AGED PEOPLE'S HOME

Otago Witness, Issue 3338, 6 March 1918, Page 39

AGED PEOPLE'S HOME

FOUNDATION STONE LAID. There was a large attendance at the laying of the foundation stone of the Presbyterian Social Service Association's home for aged people at North-East Valley on Saturday afternoon. The gathering was most enthusiastic throughout, which augurs .well for the success of the institution. The proceedings opened with devotional exercises, after which the Rev. Andrew Cameron (chairman of the association) gave an address. He congratulated the Church upon having reached this stage in connection wjth her social service schemes. Eleven years ago they began this work, and during that period they had been looking forward to the time when they would be doing something for the aged people. 'However, tho work of the young people had occupied their attention during these years, and they now had the Glendining Home at Grant's Braes, and tho Clyde Street Home. The last mentioned! had been occupied by boys who were learning trades, but the demand for the care of the younger people had become so great that the boys who were learning trades were being boarded out, and the Clyde Street Homo was being used for younger children. Then the Church had similar institutions in Invercargill, Christchurch, Wellington, and Auckland, all of which had <, been founded since the Presbyterian Social Service Association commenced its operations. - It had been _ suggested that the institutions he had mentioned should be called the Presbyterian Social Service orphanages, but they had retained the larger name because • they had a larger vision, and cared for young and old. They had not in any way fulfilled the programme which they hoped to see carried out ,by the Church in its social work for the community. The site upon which they stood that day had been presented to them with characteristic generosity by Mr John Ross, and it was in consequence of this fine gift that the association had been able to undertake this particular work so soon. The portion of the building before them was only a central block. There would be a block on either side of it, which would comprise a series of separate rooms which the inmates of the institution would be able to occupy and enjoy themselves in during the last years of their lives. At the back they hoped to have a hospital ward which was absolutely necessary for the proper carrying out of the work which the association felt ought to be done. The main portion of the building would cost £5500, the hospital portion £2200, and each of the side portions £ISOO. When completed the place would be an ideal home and just what, was required for the comfort of the aged people. Mrs John Ross, in the absence of her husband (and with a silver trowel • presented to her by Messrs Fletcher Bros., tire contractors) declared the foundation t stone well and truly laid. The Chairman said that under this stone were a copy of thai day's issue of the Otago Daily Times, the annual report of the association, a copy of the Outlook, and a copy of the programme of the day's ceremony. He also stated that Mrs Ross had asked him to say that her little granddaughter, five years old, had sent her savings to be laid on this stone. This announcement evoked an outburst of applause. The chairman, under the direction of the "contractors, conducted the formal ceremony of laying the memorial stone," and he also was presented with a silver trowel to mark the occasion.

A prayer of dedication was offered up by the Rev. R. E. Davies. The Rev. E. A. Axelsen was the next speaker. He said that this was one of their red letter days. For years they had it in their minds to do this work for the aged people. He had not a single word_ of criticism to offer regarding any institutions which were working for the aged people. He was convinced that the work at Caversham was being carried out as well as it could be carried out. Then there was the home at Anderson Bay, conducted by the Roman Catholic Church, where many aged people received the utmost kindness. "We would bo poor shrivelled souls," said' the speaker, "if we could not rejoice on this work, whether done by the State or by the Roman Catholic Church."—(Applause.) The provision for aged people at the present time was quite inadequate. ''We must do our utmost for our old people," he said'. "Even those who have led a misspent life—the poor and wretched human beings—must be made happy." Continuing, he said that the Church was behind the charitable aid boards in their care of the aged people. They were just commencing to take that reproach away from the Church of the Lord Jesus Christ. One feature of the home would be the fact that aged couples would be able to spend their last years together, and not be compelled to part after 50 or 60 years of the battle of life. This home had been started in the faith that the money required for it would be forthcoming. So far they had £SOOO towards the cost, but, they wanted at least £IO.OOO. and by faith they would receive it. A start had already been made through the saved coppers of a little girl having been laid on the 'stone. Tie appealed for a generous response to a collection which was to be taken up_ It was announced later that the collection had resulted in £169 being subscribed. The Mayor of Dunedin. (Mr J. J. Clark) and Dr Riley addressed the gathering, coneratnlatlng the Church and the Presbyterian Social Service Association upon the advancement it had made in its work. During the afternoon the Salvntion Armv Band supplied a very acceptable musical

programme, for which it "vyns accorded a hearty vote of thanks, on the motion of the Rev. Mr Saunders. Tho proceedings closed with the benediction and the singing of the National Anthem.