CORRESPONDENCE,

Hokitika Guardian, 17 January 1920, Page 1

CORRESPONDENCE,

"UMARA OLD PEOPLES’ HOME

(To the Editor.)

Sir, —With your kind permission I must again—even at the risk of once more offending that august body, the Westland Hospital and Charitable Aid Hoard—call public attention to the treatment of the old pioneers of Westland in the Kmnara Old People’s Home. The last time I referred to tho “Home,” at my Hokitika meeting, I raised quite a stir in the next Board meeting, (I was glad to see there was a quorum present). My remarks, although I thought them reasonable enough, were alluded to as ‘‘malignant reflection,” “villification,” “not worth replying to,” “unjustified attack,” etc. etc. I daresay my remarks hurt all the more because they were true. Even Kumara had to bo threatened with the removal of the “Homo” from there, if it is to he made tho source of vilification, etc.

Well, Mr Editor I have again visited the Kumara Old Peoples’ Home, and I think there is no improvement in the conditions since I spoke of them at Hoktka. And, so far as I can see, there is not going to he any improvement. The fact remains that the Kumara Home does not compare favourably with any other Old Peoples’ Home ini the Dominion. Take the Greymouth Home ! There the old people get all their clothes supplied to them free, and they are allowed 17s Cd per month pocket money, which for a Pioneer I should say is not too much. What are wc afraid of? Seventeen and sixpence per month ! Perhaps the old chaps will spend it on notions living; or treat ones one another to champagne suppers. It certainly seems a huge sum for us to give away every month, considering our totalisator investments, which this year on the Coast must amount to close ->n £IOO,OOO. Along with still having to supply thenown clothes out of their paltry 15s per month the inmates of the Kumara “Home” —who arc really our wards—do not get proper ufedical attention. I am not blaming the present doctor in any way. His district is altogether too large for him to give much of his tune to Kumara. The very least that wo can do is to see that a medical manpart of whose duty would he to look after the “Home”—shall be stationed

at Kumar a. I still hold that it is a scandal that these old people may not get medical attention in their dying moments, an that they have to purchase then clothes, tobacco and everything • they might need outside of their food, out of 15s per month. Now, members rif the Board, will you do to nr best to at least bring the Kumara “Home” up to the GreymorOh standard: Your endeavours in this d rection will certainly receive had in „ of all." Personally I will not let the matter rest until there is a great change for the better. JAS- O’BBIBN.