THE QUEEN'S DIAMOND JUBILEE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIV, Issue 10420, 19 April 1897, Page 3

THE QUEEN'S DIAMOND JUBILEE.

TO THE EDITOR. SIR—I have been greatly interested in the discussion in your columns as to the most suitable manner of commemorating the Diamond Jubilee of our most noble Queen. I join my plea with those who advocate the establishment of a convalescent home, but with which should also be incorporated a home for incurables. I do not think' the public in Auckland can know know a real want there is for such a home. The blind have their institute, though at present it is only a wooden structure, aud children have a place in the hospital, and are attended there, but the poor incurables have no where to go, and are shunted into the home for the aged poor at Epsom, which, though suitable enough for those it was built for, is not the place for incurables who require more care, comforts, and nursing, than can possibly be provided for them there. As a constant visitor to the Costley Home, I have do fault to find with its management, and think that everything is done for the comfort of the inmates that is possible with the staff and means available. But no one can visit there without being impressed by the pitiable condition of those poor creatures sent there from the hospital as incurable. Many of these, not aged at all, are dying of consumption or other wasting diseases in a ward where the bedridden old men are lying and whose last days are thus saddened and disturbed. Also there are the unfortunate victims of chronic rheumatism and paralysis condemned to spend months and years in a close ward, where many sick people are lying and often (lying, and without any comforts to speak of, and little variety of food, and in th« men's wards no nurse but the male attendant And worse than all the cancer cases where poor fellow creatures are slowly dying of this most terrible disease, with so little to ease or render their pitiable fate more bearable. Surely this is a more crying want than any other, and in justice to the poor old people who have found a refuge for their declining years in the Costley Home, as well a* pity for (the afflicted, 1 hope friends may be found who will agree with me that a home for convalescents and incurables is what is most required.-I am, etc., Visitor {to Costley Home,