HOME FOR INCURABLES

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 199, 17 May 1919, Page 10

HOME FOR INCURABLES

ST. JOSEPH'S TO BE REBUILT

HELP WANTED

(By A. W. L.)

Somo twenty years ago there was 110 siicli thing in existence as a Home for Incurables in New Zealand, though tho need for 0110 existed as urgently as it does to-day. Tho idea of establishing a comfortable home lor persons incurably ail'ccted and without the means of keeping themselves in a way befitting their condition occurred to that best of women, the Hev. Mother Mary Joseph Aubert, whoso good works have made her nanib revered throughout tiio Dominion. Not without considerable striving tho Kev. Mother secured an old residential property in Bucklo Street, adjoining St. Joseph's Church, and from that day to this nil appealing work of charity has gone quietly along. .In course of time the need was such 'that a further extension of -the premises was necessary, and the result was the acquisition of the two adjoining cottages, which are known as the O'JHeara Wing. Subsequently tho Her. Mother secured still another property below (and adjoining) the O'Meara Wing in Bucklo Street, anil there a creclio was established for the relief of hard-working mothers (another institution very admirably managed by the, good Sisters of Compassion). Not content with this tho Bev. Mother also established the Homo of Compassion at Island Bay (lor 1 incurable and derelict children).

The position at present is that St. I Joseph's Homo for Incurables in Buckle Street is in such a state dilapidation—it is over 40 years of age—that it must be replaced before it becomes untenantable. "It is so ba<l," according to one Sister, "that the plumbers will not trust themselves on the roof—it is in such a bad condition." The Sisters have considered the matter for. some time past? and have tie Rev. Mother's consent to endeavour to raise sufficient money to erect a suitable homo ou the Buckle Street site, wliicli presents a frontage of about 130 ft. to that thoroughfare. The present home lias 35 inmates—its capacity—and there' are always half a dozen or so awaiting admission. AVliat the Sisters would like to do would be"to provide accommodation for about a hundred patients, as thoy are convinced that as the result of tho war there will be a good number of helpless incurables who will need the tenderest care for the rest of their days—and who deserve it. It is' to the credit of tho Sisters that they have thought of this contingency, and are seeking to provide for it. The friends of the Order —who csist throughout New Zealandare to bo asked to contribute to this deserving work, and to that end an organising committee, is to be formed in the near future. It should be mentioned that the patients of St. Joseph's Home coi&e from all parts of New Zealand,' and tho appeal for funds for the pew building will bo a national one. It. is anticipated that the cost of the new home— at ruling prices—will'be anvthing from ,£15,000 to 420,000. .