THE RECORD REIGN.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIV, Issue 10434, 5 May 1897, Page 5

THE RECORD REIGN.

HOW It SHOULD BE CELEBRATED

JN AUCKLAND*

PUBLIC MEETING OF CITIZENS. A PDBLio meeting of citizens convened ih accordance with the , decision arrived at by the committee of the Auckland City Ooilncil) was held in the Council Chambers yesterday. There was a fairly large attendance of representative citizens, anibiig those present being the Hons. Messrs. Swansoh and McCulloUgh, M ; L.C.'s ( J. J. Holland, M.H.R;, Che. Stichbury, liignan, A. Gloved R. Farrell, J. Tlidrnes (Mayor of Pai-tiell), \V; J. Napier (Chairman of the Harbour Board), P. A. Phi Ups (Town Clerk), Revs. Dr. Purchas* F. Larktos, U. B. Monro, and C. M. Nelson, Dr. Snarniah, Dr. King, J. (Jpton, Eueeter, J. Abbott, Ailotn, and others. Several ladies were also present. Mi , . J. UPTONiWho was voted to the chair, said that letters had been received from several of tboeo who had been taking an interest in the matter, and who forwarded suggestions .as to the best manner ih which the Record Reign could best be celebrated in Auckland. The first letter was from Mrs. J, Goodall, hon. secretary of the Floral Fete, who wrote as follows :— " Aβ rnany schemes are at present being discussed for a fitting celebration of the Queen's record reign it may interest you to know that after the success of lasb year's Floral Fete, the Auckland Ladies" BeneVdlehb Society determined this year's function should be devoted te some permanent work for the benefit of Auckland and as a commemoration of the record reign of our beloved Queen, so offered to get up 'a monster lite ab Elleralis this year) the proceeds to be principally devoted to the erection of A children's ward ab the Auckland hospital, not to a new institution, as the present Hospital site is one of the most eligible, sunny, and healthy spot Id be found in Oiir city, and is already furnished with separate accommodation for the treatment of infectious diseases, such as diphtheria) scarlet fever, etc., and the cost of maintenance would scarcely be increased. We certainly agree with the necessity for a convalescent! homes, knowing by cases constantly coming under our notice, the necessity for further nursing and good food that inatiy patients discharged from the Hospital require before they are fib to resume dieir various means of livelihood. Is ib not within the power of the Auckland people to carry out both these good works, and by hearty co-operation bring them to a successful issue ?"

. the second letter was tread front Mr. W.B. Sadler* Pohsonby. who suggested that a memorial tower should be erected; The City Engineer Wrote as follows :— Amongst the numerous proposals to celebrate the record reign of Her Majesty the Queen, there is one of considerable importance to the whole community, which can be made available as a convalescent home, and a place of recreation for all time in the native bush. The City Council have had retiently handed over to them about; 5000 acres of native bush in the Waitalcerei Hills for a public park or recreation ground. What better place Could be found for a health resort than this magnificent estate. A convalescent home could be built here on a site to be selected in proximity to the Falls, and made of sufficient size to answer also as a house of call for visitors. It can easily be imagined bow papular this place would become in a few years, not only as a convalescent home* but as an attraction for holiday visitors. A suitable building might be erected as a start for, say £3000. It would also be necessary to lay out about £1000 in opening up paths through the ranges, and when ib became necessary a hew approach would be required with easier grades. A doctor and his wife should hare charge of the whole establishment, and the profits be appropriated for its maintenance. I do Hot think it necessary to go into details at present, but in this proposal an opportunity is presented of not only celebrating the Record Reign of Her Majesty the Queen in a becoming manner, in erecting a home for convalescents in the People's Park in Waltakerei Ranges, but also in opening up a public domain, to be Called the Victotla National Park, which will have an increasing attraction and beneficial effect for all time in Connection with Her Majesty's subjects in this part of the Island of New Zealand.

Proceeding to speak of the object for Which the meeting had been convened, the chairman said it was one which should commend itai'lf to every inhabitant of the colony. The Queen's reign, a unique one in itself, was remarkable also for the nobility of character and the womanliness of the head of the nation. The reign had witnessed the greatest development of individual liberty and social life that had ever taken place during the life of a sovereign) and they should, therefore, celebrate in a fitting manner the Jubilee Reign of Her Majesty. (Hear.) He trusted the Auckland people would do so worthily, that they would take steps to commemorate the occasion in a way whioh would show in au anmi'takeable manner to tho rest of the British Empire that the Auckland people recognised the good qualities of her who presided over tho nation. Hβ thought also that tho commemoration should take the

form of doingsoniothingfor their fellow-men. (Hear.) Sα far as ho could tee the people at Home were anxious to celebrate the occasion in such a manner, and he thought no better method than that of doing something for the benefit of tho more unfortunate of Her Majesty's subjects could be suggested. As to the other details the meeting could discuss the several proposals already made. Mr. StifIUBDRY moved, '-That in the opinion of this meeting the most fitting Way to oommemorate the record reign of Her Mnjesty the Queen would be to build a children's hospital, to be called the "Victoria Hospital for Children," and that contributions be invited from residents of the city of Auckland and surrounding districts for the above purpose." The speaker referred to the other suggestions whioh had been made, and though he admitted that all were in a way deserving of support, he thought the claims of the children's hospital were by far the most important. At the present time there was not suitable accommodation for children at the hospital, and the little ones really had note fair chance to recover. They were confined, and if they were given liberty and allowed to run about the place as they should do they would be u source of annoyance to the other patients. They had a splendid site available, and he had no doubt the Auckland people would respond liberally to any call which might be made on them. The majority of the members of the medical profession favoured the erection of a children's hospital in preference to the other schemes proposed, and he thorefore tiusted that the motion would receive the support of those present. Mrs. L, F. Rattbay seconded the motion, which ehe strongly supported. Those who knew the manner in which the children were at present housed would agree that a separate hospital was required. There would be plenty of space, and the chances of the children recovering would bo greater than at present, Mrs. Rattray expressed the opinion that the people of Auckland would loyally support such a project (Applause). Mr. John Abbott proposed as an amendment, "That in the opinion of this meeting Her Majesty's Diamond Jubilee would be niojt appropriately commemorated by creoting e structure in brick in lieu of the wooden one at present used for the Jubilee Institute for the Blind." He did not wish to «»y a single word in disparagement of the other proposals made, but was strongly of opinion that the Blind Institute had the strongest claim on the sympathies of the public. The present building was in many ways unsuitable, and the sum of £3000 would satisfy ill requirements. Mr. A. J. AuiOM seconded the amendment.

Mr, Glovib complimented theladioswho, through hard work in the cause of philanthropy, had collected the sum of £700, and said he was assured that the amount would before long.be increased to £1000. The ladies, he was pleased to state, only wished to act in the best interests of. suffering humanity, and were i willing to support either convalescent home or a children's hospital' ... .-.- ■■<&}■ d ' Dr. Pokohas supported the proposal to establish a convalescent) , horn*. Provision had already been made for the blind tod for the children, while there was no provision' for, the ; reception of, convalescent*. The statements aside at the meeting, »ad in public prints at to the ■ manner in which children were boused at the Hospital were,

lie considered) a serious reflection on the management. If it were necessary thai a separate hospital should be provided for children by all means. let there hi brie, but let it be founded by those who had charge 6f the ihstitutlbh , , and whose duty it was to provide such adcommodation. It waa a matter of ordinary duty( and ihoiild ndt require any special effort to be carried ottb; The need for a convalescents. , home was great, and a suitable property (which would bo available) waa now held In trust; .It was necessary that there should be such a home tor the sick, and those who had visited convalescent homes ill other places could nob fail to be Struck with their advantages. The Rev. Mr. Labium approver! heartily of both schemes, and thought that both could be taken in hand ; while Mr'. J. W. TiGdE {master of the Blind Institute) supported Mr'. Abbott's proposal, stating that the present building was mosb unsuitable for the purpose. Dr. SiURMAit advocated the establishment of a children's hospital* to be kept separate froth the present) institution* his remarks beih* similar to those recontly published in the Herald in the form of an interview. He took it that the desire on the part of the public was to erect a memorial frdta the Auckland people; hence the necessity of having a separate institution, the whole management of which (except professional management) would be In the hands of the subscribers. The Ladies Benevolent Society would, he was assured, supporb either scheme, and he suggested that a committee be appointed to ascertain Which of the two schemes meb with most favour . With the Auckland public. Several bthbr speakers followed, Dr. RtJiti supporting the establishment, of a convalescents' honie, which he thought was urgently required. ilr. W. J. Napier supported the motion in preference to the amendment and the proposal to .establish a convalescents' home, which, seeing that there waa a sanatorium at Botorua, was nob required. It would require £15,000 to build a convalescent home, and where was the money to come from ? Mr. J. J. Holland, though favouring the 1 erectidh of a children's hospital, thought that the meeting should beadjdurned until some evening next Week, id that the public who tfero engaged during the day might attend and express an opinion on the subject. He tnoved to thateffecb. Mr. FARBELL.thoughdifiering from the last speakerin thatheeupported the proposal bo erect a suitable building for the blind, favoured an adjournment, as the Working classes should be consulted, and their Wishes ascertained. Mr. Eugstbr, Mr. PfttLLtFSi and Rev. Mr. LAttkiNs aUo spoke, after which the motion for the adjournment was pub to the meeting, and lost. Discussion was then continued. Mr. Phillip's considered the erection of a children's hospital was, properly Speaking, the duty of the State, and riot of the public. A convalescent home Wns, however, dtgently required, and the faob that there was not such an institution at present in the city Was a reflection on the people of Auckland. A convalescents' home could, if desired, be also used as a borne for incurables, and its erection Would be in every way worthy of the Occasion atid be a credit to the city, Mesdamea Nelson and GoobAtL also spoke, after Whibh Mr. SticWtjßT replied. He stated that if they could not decide between thetwosoheineslebthemadopbboth, afterwards ascertaining which one was preferred by the public. The Chairman expressed the opinion that the public would be willing to give practical and hearty support to whichever scheme was adopted; Mr, Abbott's amendment Was then pub to the meeting arid lost. Dr. PtrUtiiiAs then Moved, as a further amendment, "That a convalescent home be established as a memorial of the Queen's Jubilee reign." The amendment was then pub to the meeting and carried. On being put as the substantive motion, a further amendment was moved by Mr. Stltohbury : " Thab the words ' and a children's hospital' be inserted after the words' 'convalescent home."

Rev. Mr. Larkins seconded. the amended motion was then pub to the meeting and carried. A short discussion followed, some of the speakers maintaining that the carrying out of two schemes was impracticable, and its adoption by the meeting would have the effect of killing both. Eventually on tho motion of Mr. Farrell, seconded by Mr. Dignan (who said the subscribers could decide as to what scheme should be gone on with), ib was decided to hold a public meeting on an evening next Week to allow of an expression of opinion being obtained from the general public.