HOME FOR INCURABLES.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 8524, 17 January 1906, Page 2

HOME FOR INCURABLES.

«^ .<•* DISCUSSION BY CHARITABLE AID BOARD. At tho meeting of the Charitable Aid Board this morning Mr C. J. Harper, chairman of tlie committee in charge of the Ash,bui*toai> Home, staid that the number of infkran old 1 men in the Home was becoming very large. The services of two attendants were required, and ths time was approaching when a trainred nurse would have*- to be emgaged. Mr J*'. Hofrrell said that it was quite clear that a home for incurables was urgently required. Mr Dobson said' that for nine yearns th© Hospital Board had been endeavouring to secu-*e an, infirmary, but the Goverainiant had never done more than promise to "keep it steadily in view." The hospital was full of infirm people, who did not really require hospital treatment, and should be in an infirmary. Mr S. Harris said that th© matter should be brought before tine Government again. Under the 'existing system people who had a right to treatment were kept out because incurables occupied the space. Mr Harper said tbat the Government was cutting up a large estate in the vicinity of Ashburton, and it oon>tained a large homestead. The building was too large for any farmer, aiid he suggested that it should be used as a home for incurables. It was about nine miles from Ashburton, and was connected with that town by telephone. Mr Horrell said that tbe home would have to be built by the local bodies. The Government would probably give a subsidy, but would liacrdly be persuaded to undertake the work. Mr J. Dunlop said that the old, worn-out men and women weaie not "incurables" in the proper sense of the word. They did not need skilled treatment. Mr Harper said that many incurable cases, such as cancer patiente, were turned out of the hospital and drifted into the Ashburton Home. The Boaad theca turned to another