LORD RANFURLY SPEAKS OUT.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 12366, 30 May 1902, Page 5

LORD RANFURLY SPEAKS OUT.

A BLOT ON AUCKLAND.

(Per United Press Assooiatiss.) AUCKLAND, May 29. in the course of a visit to the Sailors' Homo to-day the Governor (Lord Ban. furly) said:—This institution owes its ongm practically to the Costley legaoy. The other day I went over another institution that owes its origin also to the Costley legacy the Costley Homo for Aged I'oor. In my remarks upon that home I don't wish " ie management, or for™ p , 110 , ESlbl T 9 n«MMary regulations in lorce. But when I look round the home and at the number there, and eeo that there are about 200 inmates, and am informed that there are only two male and two female attendants to look after theso old peoplo 1 I 1 ,"" 0 . nl >; s "y that it is utterly and entirely Msuilictent. And what is the result? The place is not kept as clean as it should be, and the people are not kept as clean as they Should be. Then again, there is not that proper subdivision or classification that there should be. Tho sick cannot have proper attendance, and I have .failed to find out that they receive proper diet according to their illnesses. No doubt if a doctor may order any special diet they get it; but if none is ordered, they got the same food as other old people. Something more should be done for them. Ono other matter regarding this home: The cost of rood is 4s Ojd por woela per inmate. The whole cost of maintenance and food is 7s 4Jd per inmate per week. Many of those in the home are old-age nensioners. Out ot their pensions a sum of 6a por week is deducted. Many others are in reoeipt of Imperial pensions, being old soldiers, men who have fought, and in somo instances, bled for the Empire. Are they treated the same. No. Tho whole of their pension is taken away, and up to 10s per week. Why should thoy bo treated differently from old-age pensioners? I cannot understand this thing, and cannot see what justice there is m it. Also, I question very much the legality of taking 10s from these mon considering that, including all expenses, 7s " 'no total weekly cost. Is this a Costlev charity that is being run at a profit? I, mention those things publicly because it is only by tho peoplo of Auckland taking these things un that wrongs will ba righted, Tllß workhouses at Home are far better and far preferable in many things to the Costley Home. I hope on my next visit to find the Costley Home in a very different position. The Costley legacy for the Home for the Aged Poor seems to have been taken to do work that rates should legally have done, and the rates of tha city and district luivo been saved by that amount.