DR. BARNARDO'S HOMES.

Bush Advocate, Volume XXI, Issue 280, 31 May 1909, Page 4

DR. BARNARDO'S HOMES.

DEPUTATION TO THE DOMINION It : is not every institution in the Old ■ Country, that' could justify the v sending of a deputation.' to the- new lands under the Southern Cross, but Dr Barnardo's name is a household word, and his work of saving and caring for hungry and homeless boys and girls is world known, and esteemed by all well wishers to the Empire. During his lifetime the doctor rescued and trained many thousands of destitute children,*, and at his death 8000 .were in the various homes he foundI ed, and' this number is still maintained. ';■ To tell this wonderful story of what the homes have done, and to -secure from Australasian friends a practical tribute to the memory" of the great philanthropist, the llev. W. J. Mayers has been deputed by the council to make a tour of the ■ Commonwealth, and the' Dominion. - * He is now in New Zealand, and will be visiting Dannevirke on Friday, June 4th, where a musical meeting will be held in the Drill Hall at. B. o'clock, at which his Worship the Mayor has promised to preside*, .c. . V Mr Mayers is accompanied by ten trained musical boys "jfrbm the homes, who add greatly to-th^' attractiveness of the; meeting by their clever manipulation of a variety of instruments, .such as handbells, .bagpipes, -cornet, sleigli bells, ocarinas, xylophones, mandolines, etc. AH. these lads were received into the homes -in the usual way, but in addition to the 'ordinary training they have^ J received, special instruction in music /from" :Mr .^. Aaron, -their . instructor" &nd accoM- : panist, who is also one of the party. Their repertoire is a very extensive. One, including over. -one, h^imflred ,items on the various instruments. Mr •-.' Mayers and ■ his party, have already visited" Western Australia, South ' Australia, Victoria, and Tasmania, ' and for the past three months have been in the ; dominion. Altogether nearly £10,000 has been contributed by collections, admission to meetings, and personal gifts. Of this sum. the South Island has contributed more than £-2000. In ,1892 Mr Mayers conducted a) similar mission. at theraquest of Dr Barnardo, -._ when the homes benefited to ~~ihe .^extent of £10,000. It is hop^ ; on this occa-sion-that a much larger sum may be raised, for- the needs of the Avorkers are greater than ever. '