CHILDREN'S HOME.

Auckland Star, Volume LXII, Issue 151, 29 June 1931, Page 10

CHILDREN'S HOME.

WORK AT MANUREWA. YEAR OF EXCELLENT RESULTS. Another year of progress is recorded in the 38th annual report of the board of management of the Baptist Children's Home at Manurewa. The board reports that during the year the children bereft of mothers and fathers had been received into the home, and the task eet the board was cheerfully undertaken in the hope that the children might be turned out as good and respected citizens. At the beginning of the year there were 65 inmates of the institution —32 boys and 33 girls, while during the year there had been 11 further admissions. Seven boys and six girls had been discharged, leaving 63 inmates on April 30 last. Two of the girls withdrawn were placed in temporary positions, and others went to surviving parents or guardians. The total number admitted to the home since its inception wae 557. Last year the expenditure exceeded the ordinary revenue by £587, but during the year under review the total expenditure was reduced by £347. The figures spoke of tne economical administration of the matron, the staff, the treasurer and the board. The saving was partly due to the reduced cost of living, and partly to the generosity oi the many friende of the home. The average cost to the board per child per week was 16/5V2, compared with 18/9 in theprevious year. In order to balance the budget the sum of £150 had been transferred from the legacies reserve fund, and the board was thus able to close the year with a credit balance of £21 &/. The report of the ladies' committee stated that 23 meetings had been held during the year. There had been anxiety and sorrow at the conduct of some of the children, but they had been compensated by the good' reports that had been given of others. The committee rejoiced at the fact that so many who had left the home were reflecting credit on it. The matron, Miss C. I. Marks, said she marvelled at the generous provision made for the family of the home, in view of the prevalent poverty and distress. The year had been singularly free from anxiety in regard to the health of the children. The ehaplin, the Rev. T. H. Eecersall, reported that the outstanding feature ol the board's institution was its home atmosphere. The members of the staff and children seemed to live in family relationship, and the management wae capable and efficient, both in the domestic and spiritual aspects of the life of the children.