HOMES FOR OLD PEOPLE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 11987, 9 June 1902, Page 7

HOMES FOR OLD PEOPLE.

TO THE EDITOR. Referring to Mr. W. H. Clark's letter of .lime 4, 1 would like to suggest the following plan, which has been successfully carried out in Victoria in the case of old colonists. A considerable piece of ground has been secured near Melbourne, and has been nicely fenced in. Within this boundary arc pretty gabled cottages, containing two rooms each, with scullery attached. Around these small bouses are little gardens, which each occupant is supposed to keep in order. Winding paths and plots of grass intervene, and give the enclosure a park-like appearance. These cottages have in many (I do not know if in all) cases been built at the expense of rich colonists and endowed by them. Each lucky tenant receives 8s a week for food, etc. Might not something of this kind be attempted here for old soldiers and their wives? I quite agree with Lord Ranfuily and others who sympathise with those who are separated in their old ago, just when they most require each other's society and assistance, for many of them are very feeble. And who should be so gentle a nurse as the companion of a lifetime? It was a matter of much surprise to me that anyone who could afford to pay 10s a week should continue to reside at such an institution as the Costley Home, when for that sum they could procure comfortable lodgings and be independent of State assistance. ' Perhaps some will say such lodgings could not be obtained here. If wo differ from the sister colonies in this respect, would it riot nay some decent family to establish a boardinghouse of this description for old pensioners?—l am, etc., Epsom. J. C. Corjjett.