The Daily News. TUESDAY, APRIL 22, 1902. THE OLD PEOPLE'S HOME.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXIV, Issue 92, 22 April 1902, Page 2

The Daily News. TUESDAY, APRIL 22, 1902. THE OLD PEOPLE'S HOME.

The fire at the Old People's Home, lasweek, calls attention to the necessity of come changes being made to rende< the building more secure. A representative of the News, on Monday, visited the building and reports a very unsatisfactory state of affairs considering the enormous sum of money ex psnded. In the fitst place, th« custodian's quarters are altogether wrongly situated, being right away at the back instetd of at the front of the building. As things are now, anyone can enter and wander about the building, converse, and supply things to the inmates, and leave without the custodian having any knowledge ef th? visit. Instead of this the custodian's quarters should be so placed that no one can enter the building without passing through a visitors' room, so placed as to be at all times under the eye of the custodian. This should also apply to the inmatoa who now, after the custodian has returned to his quarters, appear to be able to codie and go as they pleaße. The absence of any system of fire alarm appears also to be quite inexcusable. Had the man Jordan not been able to shout pretty loudly the whole place would have been burned, as he was quite unable to move without, assistance. The drum or bracket upon which the hose is hung is altogether unsuitable for enabling the hose to bo got out quickly. The hose should be hupg on a revolving drum or reel, so that it can be run out quickly without getting doubled up. There should al?o be several more lengths of hose so thaiit can be got at several points and handled quickly by the inmates who are too feeble to go long distances or I handle long lengths of hose. We havii jno hesitation in saying that hod the late accident taken place on the women's side of the building half the inmates would have bf.en burned in their beds. Wo trust the Board wili take immediate action, as the matter is too serious to be put off. Owing to its position, also, a fire there would be ft serious menace to all the west end of the Borough.