OPEN-AIR HOMES.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 270, 18 December 1914, Page 3

OPEN-AIR HOMES.

SITE NOT SETTLED. At a meeting held yesterday afternoon of the Executive Committee of the fund raised for the purpose of building a home for consumptive children, at which the Mayor presided, the chairman was authorised to hand over the amount collected to the Hospital and Charitable Aid Board, and plans for a building to be erected just above the present Sanatorium, and providing for four boys and four girls, were approved. The cost of the building is estimated to be between £I9OO and £2OOO. The sketch plans of a larger building to be erected when a suitable site is found were also approved, though no detailed plans will be drawn up until the site is secured. With reference to the site, Dr Blackmore stated that there was a most suitable area within five minutes walk of the present Sanatorium, but the .owner refused to sell. The land was obviously being held for speculative purposes, and he considered that all would.agree that a man who refused to do something for the benefit of the race, but would rather make a profit, one who would not do anything to help the children of the country, was acting in a manner far removed from true patriotism.

It was pointed out that if it Government's intention to make the Sanatorium the centre for the South Isthere would be no difficulty in getting an additional 50 acres near the present building, but the difficulty of acquiring land under the Public Works Act was that fancy prices would have to be paid for it. . In answer to the hope expressed by the Mayor, that the Home would be devoted to Canterbury children, since the citizens of the district had subscribed the money and. could expect relief from, rates and compensation for what they had done, Dr Blackmore replied that the money collected would be expended on the care of Canterbury children.