TALBOYS HOME

Otago Daily Times, Issue 27057, 16 April 1949, Page 8

TALBOYS HOME

Sir, —After reading a letter signed “ 3rd Bgde,", I have come to the conclusion that there has been a big misunderstanding. owing to the fact that we now have a convalescent home for soldiers on the same ground as the old people’s home. This should be made clear to the public, when letters are referring to the aged people. The soldiers have the RSA behind them to see that they do get justice, and the aged people are in need of a similar organisation.—l am, etc.. John P. Morris. Mosgiel Junction. Sir,—ln reply to Mr J. P. Morris, Mosgiel, if the persons to whom he has spoken are so concerned in the above home, why not let us get together and see what can be done for the old folk and the sick there? I have visited the place for some time now and know something of what it is like. 1 should be pleased to hear from any Christian people who are interested in the improvement ot this home.—l am, etc.. Faithful.

Sir, —I was pleased to see " Concerned’s ” letter in answer to my own, but was amazed to see one this morning from

“ 3rd Brigade,” actually an inmate of Talboys, upholding this institution. I had hoped that my letter and “ Concerned’s ” might bring this matter to the light of the people, but any good which we might have done seems to have been swept away by this last letter. Still, as “ 3rd Brigade ” seems to be perfectly satisfied with things the way they are. I presume he speaks for the majority of the other inmates, as otherwise his letter has done more harm than good. Yet I fail to see where I and my comrade are wrong. Perhaps I might state here that I am a woman and, like Miss Mabel Howard, view tilings differently from a man. " 3rd Brigade " says that the meals are pretty good for tlie small amount they pay for them. In other words they are content with the little they get, which seems to me to indicate that they must not expect anyone in their position in life to get more.

As I have said before, I have been on visits there many times, and 1 fail to see the cheerfulness and hearty spirit prevailing among the men and womenfolk there which prompts “ 3rd Brigade ” to write his letter. What about the, old folk who are not able to help themselves out there? The nurses do their duty, of which I cannot complain, but do they realy like doing it? I know that some of them count the days, if not the hours, when their time out there is up. What is “ 3rd Brigade ” to say to that? I am more than pleased to know that my friend out there is satisfied with his lot, but may I say that as a ratepayer I am not satisfied with mine when I see this morning Selwyn College being renovated, not to mention all the other places which have been practlcaly rebuilt. Maybe I have got this home on the brain but I cannot in my conscience feel that everything is being done for our old folk out at Talboys, in spite of the cheerful letter of “ 3rd Brigade." There is plenty of space to provide for the old people while the main building is being renovated, so what is stopping the. council? Why do they not write to the Government and demand that something be done abotit this place? After all, it was the Minister» of Health who condemned the place and was so appalled by the general appearance, both inside and out. It is time Dunedin woke up and realised its tesponsibilltes to Its pioneers. If I am wrong, as “ 3rd Brigade ” says I am, then X .can only say that his standards and my own are vastly different.—l am, etc., Worried.