SOCIAL SERVICE.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 275, 20 November 1935, Page 5

SOCIAL SERVICE.

CO-ORDINATION OF EFFORTS. METHODIST ACTIVITIES. .An interesting record of the social service activities of the Methodist Church, was given at a largely attended and successful gathering held in the Auckland Town Hall Concert Chamber last night, when Kev. E. D. Patchett, chairman of the Auckland District Synod, now eitting in Auckland, presided. The Methodist Church has done excel* lent social eervke for many years past, the first orphanage being established in. Auckland 22 yeurs ago. For some time past it has been felt that more attention should be given to this important phase of church work, and conference recently decided to establish a Methodist Social Service Association for New Zealand, with four central district organisations, with the object of furthering the efforts of tha church in this direction and of co» ordinating the various social institutions. The inauguration of the Auckland District Association was fittingly celebrated at this, the chief public function in con. nection with the District Synod. After an explanation by the chairman of the reasons for the new order of things, Kev. A. Everil Orr, city missioncr, gave an interesting resume of the great scope of social work in which the church was actively engaged, embracing the children's homes and orphanages, nealtii camps and reet homes, old people's home, hospital and prison chaplaincy, benevolent work, social work among the Maoris and activities of the deaconesses in the city and country. The church now had three orphanages in Auckland and no nobler work was being done anywhere than in these institutions. No fewer than 700 children had passed through the Methodist orphanages of this country, nearly all of whom had become valuable citizens, many occupying prominent positions of trust and responsibility. One important phase of work was that whereby mothers and children were taken to health camps. Last year 40 children and 20 mothers had been given an enjoyable, health-giving "holiday at the seaside. A splendid site of seven acres and a quarter had been acquired at Campbell's Bay, where it was proposed to build a suitable health camp. Already, mainly through voluntary labour, a small building had been erected, fencing done, trees planted and a good water bore put down. A sum of about £600 was now in hand and when the amount available had grown to £1000 a start would be made with the main building. The whole scheme, which had teen approved by the Public Health Department, would cost some £3000, and donations towards this would be gratefully received. Mr. Orr stressed the fact that all the social work was strictly of an undenominational nature. He also stated that those in need had been assisted with material things during the past year to the value of £1030. Just on 4000 meaU had been given to men on Saturday evenings at the Central Mission at Airedale Street.

Sister Rita Snowden, of the Central Mission, epoke feelingly of the work of the New Zealand A. f hodist deaconesses, 16 of whom were constantly engaged, including five in the cities. It was a work that thrilled, though the deaconesses saw much that they were unable to epeak of. Sister Ivy Jones was the only trained church worker regularly ministering to the 200 Maoris living in Auckland, while the same deaconess had 60 Maori girls under her care—girls who looked to her as to their mother. Sister Eleanor Dob'bie was engaged in a wonderful work among th* Maoris in North Auckland, while Sister Nicholls was establishing Sunday schoois for Maoris in many parts and helping the Maoris in their spiritual and domestic lives. Sister Snowden emphasised the point that the old order of things was now changing. Deaconesses were now not a luxury, but a necessity. This was a time when trained, consecrated women could make a great contribution to the ministry of the church, especially among young people, with whom the churches were losing touch.

Rev. Geo. Laurenson, assistant superintendent of home missions, briefly referred to the hospital and prison chaplaincy, in which work Rev. A. Mitchell was ministering to hundreds of Methodists when laid aside by illness, brightening their lives and bringing comfort and courage to many who had lost heart.

During the evening a number of children from the Mount Albert orphanage, who had been trained by Mr. W. R- G. Emerson, sang a number of songs and choruses admirably, while a band o£ Maori girls from the Maori girk' hpme at Onehunga ("Kurahuna") delighted the audience with Maori action songs and poi dances. Madame Aileen Johns and Mr. Frank Sutherland contributed songs and a combined choir under the conductorship of Mr. Albert Bryant rendered a number of hymns from the new Methodist hymnal.