Urgent Need For Housing Of Aged Claimed By M.P.

Press, Volume XCV, Issue 28261, 26 April 1957, Page 17

Urgent Need For Housing Of Aged Claimed By M.P.

“The blind and crippled cannot get into institutions, and the length of their lives depends on our housing them this winter,” said Miss M. B. Howard, M.P., at Wednesday’s meeting 'of the North Canterbury Hospital Board.

Reporting on accommodation for the aged, the benevolent committee reported that the board’s views had been conveyed to the Director of the Hospitals Division of the Health Department (Dr. C. A. Taylor), and a reply was awaited. The architect had been authorised to proceed with the single line drawings for the old people’s home at Waltham. Old people in Christchurch were living unkempt and dirty on the river banks and in hovels, and would die like “dogs in a hole” unless they were housed, said Miss Howard. Blind and crippled persons could not get into institutions.

“The length of their lives depends on our housing them this winter,” she said. The board should not be at the beck and call of Dr. Taylor. If an official of the Health Department could not fly down for a day to see the buildings, the board should again see the Minister. The idea of housing was that of the Minister, who should be button-holed again. The board should present him with a finished scheme for altera-

tions at the children’s home at Waltham. The alterations could be done in a few weeks, and the old people housed before the winter. Probable Deaths “Eight or nine urgent cases will probably dig if we don’t house them this winter,” said Miss Howard, “yet we procrastinate all round the place.” Mr L; Christie: It may be one day for Dr. Taylor; but it may increase the life of these old people by 100 days. An immediate survey of the home at Waltham to accommodate aged people and of the fresh air home at Cashmere to accommodate children from Waltham was proposed by a motion of Mrs T. Green, seconded by Mrs J. E. Mackay. There was no need for Dr. Taylor to visit Christchurch, because he knew the position, said Mr H. A. Bennett. Dr. Taylor had not kept faith with the board and had tried to put a “sprag in the wheel” when the board approached the Minister, said Miss Howard. Having given him time, the board should move.

Mrs Green’s motion was carried and, on Miss Howard’s motion, it was also decided to ask the Minister to approve of the board proceeding with a housing plan without delay and to inform him of all moves and projected moves.