CONVALESCENT HOME FOR SOLDIERS.

Taranaki Daily News, 17 April 1919, Page 3

CONVALESCENT HOME FOR SOLDIERS.

DISCUSSED BY WAR RELIEF ASSOCIATION. In connection with the proposed establishment of a convalescent home a letter was read at yesterday's meeting of the Tarnnaki War Relief Association from Mrs. Burgess (Mayoress of New Plymouth) to the effect that if the association provided £'2750 for the purchasing and furnishing of Chetwode House in New Plymouth she would undertake to provide funds for its management and upkeep.

The committee (the chairman, Messrs Percival, Crump, and Bcllringer) submitted a report, and in moving its adoption the chairman said it would not be advisable to purchase a property, as, in the event of the experiment not proving a success, there would -probably be a loss in the ultimate sale of the property, Mr. Mills, in seconding, considered it would be unwise to tie up so much of the funds.

Tr. reply to Mr. Spralt, the chairman stated that he understood the home was not only intended as an* establishment where convalescent soldiers could be attended to, but also as a hostel for returned soldiers- The committed, however, had come to the conclusion that it would be impossible to establish a home suitable for botli, as one would not fit in with the other. ■Mr. Bellringer. said the idea was to establish a home in Taranaki at which men discharged from hospital and not yet fitted to go back to work could be catered for. 11 would be a temporary home, and the idea would be to find out if there was need for such a home. He knew there were a number of men about for whom such a home would cater.

Mr. Crump said there was very little data to go on. He. thought, there were many men who would prefer to stay in their homes or with friends, provided a little additional assistance for the purchase of comforts was given rather than go to such a home. He considered there were quite a number of private homes where convalescent cases could be taken. Mr. G. A. Lareom.be said if it could be shown there was need for such a home he would certainly approve of the establishment, but he considered if it were established it should be in some central position, not at New Plymouth, which was at the end of the district. Men who ware able to travel to New Plymouth could travel to Rotorua or one of the other homes, which were better equipped than they could hope; to equip the one proposed. After further discussion the following recommendation of the committee was adopted: "That after considering Mrs. Burgess' proposal, and while appreciating her very generous offer to undertake its upkeep and control, this committee cannot recommend the association to adopt it. but recommend that if the need for a hostel is proved, and if a suitable building can be secured on lease, the association undertake to establish a convalescent home for returned soldiers 1 '