COSTLEY HOME ENQUIRY.

Gisborne Times, Volume XII, Issue 1073, 15 December 1903, Page 2

COSTLEY HOME ENQUIRY.

THE REPORT,

(Per Press Association.) Auckland, last night. The report of the Costley Home Boyal Commissioner was presented to the Premier to day. It states that the Commissioner, on arrival at Auckland, paid a surprise visit to the Homo, and found it exceedingly dirty. The condition of the beds and bedding was filthy and uncared for. The general aspect of the dormitories was desolate and comfortless. The clothes of the inmates wore generally dirty. Some of the inmates wore infected with vermin. Dinner was badly sorved, and of poor quality. Many complained of insufficiency of food. The drainage was defective and insanitary, the staff limited and incompetent. He found five of inmates mentally deranged, and one inmate consumptive, who had since died. Excluding the present staff, there was abundant evi denco in the institution of drunkenness, extending over many years, both as regards some of the members of the staff and the inmates. The Commissioner, while of the opinion that the Hospital Board were justified in dispensing with John and Eliza Moss, ex-master and matron, is of opinion that Moss fbr many years carried on his duties under great difficulties. It was absolutely impossible to keep the Home clean with the staff at his disposal. The Board was more responsible than Moss for the dirty and comfortless condition of the Home. The Commissioner recommends an increased staff, including several trained nurses, new bedsteads and bedding, better food, better cooking, improved sanitation. The Commissioner also recommended the complete organisation of the system of control and management.