LITTLE SISTERS OF THE POOR.

Otago Witness, Issue 2883, 23 June 1909, Page 40

LITTLE SISTERS OF THE POOR.

A BRIGHT HOME FOR THE AGED. There is an atmosphere of gladness pervading a large, turreted, red-brick building which, ringed, with old fir trees, crowns the heights above Anderson's Bay. There is the gladness of sunshine streaming into cheerful rooms through great wide win-

dows; the exhilarating effect of pure air

wafted fresh from hillside and sea, and the joy that comes from living on an eminence, round which ocean, city, hill, and valley out?D t- ead in visions glorious. This is the newly-completed Home for the Aged, built by the Little Slisters of the

Poor, whose genial faces prophesy that eyes that are old and dim ehaJl see nothing but the brightest prisms in life's kaleidoscope. Though brand-new, bright, and large, the building is comfortable-looking rather than

imposing.

Its three stories are of red

brick, covered with a red-tiled roof, and present three verandahs of generous dimensions to the sun. It is fronted by a broad terrace overlooking a lawn, and here the visitor meets with the good Mother (Skte: Appoline) and her welcome. The basement floor contains a fine roomy

kitchen, offices, a refectory for nine sisters, innoke, bath, and boot rooms, and is penetrated by three halls -running- the breadth of the building. There cxc exterior ascents, and staircase-, inside. On the second floor is amp'e accommodation for over 60 people, they tell you. (though you think a regiment could be housed comfortably^. The chapel is ono of the brightest places in the home, lit by windows on both sides. It is in every way complete, with vestries for the priests, and warm dashes of colour are supplied by the pictures around the walls.

During the inspection the Good Mother teife you !iow the Litt'e Sisters of the Poor have similar establishments all the world over. In Paris, London, Calcutta, America — everywhere, in " fact. She herself come* from France, and reflects its eunshine. She has also been for jears in the home in Calcutta., on the Baligunga road. She loves l?ranoe, naturally, but loves her work better. Perhaps she would like to return— eomo day : but hers is not a lifs of likes and dislikes. "We are lite eoldiers," sbxs explains; "we are sent, and- we go." You also learn that theee homes are. all ruled just in the sam^ way as the one at headquarters, near Hen.^js, in Brittany. Here in this home there are three French sisters, including the Good Mother one Scotch Sister, one Italian, and four Australians, and they do all the work, the cooking, the mendin.g, tihe cleaning, tend, and often feed and dress the old folks, and nurse the eick. This brings one to the infirmary, roomy, airy, and well-lighted, like all the other rooms. Here ere the sitting and bedrooms, bath rooms, and lavatories, with •easy access to the great broad verandah, bathod in sunshine. - Dr O'Neill is the visiting ntedical officer. Eleewhero a hall divides the teexes, who, however, may mingle in discourse on the verandahs aforesaid, or in the garden. One old man has celebrated his 105 th birthday and there is a little old Ifdy of 96. The Good Mother save, " we keep them living to a great age, ■with care." " Here's someone come to see rou,'' said a sister on Monday, affectionately seizing a lrttle old lady by the shoulders. Tha old lady smiled happily. " Good mornins:, voue honour s reverence," she said.- ; ("Was ever a pressman addressed as "Your honour's rc-vprence " befoi-e-?) Pressed for her age, she acknowledged to, being 47, whereupon the titter leughingly reminded j her that she has lost the forties long ago, and that rhs had meant ar " eight*" instead of :i " four."' I

Throughout all three stories is apparent the care which has been bestowed to make the lot of the old people healthy and happy. When the sky is clear the rooms are flooded with sunshine, and provision is made for cold or rainy days by a system of hot water healing, which' gives warmth without any clanger of fire. The place is lit throughout by electricity, and is thoroughly up to date in the "matter of sculleries and nffiees. including eight lavatories and a number of bathrooms. The food, <ii<&-ss, etc.. are conveyed ups'airs by means of lifts.

These homes are not built by the Roman Cat-nolic Church, but by the Lit.tle Sisters of the Poor. This one cost £9500, tho fou.k of which has been given by the people of Duncdm. The Good Mother said: The Protestant .j>eople of Dunedin have •*«> ry , kind t0 us " In addition to the trood Mother, the staff consists of sisters— assistant,— Superintendent Fibroni. Sister" IJennis, Anno. .Stephen, Mary, Dumitllc Anna-., ami Eugenic. On Monday our reporter noticed ladies In lay attire busy cleaning windows, and was jnfoimed that seveial ladies of Dunedin nad volunteered to come and assist in putting the place in order, and this has been a. great Jieln to tho «ister.s, who Uv ths way. are busy from the time of "rising at 4.30 a.m. till they retire at 9 at night. Jsa:d a sister on Monday: "Sometimes we are so busy that we havo hardly lime for prayer, but (brightening) you sep our work after all j* nrayer — nractical prayer." The building will be opened on Sunday afternoon by his Grace Archbishop Redwood. There will bo a large gathering both or cleray and laity. In this connection t3ie Good •Mother wishes if understood that though a. number of invitations have been issued, if t's impossible to send th^rp to everyone but even if everybody has not been invited, everybody is welcome to the cermony. The architect is Mr F. W. Petre.