OLD MEN'S HOME

Ashburton Guardian, Volume VII, Issue 1943, 13 September 1888, Page 3

OLD MEN'S HOME

At the meeting of the Charitable Aid Board m Ohristchurcb on Wednesday, the following report en the Aahburton Old Men's Home was read : — " The Secretary has the honor to report that m accordance with Ids' ructions he proceeded to Ashburton and Inspected each inmate cf tbe Ojd Men's Homt. There Is no doubt that the men for tbe moat part are altogether past work, some of them being extremely aged, whilst many aro aoff;ring from chronic asthma, rheumatism or other lofirmities, Still there may be found several who should be required, now tbat the season is advancing, to find their way about In search of light employment, even if It were found nooeasary at some future time to grant them temporary re-admission. On the subject of obtaining admission to the Home, yonr reporter would respectfully submit that great care needß to be exercised before granting applications for permanent residence, as it appears tbat "several men at different times have sucoeeded m getting Id, who have come straight from other charitable aid districts, and who might well have been required to quit after night or two's shelter, whereas ' once m it is difficult to refuse to retain them It ia evident that a considerable proportion of the present inmates have no special claim to be supported at the expense of the North Canterbury ratepayers, seeing that the best years'bf so many lives have been spent, if not wasted, m Otago, Victoria, and elsewhere. Fur the preaa-.t state of things there can hacdly be found a remedy, the duration of residence m almost every case having preoluded any possibility of expecting Otago to bear the burden of their future maintenance. There are a few cases which the Board might fairly consider as eligible for transfer to the new Homo at Wools ton ; the vaoanclea could be filled by some of the old men at present at Armagh street." Mr Harris 3Q thought tbe Secretary 'a vlalt had been productive of much good. The report was accepted.