OLD PEOPLE’S HOME.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXVII, Issue 1387, 17 April 1915, Page 3

OLD PEOPLE’S HOME.

UP-TO-DATE DISTRICT INSTITUTION. The Old People’s Home at Awapuni, which was opened officially on Thursday, is in all respects a splendid institution. It is constructed in brick with the inner walls of plaster, and the outside finished in striking manner in rough cast. Built in the pavilion style, with the administration quarters in the centre, it represents an imposing appearance. An advantage in this respect is that the dormitories, on either side of the central block, can be enlarged and extended to suit requirements. In the men’s section there are three wards, with eleven, seven and four beds respectively, and three single rooms. Two of the latter are separated from the main building for isolation purposes. In the women’s section there is one ward of seven beds and a single room. Every ward is complete in itself. The wards lead off from the main corridor, which is 222 feet long. Each ward has its own verandah, and the whole building is lit with electricity, generated on the premises, and is provided with water from an artesian bore. The matron’s quarters comprise bed and sitting rooms, and there are seven bedrooms tor the staff. The institution is comfortably furnished. The total cost of the building was furnishing cost electric lighting machinery ,£447. water supply (excepting what the contractor did in the main building) £163, and bedding and clothing ,£169. The institution is under the control of Miss A. Kilgour and at present is occupied by eight women (the full complement) and IS men (leaving vacancies for to others). Sir J. G. Wilson and Mr Hornblow are the representatives of the combined districts of the Manawatu County and Foxton borough on the Board which governs the institution.

Exclusive of the above Home, there are iS Old People’s Homes in New Zealand, and the total cost of maintaining them is The average cost per month is £35 as against ,£lO9 in the gene-ral-hospitals.