LYTTELTON ORPHANAGE.

Globe, Volume VIII, Issue 884, 25 April 1877, Page 3

LYTTELTON ORPHANAGE.

Grout improvements arc still being made at j this institution, which is now one of the most perfect, of its kind, in the colony. Anew bath-room and lavatory, 32ft long by loft broad, has been erected at the northern end of the buildings. Round tins room are ranged a double series of large pigeon holes, in the lower of which is a washing basin, the upper serving as a place of deposit for the clothes of the child washing. Twenty-five basins are at present used, but there is room for forty. In the centre of the room is a bath, 18ft long, 12ft broad, and 3ft 6in deep ; the descent into the bath is by good broad stops, and when full it will hold 1200 gallons. Twenty-live or thirty children can splash about at once in this basin. Hot and cold water can be used as required, a copper, capable of boiling 100 gallons at, once, being placed on the outside of the building, under cover, and connected by piping with the bath. The gully, which Was formerly such a nuisance, h:is been culvcrtcd, and is now being gradually filled up by the boys. On the other sido of this gully nearer Lytteltou, the new infirmary has been erect id, so that in case of fever or any infectious disease breaking out the patients can lie kept apart from the other children. It is a. picturesque looking little building, Mr (L'iiuu being tin' architect, with ornamental gables, slate roof, and spacious verandah. It contains three wards, a nurse's room, and a scullery, and the appliances seem of the most suitable and convenient kind. The rooms are plastered with cement; and all fitted with stoves, and. rvcry care has been taken to ensure good ventilation. A new concrete tank has beenj sunk at the end of the

south wing, and this gives an additional supply of 17,000 gallons of water. Messrs Hollis and Williams were the contractors for the lavatory and tank, and Messrs Sutton and Wcastcll for the infirmary, and both deserve credit for the way in which the work has been done. A new fence has been put up round (lie Iron), parade, and the bank between it and (he outside fence dug and planted. This is a great improvement, but one is sorry to mi signs of the parade and fences sinking. A stone wall her /ever, a few feet in height, built up outside the outer quick fence, would stop this. Experiments havo been made in the Asylum with a gas stove, and certainly a few exemplifications shown us of the expedition and cleanliness to be attained by cooking in this manner qiutc surprised us. In an institution of this sort cooking by gas, lessening as it does the risk of fire, and doing away with the necessity for other fuel, would be a great, blessing if equally economical, as we were assured it was. The superintendent and matron are to be congratulated on the order and beautiful cleanliness throughout the institution.