A newspaper correspsondent reported on a vist to the New Town Depot in 1884. This is where Elizabeth may have been living at that time.
"The females branch of the depot is in rear of that just described, several chains away. A gravelled drive takes to the door of the building, a two storey brick one of large size, with yard beyond accessible from the verandahs which open to the various downstair rooms.
The garden in the immediate front is landscaped, and has dwarf rose borders, but beyond a bed a yard or two wide following the side of drive and walks devoted to flowers, ornamental shrubs, and trees, the whole is in crop with potatoes, carrots, parsnips, cabbages, cauliflowers, onions, etc., and is well tilled and productive. The outlook from front and flanks of the building is much the same as that from the men's quarters.
This part was built by the colony. Near as it is to the City of Hobart, and within less than quarter of a mile of New Town, one of its earliest environs, across the creek flowing past the N.W. side of the garden,the bush (save that the deadwood is mostly picked up) is as it was when Lieut. Bowen and party landed at or near Risdon 81 years ago.
Being a more modern structure than the old orphan asylum, the wards and general setting out have a newer look. The dining-hall is a large one, furnished with tables and seats of Huon pine, and in every part and detail is clean and wholesome.
Mrs. Hurst, the matron, was not in, therefore a little daughter of 12 or 13 years took me round. Dormitory No. 1 has about 34 beds, all of comfortable cleanly appearance, and, except by one or two old ladies in charge, was unoccupied. These were at the further end of the room, and, unconscious of a stranger's presence, one, with a rich musical voice, was singing some simple ditty. What a singer she must have been 60 yearsago.
Bathrooms open from the general dormitories, which, in the main, are all similar. In No. 2 an ancient hen convention was in conclave, and enjoying a post-prandial cackle. One venerable dame drew narcotic comfort from a mutilated clay, which she palmed on seeing us with the skill and address of a prestidigitateur, her old-time phiz screwing up an expression of innocent unconcern the while.
The hospital wards No. 5 (Roman Catholic) and 6 (Protestant), contain respectively, including small separate wards to each, 10 and 18 patients, many of whom are incapable of rising and helping themselves. Several were reading in No. 18, a mode of passing time agreeably, I was informed, they are extremely fond of, and which is conduced to materially by the ladies of the Flower Mission. Some were sewing, one a well spoken old lady drawing near her eightieth birthday, having a natty work box full of fancy knicknackery, treasures of the needlewoman's art she was carefully folding up. By appearance and speech many of the patients in this ward have been in respectable positions. One reader numbers 88 years. The library is a mere book-case, so I dare say the Flower Mission would be elad of assistance in the way of large type Illistrateds, such as the British Workman, Band of Hope, Cottage and Artisan, etc., and others of a secular character. The departments are, as in the institution for males, worked by the more able bodied inmates, and all kitchens, laundries, etc., are in proper order. The more respectable of these recipients of State bounty are readily distinguishable by general expression, neatness of head-dress, and some minor adornment. There are of course a number whose infelix histories are better undisturbed, who, could the Salvation Army acquire them, and persuade to testify, would fill the measure of the gaping crowds who attend to drink in the morbid.
His Excellency the Governor arrived as I was about leaving, and kindly enquired how "Through Tasmania" progressed. He is a favourite, particularly about Christmas, as he dispenses largess in the shape of twist and negrohead among the smokers, and has a good word for the old folk.
With reference to a verandah round the second storey of the females' quarters, the idea is not original, as the custodians have suggested its advisability more than once in the interests of the crippled to whom the stairs are a difficulty.
The central figure seen from the road, the parish church, is being newly roofed with tiles. The interior has suffered some damage, owing to the late rains which had freo course in, the shingles being lifted off.
The Revs. John Gray, (Anglican) and P. R. Hannebry (Roman Catholic) chaplains, are spoken of with esteem and gratitude for material, as well as spiritual souvenirs, of the interest they take in their charges at the depot. I congratulate the colonists on their head
institution for the care of an Imperial legacy of cast-off humanity, as different from the unions so graphically pourtrayed by the author of Ginx's Baby as the free bush of Tasmania is from the slums of London, and wish the old people and their careful guardians a merry Christmas and happy New Year."
"THE INVALID DEPOT, NEW TOWN." The Mercury (Hobart, Tas. : 1860 - 1954) 27 December 1884: 3. Web. 13 Jun 2016
.
THE INVALID DEPOT, NEW
TOWN.
[BY OUR SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT.]
THE INVALID DEPOT, NEW TOWN, is the
largest of the colony's charitable institutions
- its extensive buildings and exercise
yards covering several of the 10 acres;
enclosed by its boundary hedge and frontage.
The rest is laid out in vegetable and flower
beds, nicely bordered, and intersected by a
well-kept main avenue and walks lined with
English trees at regular intervals.
Queens Orphan Asylum New Town, 1863, courtesy of Tasmanian Images: Tasmanian Archive and Heritage Office
