CONVALESCENT HOME

Wairarapa Times-Age, 1 July 1938, Page 4

CONVALESCENT HOME

TREATMENT OF WOMEN AND CHILDREN.

SCHEME OF NORTH ISLAND SCOPE.

A scheme for the setting up of a convalescent home at Rotorua for the benefit of indigent women and children (up to 6 years) requiring non-med-ical post-operation and convalescent treatment was outlined at a public meeting held’ in Masterton last night by Mr J. R. Overton, organiser. The Mayor, Mr T. Jordan, who presided, said the proposed home was a very necessary institution. Mr Overton, who apologised for the absence of Lady Statham, patron of the provisional board, said the convalescent home buildings were estimated to cost about £lO,OOO and would provide accommodation for up to fifty patients. It was intended to make the home self-supporting by carrying out farming operations in conjunction with the home and all vegetables, meat and milk would be supplied by the farm. An option had been secured over a farm property near Rotorua and the Government . had promised half the cost of bringing it into production. It was proposed that the home should serve the whole of the North Island. The admission of convalescents would be carried out on consideration by the board of applications made by qualified medical pratcitioners on behalf of their patients. It was pointed out that the hospitals were overcrowded and as a result many patients had to leave before they were really ready. The proposed home would meet these cases and also those of women who were in danger of a breakdown. The girls employed at the home would be trained in their duties and on attaining competence would be awarded certificates. It was also proposed to send some of the trained attendants to the homes while the mothers were convalescing. Mr Overton said the board had desired to raise a sum of at least £30,000 by public subscription throughout the North Island. Certain monies had already been collected and further donations promised. Representatives of all churches and members of the medical profession were taking a very active part in the campaign and had promised their support in a practical way. There were a large number of deserving cases of women and children in straitened circumstances who needed a home of this kind and the board considered it was the duty of all people to help in the cause. The project would not overlap existing organisations. The Government had been approached for a £1 for £1 subsidy up to £15,000. It was estimated that the home, complete with 1,600 acres of land would cost £35,650. Mrs T. R. Barrer, who proposed a vote of thanks to Mi- Overton, said that not enough attention was paid to the prevention of illness and too much : to the cure. She moved that the women present should interest themselves : practically in the cause and the motion was carried unanimously.