ' mittee (Messrs IBaigent and! Lock 1 - r..nd Mrs "Watson) -be thanked for the services since ithe fire. Mr Hon It said IMtb Wateon had rendered excellent seife; vices in connection with the women :tima tes.—Carried. On the 'Chairman's motion votes, of thanks were also accorded the doctors and staffs-at the General and. Mental Hospitals for afttention to the old pcoPl At -this stage the members of the 'Board proceeded to the site of the Alexandra Home.- - * The Chairman said that the - Master and Matron of the Home had been Iheavy losers by the fire—probably to •the extent; .of £SO or £6O; and he mo\ - ed; that the Board make them a donationjof £ls towards their loss. Blorisfield! acknowledges contributions of Nothing- for the inmates from Miss Saddi and Miss Shepherd.