ORPHAN ASYLUM.

Press, Volume X, Issue 1233, 19 October 1866, Page 2

ORPHAN ASYLUM.

i The annual meeting of the subscribers to the Orphan Asylum was held yesterday afternoon at the building, tbe Bishop of Christchurch in the chair. The Secretary (Mr Stanley) read the following report :■— " The Managing Committee, on yielding up their trust, beg leave to present to the subscribers a report of their proceedings during 'he past year, the state of the institution, and its financial position. " Your Committee, in the first place, desire to convey taeir thanks to the Ladies' Committee. The comfort which the children enj >y, and the high state of efficiency to which the institution has been brought, ia mainly owing to their unremitting attention.

" During the past year no change has taken place in the interior arrangements of the Asylum, Mrs Hillier still continuing to fill the post of matron to the full satisfaction of your Committee. Several improvements have been made in and about the Asylum, amongst these your Committee would mention especially the building of a play-shed and store-room, and the fitting of the school-room with a cupboard, and lockers for the use of the children, aud the lining of the bath-room to the height of four feet with wood.

" The average number of childring maintained in the Asylum, during the past year, has been thirty-six, at an average cost for eac:i child of 11a y±d per week, being a reduction of lOd on the average cost of

1865-6. Tho largest mimhcr of children at any one time during the year hm been thirty-nine. The number at present in the Asylum is thirty-eight, in the proportions of twenty girls and eighteen boys. Tweptyseven are supported by the Provincial Government, and eleven by their relatives or private benefactors ; in all cases 10s per week being paid for each"child. " Your Committco bog to congratulate you on the healthy state of the inmates. The thanks of the friends of this institution are especially due to Dr Coward for his unremitting attention and kind advice, to whioh, under the blessing of Almighty God, is to be attri buted the fact that, during the past twelvemonths, only one case of sickness has occurred, and that of brief duration. "The children during tho past twelve months have been under the instruction of Mr Stanley as heretofore, and have been twice examined: In January by his Lordship the Bishop, assisted by some members of the Managing Committee, and at midwinter by the Dean of Christchurch, assisted by Mrs Hawkes and Mrs Coward. An extract from the Dean's report is annexed, showing that the children are making satisfactory progress 1 "The accounts of the past year are lying on the table and open to the inspection of subscribers, by which it may be seen that the present liabilities of the Institution on the usual quarterly bills, to meet which there is in hand about £190, and subscriptions now due which, if paid, will bo sufficient to cover all demands. " Your Committee hope that the friends of the Institution will continue their oiertions in maintaining it in its present satisfactory condition and extending more largely the benefits of it. " Your Committee have only to acknowledge with thankfulness the many donations which have been received during the past year. "The following are the names of the various ladies and gentlemen wlio have frequently supplied the Institution with fruit and vegetables :—Mrs Hawkes, Mrs Turner, Mrs Brown, Mrs Coward, Miss Bowen, Mrs Withnail, Mrs Crawford, Mrs Jollie, Mrs Harrington, Mrs Mathias, Mrs Gould, Mrs Hay, Mrs Parsons, Mrs Lane and Mrs Wilmer ; Mr Stringer, Mr J. Johnson, Mr Richards, Mr Whincop, Mr Gordon and Dr Back. With drapery of various kinds : —Mrs Hawkes, Mrs Brown, Mrsßeetham, Mrs Lane, Mrs Coward, Mrs Turner, Mrs Hawkins and Mrs Ware. With cake, preserve, honey, ko. : —Mrs Philpott, Mrs Wilmer, Mrs Turner, Mrs Hawkes, Mrs Alabaster and Mrs Mathias ; Mr Louther and Dr Back. With maps and- books for library -.—Mrs J. T. Cookson, Mr Hughes and Mr Gould.. With garden seods : —Messrs Hislop, Burnell arid Wilson ; Mr Harman with a mangle, Mr Walton with a bag of sugar, and the Cliristchurch and St Albans Wesleyan Sunday-school teachers and friends with a treat for the children and various presents. Extract from a report presented to the Managing Committee by the Dean of Christchurch. "August 13, 1866. " It gives mc much pleasure to state, in the first place, that the children bore a remarkably healthy, cleanly and cheerful appearance. They were tidy, orderly and well behaved." Further on he says, "On the whole there is a very great and very creditable improvement in the school since I examined it a year ago. I must beg to congratulate the committee on the general appearance of the children, and their evident contentment and cheerfulness, which were very pleasant to witness." " (Signed) " H. J. C. Chbistchtjbch, " Chairman." The report as read was adopted, particular attention being drawn to the financial statement by the Very Reverend the Dean of Christchurch, as showing the very healthy state of the Asylum. Mr Luck, in seconding the adoption of the report, paid some very creditable compliments to the management. The following gentlemen wero nominated as members of the managing committee in place of Messrs Gordon, Anderson, Brown and Wood, who retire by rotation : —Messrs Gordon, Thornton, Walton and Lane. A vote of thanks waa then passed to the outgoing members and to the ladies,' who had so ably assisted the society, and the meeting was then adjourned.

The report as read was adopted, particular attention being drawn to the financial statement by the Very Reverend the Dean of Christchurch, as showing the very healthy state of the Asylum. Mr Luck, in seconding the adoption of the rep>rt, paid some very creditable compliments to the management. ]