BARNADO HOME BOYS.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXIX, Issue 77, 30 March 1908, Page 9

BARNADO HOME BOYS.

DEPAETDEE FOR NEW (From Onr Special Correspondent.) LONDON, Feb. 21. Among the passengers leaving England for Australia and New Zealand by tie Orient liner Onirali to-day is the Her. W. J. Mayers (Senior Deputation Secretary, of Dr. Barnado's Homes). In 1891 Mr. Mayers visited Australia at ihe special request of Dr. Barnardo, tflio had himself received many invita•nons to go to the Antipodes, but was unable to leave Ids post in London. Ihere are many warm friends of the Homes in Australia and New Zealand ■vsio would like to see and hear the present Director (Mr. William Baker); but lie. also, is unable to undertake so long a journey. As a restilt of the visit in IS9I, £10.000 was added to the exchequer of the Homes, and it is hoped that this year's tour will be even more successful. Hie meetings wil begii in Western Australia about the end of March, and in South Australia about a month later, tcfc Mr. Mayers cannot say definitely "what places he will visit or give dates ■until he meets the Eev. W. E. Kice, Tviio preceded him to Australia by the .Astasias early in January to make arisigeinento for the tour. Hγ. Mayers takes with him a party of ten hoys, all of whom have been rescued and educated by the Home, and who will give evidence at the meetings of the benefits they have received, lie boys are all clever instrumentalities and will give at each meeting samples of tfeeir skill on handbells, cornets, mandolines, bagpipes, xylopenes, dulcimers, glockenspiels, anto-harps, . ocarinas, sleigh and fairy bells and bugles, and their repertoire, 'which runs into nearly 100 items, includes selections by Spohr, Stainer, G-ounod. Sullivan, Wagner, .Verdi, Elgar and Ambroise Thomas. Heir programme at each meeting will, TJs said, be one yard long.

In the course of an inteirrietr as to his mission, Hγ. Mayers said: "My chief purpose is to keep our numerous subscribers and friends in touch with tie progress of the work since Dr. Barnaido's death; but I shall also make enquiries in each of the States, and in Sew Zealand, as to the possibility of sending out some I children there. We tare splendid openings in Canada, and could place more children than we are able to send. We axe lecewiag Taiariy applications from Australia and Zealand from people who are willing to receive the children, ii we only -were abie to send them. We should not. ho-wever, care to let our young people ffo so far unless there were security that they would be looked after. It may be iotmd possible to establish, a private organisation which will be responsible for the children's welfare.

,E We shall open our %york at Perth, and 1 hope that the Governor may preside over ottr first meeting. Our programme wi]l follow the lines of the meetings I have been accustomed to address in England. The chief feature •vrifl be an account of the work, and this will be interspersed with nfusieal pieces by xrie boys. I expect to be abEent from England for a* full year, at least, and possibly longer." Mr. flayers, who has the liveliest recollection of the hospitable treatment he received in Australia during his visit some 18 years ago, will be accompanied ij Ms Trite and by jlr. Henr Aaron, ■tie nmsical instructor to the Homes, who -will act as conductor and accompanist to the boys.

Mr. Mayers is "talcing with him a forteidaMe pile of letters of introduction to all the Governors and Premiers, and ai? oto the leading ministers of the various ehnrches, from whom he will, one is receive the same cordial symP% and hearty co-operation as he'did on hs previous 'visit. Among these letters is one of peculiar interest, commending the deputation and us object "to the good-will and sympathy of cm- kinsmen and fellow Chris£ans beyond the seas." It is signed o?_tteirteen bishops, the Duke of ArJp£ the Marquis o f Ijnlithgow, Lord Roberts, Marie Corelli. Rider Haggard, air John Gcrst, Sir Wm Treloar, Sir John Cockburn. ex-Lord Mayors of £*eds and 1 Bristol, Sir John Kirk, the oead of the Ragged School Union, the J*ev. nomas Spurgeon, and other wellknemrn ministers of every denomination, newspaper editors, half a scare 01 Society's greatest dames, and many prominent representatives of science and commerce.