AT OHIRO HOME.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 583, 11 August 1909, Page 5

AT OHIRO HOME.

INMATES' POCKET-MONEY. - The other day the Trustees of the Wellington Benevolent Institution seriously discussed the question- of stopping the pocket allowances paid to the inmates at the Obiro Home, and among .other statements made during, the discussion,, it was alleged that certain: of tho inmates had been seen returning home from ,an outing in the city, under the influence of liquor. It was finally deoided to defer further consideration of the question until another meeting, in order that Mr. A W.. Hogg,, who was stated to have originated the jidea of pocket allowances, "should bo present. ' : At tho board's meeting yesterday, Mr. Hogg mads a personal explanation with regard to the matter. Ho wished to correct ■a _ misapprehension which' appeared to exist with reference to the originator of the scheme for the provision' of pocket allowances to the inmates. It was Mr.-' J. - Eman Smith; Superintendent" of tho Old Age Pensions Department, who first moved in. the matter, nothe, (Mr. Hogg) as had been stated. 'Mr. Smith had .drawn attention to tie fact that the Wellington- Benevolent Institution was tho only charitable body which did not make .some pocket allowance to the old age, pensioners under its care, and submitted 's ■ statement showing* the rates of allowances provided by kindred institutions. Subsequently, the Wellington Board decided to grant pocket allowances to all the, old people at the Ohiro Home, and he (Mr. Hogg) had had a talk with them, pointing out that of course these allowances 'would be paid on condition that the recipients would show, by their conduct, that the money would not be unwisely spent. He felt sure that in most cases this small allowance was not abused. With regard to the statements made that certain inmates had been seen proceeding in the direction of the Home in an intoxicated condition, he' could only, say that one did not altogether expect to find, in' an institution containing over'a hundred old people, the saving virtues of providence and stability in all of them. He did not believe for one moment that they ■were all teetotallers.. He would assure the board that those who were not did not relp on their pocket-money for their occasional indulgences. They met plenty of friends on their visits to town who were only too willing to treat them. 1 He I regretted to note the statements which had been, made by Mr. Smith (ohairman of the , board): on that -matter. . ■ The Chairman (Mr. John Smith):. They wero seen, however. Mr.-Hogg: Did you see. them? The Chairman: No—but people residing in that locality did. ' _ Mr. Hogg: I think it is a pity you didn't see them youlself. : Did Mr. Robertson see them ? . : Mr. Robertson: No. Mr. Hogg: Well, I've never seen anything of the kind myself. • . Mr. Robertson: But you always see them in the middle of the day, when you go up to have dinner with 'them. Mr. Hog": Ob, no, J'® often about the town at niglit. At this stage the chairman said that the whole question of pocket allowances might stand over until : the finance meeting nest week. The- matter then dropped.