THE OLD PEOPLE'S HOME.

Colonist, Volume L, Issue 12159, 6 February 1908, Page 2

THE OLD PEOPLE'S HOME.

PROPOSED SALE 6f NEW SITE THE RESOLUTION REJECTED, At the meeting of the Charitable Aid Board last evening, Mr J. D. Beuke moved, acoording to notice : ' 'That the Board, in order to provide funds for the erection of a new home, considers it advisable to dispose of the new site, and requests the permission of the Government to do so.. " Since the Government provided^the funds for the purchase of the new site, the position had altered entirely. If they could sell the Waimea Road site they would be provided with a good deal of money. He considered the present site the best for the home, it was practically in the centre of the town, where supplies could be delivered at short notice. The new site wiis on a hill aide, and nearly two miles out of town. Why should they shunt the old people so far out of town* where they would never see Kelson again, as they would be unable to wait? in. It would be a cruel tbing to do it, h6 thought. He admitted that lor a private residence the situation could not be beaten. There were about two and a naif acres of land, which was too much for a home. They did not want the old people to work, and it would mean that half the land would be wasted. Mr Grace seconded' the motion. The matter had been warmly discussed in the newspapers, and opinion was divided. He would have liked to have included a request^to the architect to prepare plans for a suitable building at a oost of say £2000 or £2500. ; The reason of the trouble, he thought, was that the Government thought they were going to erect too elaborate a building. If his suggestion was included, the Government would see that their intentions were modorate. Thafy' however, could be considered later. His own opinion was that the 1 old, peoplo were too much lost sieht of, and out of town they Would be still more lO3t sight of. To remove them from association with their friends, would be"a hardship. They could ho properly controlled in town. If they gave them sanitary and convenient housing and proper supervision, there need not be any trouble in looking after them. It was not their duty to look after the morals of the old people so much as their comfort. They were not to change characters formed years ago, but if they got boisterous they could at least appeal to their better natures. If the old people were put out of town, it would be difficult for them to attend their religious devotions. Where they were they were handy to all the churpbes, which it would bo practically hn possible for them to reach from the Waimea Road site. Mr Pieid moved as an amendment that the matter be deferred for three months. There was no necessity for settling the matter at once. He was not particularly m favor of either site. At present he preferred the town one, but he wanted more time to consider the matter and hear other opinions. Mr Hoult seconded the amend^ nient. The new site was bought when he entered the Board. He was surprised that Mr Beuke should bring such a motion forward. He was a member of the Board when the site was bought, knew what was going on, and knew'that a Bill had been put through the House to enable the Board to sell the present site. He was surprised that he should now bring on such a motion. Mr Thorpe thought a great deal of false sentiment bad been imported into the matter. It was their duty to provide the old people with comfortable quarters in a suitable locality. It had been said that in Waimea Road the old people would not be able to attend church. He would like to know how many attended church, and how many attended the hotels. At Home such institutions were now being removed from the cities. He thought aa many people would pass and visit the new site as the old. Ho strongi ly favored the new site, but at the same tune he agreed wih Mr Field that the matter should be deferred. Mr Everett did not intend to support the amendment. He thought tbe motion should be killed at once. The last Board had been unanimous in approving of the new site, and he thought it strange that now among a certain section, opposition 3hould have arisen. He spoke strongly of the conduct of some of the inmates of the home, owing to the temptations they were exposed to in the town. It was a shame to keep the old people in the present position. The new site in Waimea Road was the best for the purpose in Nelson. If they kept the old people in the present place they were sacrificing to sentiment the characters of the inmates. He was surprised at Mr Beuke attempting to commence the subject de novo after nearly a year's discussion. The Chairman was also surnrised at Mr Beuke bringing the matter forward again. They" had all seen the newspaper articles on the subjoct, and the Board had previously formed its views. He regretted that the discussion had taken place, because it was entirely unnecessary. He did not think there would be. any difficulty in raising funds for the erection of the new building. He would like Mr Field to withdraw the amendment, so that they could vote directly upon the resolution. Mr Grace said many of the inmates were able to pay something for their support, being pensioners, and if tbe Board was so unwise as to build a home on the outskirts of the town it was probable that few of them would go into it. The Board would do"*well fo keep them under the Board's roof,- but they should give them comfortable quarters, and maintain discipline. Mr Hoult said if, as Mr Grace said, some of the inmates would leave the home, the sooner they did the better. If they were in a position to do so, they had no right to be there. He iutended to vote against the amendment, even though he had seconded it. Mr Grace asked for the chairman's ruling as to whether Mr Iloult could do this. The Chairman ruled that Mr Hoult need not necessarily vote for the amendment. Mr Thorpe said he bad intended to support tbe amendment for want of something better, and to gain time. He did not, however, think time was necessary, and the matter should be settled at once. Mr Beuke "explained that he bad changed bis position because of the action of the Government.. The position had entirely changed since the matter had been considered previously. The amendment was then put and lost by four votes to three. The resolution was also lost on the same vote.