THE UNMARRIED MOTHER.

Auckland Star, Volume LVII, Issue 205, 30 August 1926, Page 14

THE UNMARRIED MOTHER.

(To the Editor.) Sir, —The Rev. Lionel Fletcher is reported to have publicly claimed that there is no institution in Auckland which gives adequate attention to the care of the unmarried mother; also that there are institutions in England which attend to such cases, but that he could find no similar asylum in Auckland. With a view to obviate any misunderstanding on this important question, I beg to state that the institution known as S. Mary's Homes, in Otahuhu, has, for the past 45 years, ministered to the unmarried mother. Several hundreds of such young women have passed through the maternity home, and have been brought under good influences in the training home, while their infants have been cared for in the children's home. In the great majority of cases the women inmates have since become reputable members of the community. There is no question of denomination as regards those who apply for shelter, and, to the best of my knowledege and belief, no applicant has been denied admission. Anyone sincerely desirous of seeing the institution will receive a welcome, and can judge for himself as to the work done. A copy of the report of the homes will be sent on application.—l am, etc.,

P. S. SMALLFIELD, Chairman.