THE OLD MEN'S HOME, ASHBURTON.

Globe, Volume XX, Issue 1412, 24 August 1878, Page 3

THE OLD MEN'S HOME, ASHBURTON.

The Mayor of Sydenham, accompanied by Mr J E. March, as representing the Board for Charitable Aid, yesterday paid an official visit of inspection to the Immigration Barracks at Ashburton, which have been renovated and refurnished for the reception of the late inmates of the Selwyn Home. The arrangements have been carried out under the superintendence of Mr March, and are excellent in every respect. The new quarters, situated ju-t outside the town, consist of a centre and two wings. The former is of ample size, and will be used as the day or sitting room, while th« wings, right and left, are corridors divided into dormitoms, each 12ft.long by 7ft. wide. Each corridor contains ten bedrooms, five on either side, and in each room are two beds. Wooden sl<efcchers are used, nearly all of them having been made since it was detsrmined to use the Ashburton barracks fonts present purposes. All the bedding, sheeU blankets, counterpanes, &c, are new and ot good quality, and Mr March has made arrangements for the periodical washing of the bedding, &c, which had been grossly neglected »t the Selwyn institution. The building has heen whitewashed throughout, and is as clean and comfortable as it is possible to make it. A code of rules has been drawn up, by which thß state of cleanliness is to be maintained. There is a good kitchen furnished with cooking ■apparatus, and it is intended to continue the practice of allowing the old men to form themselves into messes, and arrange for their own cooking under the control of the officer in charge of the barracks, who has had considerable experience in the immigration department. The stores are all of very good quality, the dietory scale being as heretofore. '.Lhe ground «t> which tfce building stands is fenced in, am* sufficiently large for all purposca of exercise and recreation. The outlook in all directions is much more cheerful than was the case at -Selwyn- Altogether the change is greatly for the better, and will answer very well until steps are taken for the establishment of a permanent benevolent asylum for the aged and infirm of both sexes. Messrs Booth and March brought down with them by the first tram about h»lf of the inmates of the Selwyn Home, and the remainder came down later in the afternoon. About a dozen new pensioners will be likewise drafted from the convalescents at the Hospital and the Armagh street depot. Another advantage has been secured by the change of locality through the kindness of the .fcev. Mr Paige. That gentleman met the representative* of the Board on their arrival at the barracks, and in the kindest manner promised to hold a service every Sunday morning at nine o'clock, and also an evening one once during the week. The inmates on arrival were prompt to ex•pres* their gratification at the pronvsed ainehoration of their circumstances, and evidently appreciated the difference between their old and new quarters. Of course, especially during i&e winter months, their time must hang heavily on their ijands, as many arc too infirm and feeble to do even the lightest description ot work. For these reading is an important resource, ike majority of them being educated to that extent. The daily newspapers are suppl ed to the Home and a few well thumbed .woks constitute its modest library. To increase this, and at the same time contribute to the recreation of the inmates, Mr J. E. March will thankfully receive donations of old books, periodicals, magazines, &c, from those who have them to After foing through the building and minutely examining everything, the Mayor of Sydenham, on behalf of tbe Board, expressed himself perfectly satisfied wiih what has been done to provide a temporary home for the aged and destitute, fimtjl an institution is established equal to the <waßts and creditable to the province ot Canterbury,