LITTLEBOURNE HOUSE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23529, 18 June 1938, Page 28

LITTLEBOURNE HOUSE

mi i iif- Kiirmii I wish to commend Captain Gallaney on his proposal to the City Council and other interested bodies regarding Littlebourne House. I am afraid that “ Citizen ” has failed . to keep note of all the avenues that have been explored by the council in its effort to carry out the terms under which the property was given to it and at the same time not have it a burden on the ratepayers of this city. The viceregal project was found to be impracticable, As one of the younger generation. I am sure we shall never be able to repay the “digger” who sacrificed health and home during 1914-18 and faced dangers unknown in previous wars—i.e., high explosive shells and various gases—to make it possible for the comforts and freedom we enjoy today. Now. 20 years after the war many of them are going down hill fast, and it is up to us all to see that in the few remaining years of their life they shall have all that is in our power to give. With very little expense. I am sure this fine building and the grounds could be made into a veterans’ home, and, as’ Mr Gal Taney suggests, could almost be made selfsupporting. I do not think for one moment any objection would be raised by the members of the Roberts family if their late home were put to this purpose. We will be told that the “ digger ” is well provided for now in the way of pensions, but monetary comfort is not all that ho requires. Each Anzac Day. when we witness the

parade, surely brings home to us a sense of the declining physical and mental state of our heroes of other days. Now is a chance for Dunedin to say, “There is our home for heroes.” —I am, etc., Thomas Mclimes. Dunedin, June 17. TO THE EDITOB Sir, —I notice that Captain Gaffaney is again advancing the claims of the returned soldiers to the use of Littlebourne House as a war veterans’ home. It seems then, that our Diggers expect a large share in everything that is going these days, and it must be apparent to them that the returned men of this city are very well catered for as regards charitable aid. To such a great extent are the soldiers considered that it appears one might well be permitted to ask them: Should the council eventually decide to grant them the use of Little bourne House would, they be willing to delay their occupation of it until the council sees its way clear to install garages for the use of each particular inmate? —I am. etc.. Neglected, TO THE EDITOR Sir,—Much has been said about a use to which Littleboume House might be put, and many suggestions have been made. One wonders if anything will be done in the matter. I would noi belittle the idea of a home for war veterans, for they need all the comfort and consideration they can get. Truly they are victims of a system which still goes on. I would like to suggest that the house, with its beautiful grounds, with easy access to the city, and with many rooms, might be turned into a hostel for women, where they might enjoy the beautiful surroundings and be comfortable. Many women, who sacrificed their early years in looking after parents and never married, have as a result no home of their own, and no friends or relatives, or. even if they have these, they have that independence which makes them want to provide for themselves. Some are still working: others are receiving pensions and have to be content with hovels not fit to live in, or else have the back room of somebody else’s home —no place for them There is no place in Dunedin for elderly women in which to find comfort. If a hostel were run something like the Y.W.C.A. one is. it would be a boom to many who cannot find suitable places. Failing that, what about a home for nerve or partly mental cases—a home between the Hospital and Seacliff, a place of use and not ornament? Both are needed in Dunedin. —I am, etc., A Woman.