TOO MUCH EXPENSE

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 19915, 18 April 1939, Page 14

TOO MUCH EXPENSE

REST HOME SCHEME P.B. WOMEN’S RESPONSE ''A LOCAL ALTLRNATIVE I RAHIRI IDEAL PRAISED The opinion that only modest support could be found in Gisborne for a scheme 1.0 cost the district £3600 for the use of six beds in an institution so far distant as Putaruru. was expressed at a meeting held last evening, when the organiser of the Rahiri Women’s and Children’s Convalescent Home, Incorporated, Mr. J. R. Overton, laid his project before a number of delegates from women’s organisations.

The one representative of the male sex present, apart from the Mayor, the organiser, and a pressman, was Mr. A. Cassin, who advanced as an alternative to the Putaruru project, a suggestion that the Poverty Baj health camp premises, to be established this year, should be used in the off-season for purposes similar to those for which the Rahiri home is being promoted. This suggestion was welcomed as a constructive one, which would have the advantage of a district appeal in addition to the strong urge to help mothers who are not able to finance rest and convalescence in the regular homes now available.

Very Necessary Provision

The organiser was introduced by the Mayor, Mr. D. W. Coleman, M.P., who stated that he had not had much opportunity to study the scheme personally, but would be interested in hearing it propounded by the organiser. All would agree that a home for the accommodation of women who have been under a heavy strain was very necessary, and it would be realised that if Mr. Overton’s scheme were carried out, it would Ml a much-felt want.

/The name chosen for the home was “Rahiri,” the Maori word for welcome, said Mr. Overton, who explained that a provisional committee, headed by Lady Statham, as patroness, and Mrs. Mansford, Mayoress of Palmerston, as president, would take office next month at the first annual meeting of the assoication.

The site chosen for the home, the organiser continued, was at Putaruru on a farm of 750 acres at a level of 1100 ft. above sea-level. It would be fully staffed with qualified nurses and other staff assistance, including 10 trainees.

Place for Recuperation

The idea was that women of slender means should have some place to go to for recuperation, and that cases should be taken before they became serious. The Gisborne district would be allocated six beds, at a capital cost of £6OO each. The first cost would be the final cost, in far as the district was concerned, arid the maintenance would com'’ from the subscriptions of 2000 members of the society at £l is each. The home would include, at the request of doctors, 10 beds for more financial cases, who would have individual rooms. The financial side of the project was explained by Mr. Overton, who stated that salaries of Ihc home staff would cost £I7OO per annum, provisions £1475, and sundry costs £3OO. Members’ fees would bring in £2IOO, the single-room beds were estimated to bring in £1092; and the beds for the poorer patients would bring in £500,' making a total income of £3692. Wool and produce from the farm Would yield £3167, and the balance from the working account would be £1317. The net balance, after allowing for management expenses, would be £1069. Training Domestics The sum of £30,200 would buy the farm, stock it, and establish the hospital, he said. There was an opportunity for the general public to contribute at the rate of 2s 6d each, and he considered that if the project was taken up in the way it should be, the money required would be raised in six months. A number of women's organisations had undertaken to support the scheme by recommending their members to contribute Is per annum each, which would help to pay the expenses of needy cases getting to and from the rest farm.

The organiser explained further that the 10 trainees on the domestic staff would be prepared as domestic aids for private houses. When they qualified for a certificate of merit, at the discretion of the matron, they would be available for engagement by private employers, members of the society, having first call upon their services.

The Gisborne quota of members, said Mr. Overton, was 300, and this district would have at least one member on the board of management. Overlapping Possibility In the course of discussion, Mrs. H. Holmes pointed out that while she would withhold no help that could be given to women, she felt that people were doing all that they could by way of provision for them. The country had always done well by its womenfolk, and in recent years had raised the funds for the obstetrics chair at Otago University, and funds to support the Karitano system and health camps. What they must avoid was overlapping, which might mean that some organisations and objects now supported Would suffer.

- The Mayor pointed out that Mis. Holmes had mentioned several existing projects, none of which, however, had so far catered for the mothers as this scheme desired to provide for them. He could not see why anyone should to put obstacles in the way of this j.Aemc. when it was purely a question of voluntary giving. If it seemela little over-optimistic, as it did to him, he admitted, that was not for them to 4 ' criticise. If Mr. Overton could launch his scheme, he deseived every congratulation. If this meeting could do nothing to help thi

scheme along, they should at least do nothing to hold it back. “Purely Voluntary Scheme”

Mr. Overton explained that the proposition was purely voluntary, but had received a great deal of support. There had been It certain amount of opposition, in one or two cases, but one man in Auckland who had been very strongly opposed to the scheme at an inaugural meeting had, on examining the figures, developed a great enthusiasm for it. Others, too, had been impressed against their first judgment, on examining the project more closely. Mr. A. Cassin pointed oiu certain matters on whicli the organiser had given no detail in his general statement, these including the system of admission,, and the selection of admissible cases. The Mayor suggested that these were matters of detail which the board of management would settle as a matter of course. Health Camp Facilities Mr. Cassin remarked that it was worth while considering whether, < if a scheme of this kind were needed—as all would admit, perhaps—it would not be possikjg' ,o -do- sbme-' thing of the kind in Gisborne, .flo would not do anything to'.harm..the interests' of the women-folk, but the cost would have to be borne by the community, and it was only .reason-, able to suggest that what ■ could -bp done here should be done. Speaking as a member of the Poverty Health Camp committee, he was able to state that advice had been received that Gisborne wad to have its summer camp for children, and that the premises could in winter be used for any other suitable health purposes. The possibility of. the ,premises being used for a camp during the winter was one that should be fully considered. He' fe.lt.j that he would not be considered hostile to Mr. Overton’s scheme,- if he ' suggested that the money available j in this' district should 'be-spent-on

some local project. (Applause). Mr. Coleman: That is a constructive proposal. Warm Praise For Organiser Miss A. L. Rees spoke enthusiastically of the general idea of providing a medium for helping the mothers of the nations. If it proved that a local scheme were developed, even Mr. Overton woul doubtless feel satisfied that he naa inspired the thoughi behind it.

In the course of further discussion, Mrs. Jessie Pyke raised several questions as to the management of the farming venture in connection with the home. Other speakers drew

attention to the long travel between Poverty Bay and the proposed site of the home at Putaruru. Mr. Overton said that one reason for the selection of the Putaruru site was its central location, with the advantage that patients would have only moderate distances to travel. The discussion closed with a statement from Miss Rees that most of those present were delegates from different bodies, and we'-i not empowered . tb ' pledge support to the scheme without' consultation with (their respective organisations. • .the Mayor suggested that those •directly interested in the scheme should stay an'd discuss details with Mr. Overton.-' : The •' meet Mg closed with a vote of thanks to the visiting ' organiser, moved by Mr. Cassin.

In an interview to-day, the organjser .of the Rahiri Convalescent Home project stated that the people of this district, if they wished to reduce the expense of their contribution, could provide the capital cost of any number of beds up to six. It was not obligatory on this area to lake the full number allocated on the provisional. schedule.' It had been Celt, however, that Poverty Bay and the East Coa,st would wish to take a substantial : share in the proposal. Mr. Overton expressed his hope that, after a discussion" of details with leading residents, the full quota of beds for this 'district-would be taken up.