OHIRO HOME

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 209, 29 May 1920, Page 3

OHIRO HOME

INQUIRY INTO ADMINISTRATION

FINDINGS OP SPECIAL COMMITTEE

The report of tho Special Committee set up to inquire into tho whole question of the administration, site, and general suitability of the Ohiro Home was presented at tho meeting ! of tho Wellington Hospital ami Charitable Aid Board held on Thursday.

The committee stated that it considered the situation of the homo satisfactory from most points of view. Testimony .ts to'the salubrity of tho home, it said, was afforded by the general health of the inmates, which was excellent. As. to the inUtriial structure of the home, the committee had carefully considered the argument for and against tho alternative systems of wards and email rooms or cubicles for dormitory purposes. It found that the present dormitories were conveniently varied in size, and it was of opinion that the wnrjl system was decidedly the best for the purposes which the home was called, upon to serve. In regard to the objection that tho internal structure of the home involved the continual climbing of 6tair.i by infirm inmates, the committee found that on the female side all such in firm inmates occupied a ward on tho same lovol us the day sitting-room, while the bathroom and sanitary offices wero on tlie same leved, so that such inmates never use slairs at all. Further special provision had bcciti wade to ena'ble infirm inmates to reach the gardens and grounds easily by means of graded paths from the female quarters over which they can walk or easny be wheeled. ... . Tho committee made a similar report regarding tho men's quarters, but suggested that the day accommodation ior •the men might bo.increased en tho lines decided on some time ago by the Charitable Aid Committee, namely, by the addition of a second room, where reading and'writing could be dono without nucr'fhe maximum accommodation in the homo was for 145 inmates, the present number being 91- The committee was of tho opinion that the present accommodation would be sufficient for some considerable time to come. Generally _ shaking, while it might be at once acimittcd that tho present buildings were not ldral and that.many improvements, e.g., the substitution of brick for .timber, and

better planning, might be introduced " | new 'ones wero being erected, the committee was of opinion that the best was being made of them, -and that they by no Swans exhibited sucli impenections ns would justify their abandonment. ' . Dietary and Clothing. Tho committee, after going carefully into the matter of the dietary of the home, was satisfied that the food supplied to.'the inmates was amply sufficient 111 quantity, and that the inmates were not allowanced; that the quality of the food supplied was perfectly satisfactory; that every possible endeavour was made to secure competent ccoks, and that the food was, as a matter of fact, well dressed and served. From a strictly dietetic point of view the committee found that the bill-of-fare was sufficiently varied and beyond all doubt adequate in nourishment, the expert evijlcnco showing the latter to bo about double the scientiuc .standard. The committee thought, how. ever, that the addition of a rather moro liberal supply of such articles as stewing fruits, jam, and cake, while not strictly necessary, might mako the dietaw more attractive. , 'Reporting on the issue of clothing, the committee: stated that the authorised system was properly administered, and tliat the inmates of the home were well Bupplied with suitable clothing. _ ■ The committee found that-the inmates of' the home received adequate medical

attention. . . •On the question of leave of absence, • etc., the committee reported that ! it was of opinion that the proscribed arrangeineht was adequate, and that. it was administered' with' judgment, and the discretionary power exercised with indulgence rather- than otherwise. ! Provision of "Extras." The committee found that with the consent of the Charitable Aid Committoo extra tobacco was frequently allowed for extra helpfulness, and was of opinion both rule and administration were satisfactory.' It thought, however, that tho tobacco being an "extra to the male inmates an equivalent extra should bo allowed to the female inmates ini tlio form of tea, 6Ugar, and milk for their afternoon' tea. , „ , . Regarding the supply of pocket money it was provided that the superintendent might issue up to Gs. per month for industry and good conduct. The committee found that with the consent ot the Charitable Aid Committee the maximum 6tated was occasionally extended, to lfls. in special cases, and that tho average amount of the gratuities was ss. Bd. Ill* committee thought that the prescribed rule might be brought into general accord' with the practice of making the standard limits of the gpnts for industry and, or, good'.conduct 3s. Gd. for the minimum and 10s. for tho maximum, and that in the administration the assessments between these limits might be on a proportionately more liberal basis. The committee was satisfied that no inmate who claimed to be unable to no any work which he might b&. csked to

do was forced to do> it, and that no inmate was over "ordered" to do anything. It was also satisfied that there was no harshness in dealing with breaches of discipline. Board Doing Its Best. Mr. F. Castle, chairman of the 'board, in moving the adoption of the report, stated that, generally speaking, the report supported the board, which ha<l been doing its best with the means at its disposal to provide proper maintenance and comforts for the t old people who came under the Charitable , Aid Board's care. The situation of tho home was satisfactory, although it was admitted that it was windy and the structure was not perfcct.' Tho accommodation, with the exception of a sitting-room ior males, was adequate. It had to bo realised that the beard was dealing with a difficult class of person. The board should not adopt a policy of attracting peoplo to the home, which wns meant only for those persons who had no horo?s of their own, and who received no supI} °Messrs. J. Hutchison and J. Glover urged that, while the food was good and plentiful, there should be greater variety. *

Mr " J Glover moved that the clause relating to the dietary be referred back to the committee for a further report. TJpon Mr. G. J. Petherick, chairman of the Clmritablo Aid Committee, giv-

ing an assurance that recomi'iiimixtion3 regarding fi greater variety of would be ooDsidcrcd in a very favourable manner, Mr. Glover withdrew his motion. • ■ The chairman eaid it had been, alleged that tho-board had not disposed of the property of a cortain inmate to tho best advantage. Tho report, however, showed that the allegation was incorrect. In regard to this man, the report also stated that it was noteworthy that- while before his admission to Oluro Home he was frequently ill and reciuiriiig a doctor, during the four years lie been there ho had never had (in hours illness, nor 6o much as a cold, and hod never missed a meal. The report was adopted.