HOME FOR NEGLECTED CHILDREN.

Auckland Star, Volume VI, Issue 1625, 30 April 1875, Page 3

HOME FOR NEGLECTED CHILDREN.

The annual meeting of the friends of this excellent institution was held last evening in the Young Men's Rooms, Wellesley-street. The attendance was not so large as might have been expected. Sir George Grey, X.C.8., occupied the chair, according to promise. Sir George, in introducing the hon secretary, remarked that no institution could be of more importance in a community than one which had for its main object the care and well-being of neglected and destitute children. He, however, had but recently come to Auckland, and had notyethad opportunities of making himself sufficiently acquainted with the Home, to give the meeting necessary information upon the subject. J&e then calleed upon the honorable secretary to read the annual report, from which it appears, that up to April Ist, 1574, the Home contained47boys, and 36girls; that 46 of tins number had been admitted during the past year ; that 13 had gone to service, 4 had died, and that 22 had been either adopted, sentto then ivalschool, ortakenaway by parents. The total number up to April 1875, was 90, being 54 boys and 36 girls. The total number received since the establishment of the Institute in 1870, was 20S, out of which number 37 have been placed in situations. By the treasurer's statement it appears that, during the past year £550 has been received from the Provincial Government as a grant to the Home, and £140 towards repairs to the building ;■ from the Relieving Officer, £76 13s 4d ; whilst the subscriptions and donations from the general public only amount to £206 16s 3d, being nearly £188 less than last year. £170 also has been collected from the parents of children committed to the Home. The report, a most interesting one, contains many items respecting the working of the Home, but unfortunately we are unable to transcribe it fully. It speaks in terms of gratitude of Mr Edson, who supplies the Home with medicine gratuitously, and of Dr. Kennedy, the honorary surgeon, for his untiring exertions during the recent sickly season ;. several ladies had also shown much practical interest in the bodily wants of the children in making and presenting articles of clothing. The report proceeds to say—" The visits of ministers for religious instruction of the children has been chiefly confined to the Rev. Mr Hassard, of St. Matthew's, the Rev. Walter McDonald, and a lay member of tlie Wesleyan Church. A large number of gifts have been made during the past year of the clothes, fruit, and other articles, and also two cows from the Good Templars, and of £9 from the Licensed Victuallers towards a kitchen range ; the names of Messrs. G. P. Pierce, P. A. Philips, J. B. Russell, F. L. Prime, H. Ellis, W. Rattray, A. Buckland, P. Mason, H. Isaacs, Mason Bros., and Mesdames Ridings, Rattray, Batger, Neale, H. Somervel, Coombes, and Colonel Haultain appear as donors of the above; also, Dr. Kenderdine and Mr Harris, for a quantity of toys; and Mr Herapath, for gratuitous advice as an architect; also, Captain Logan of the s.s. Hero, and Inspector Broham for his kind exertions in collecting the payment due from the parents, etc. The committee cannot close their report without referring to the loss the Home has sustained in the death of Mr William Rat tray, sen., who wasa staunch friend and worketf of the institution, and also to the departure for England of Mr; E. Granville, whose name was connected wich the institution from its very commencement. — Mr G. W. Owen, treasurer, read the balancesheet, which shewed receipts £1,204 13s 2d ; expenditure, £1,888 18s fid. Interesting speeches were successively delivered by Bishop Cowie, His Worship the Mayor, Capt. Daldy, Rev. JR. S. Hassard, and other gentlemen.— The election of officers and votes of thanks concluded the proceedings.