FOOD FOR AGED POOR

NZ Truth, Issue 1228, 13 June 1929, Page 4

FOOD FOR AGED POOR

Complaints of Old People Are Not Yet Answered IS HOSPITAL BOARD HEDGING? (From "N.Z. Truth's" Special Dunedin Representative) '-'' : Four months ago. "N.Z. Truth" published an article exposing the conditions at the Old Men's Hpm-3, Caversham, as being anything but consistent with a right-thinking citizen's idea of a haven for the aged. . -- '

HAD members of the Hospital Board | had the ffritvto. admit the truth of >... that article by trying; to .better the lot of the unfortunate Inmates "at the home, there would not have been need for a second : bi te at what now— so far as public palate is concerned — is a very over-ripe and bitter cherry. If,, at that time, members of the Hospital Board had given the matter attention, they would either have looked into the cofnpla hits lodged with i his newspaper, or invited a "Truth." represehta^ tive to accompany, a board member ori • n impromptu visit to the home during a meal hour: vWith the exception of a -plate of soup recently ' inpluded m the dinner menu, the' fare ; at the home' is exactly as it was m January. ' . ' . Until the Hospital Board can satisfy the public that genuine efforts are being made to settle the smouldering dissatisfaction ; within the walls of the Cayersham HoVne, . complaints will •.continue to be lodged by the old people. ■ '..' , ' Before tlie recent municipal election, some of the candidates (successful and otherwise) for . the Hospital : Board labored the : point that inmates of the dtaero Benevolcjiit Institution, had no grounds fpr doni plaint. •, '.! - : . ' A \candidate who stood and was defeated at the recent;, eiec'ioris; even went to thevtrbub.le of reading out at a public -a menu which might have come from the saloon table of a, Uiail boat. , ".'■ /.'V'This.Vhe, contended, was the fare at 'he benevolent institution, and was v certified to by a J.p. who had secured

the signatures of a number of inmates. .He omitted, however, to state that the menu compiled was a studied tabulation ,of the food given -m the infirmary wards, of which . many of the irfmates are on a special diet. . : Yet,, the public were under the impression that this"was the fare for .the whole of the institution. Approach any one of the old; men,: who, day after, day, sit with their 'thoughts ar binid the sunny corners ■of , the -yard: Ask him how often he gets an egg for his breakfast, and he will tell you: "Once a year, at Christmas time!" • • . - ■ : ' - Ask him how of ten. he -gets 'steals and onions f or . dinner, and ; ironically^ he will admit: "About every six months!" Congratulate him on the supper he receives at 7 o'clock each evening, and he'll tighten his grip on his V . old_stick before asking you if you' are really m earnest. ' , ."N.Z. Truth" throws^ out an open' challenge to. any member "of the -HospiV tal Board to accvmpany its representative on a visit r.to the home during: one •or two meal-times, 'without the home custodian being notified of the visit. ... - „ ;;■'■ * ■'. "•" .■ v. ; '- . '••"'..'• ;•'■■•. If it can be shown that the inmates have no occasion! for complaint, and are wrong' m saying that the Otago Benevolent 'Institution is a . "dear boarding-house," the Hospital -Board can rest assured that the public will be fully notified 'that the present- seething undercurrent of discontent • Among- the inmates bf the home is nothing but a •whimsey of old age. '■'■'■..' • . ■'. , ;