ST. SAVIOUR'S GUILD.

Press, Volume LVI, Issue 10269, 11 February 1899, Page 9

ST. SAVIOUR'S GUILD.

—* — The annual meeting of this institution was : hold at tho rooms of tho V.M.C.A. last night, his Lordsh'*- the Bishop residing. The report of the Council opened with a reference to the realisation of one object of the Guild, the erection of the building at Richmond, in which to carry on the work of St. Mary's Home. During tne year Sister Frances, owing to ill-health, relinquished all active work, and her resignation was received with the very deopest regret. The Council had also lost the services, through her bereavement, of Mrs Blakiston, and her loss Avould be severely felt. Mrs Jennings, owing to ill-health, resigned Her Sosition as lady in charge of St. Mary's fome, and the services of Sister Rose had been granted from the Deaconesses' Home. Sister Marian had undertaken the oversight of outside work, that -was the visiting, and care of girls leaving the Homes, and others who may require temporary help. The numbers dea.t with during the year amounted to 90, of which 14 had bsen maternity cases from the Samaritan Home. The Council recorded with pleasure the formation of similar niilds in the dioceses of Wellington and Nelson. Attention was again called for the urgent need of legislation, especially in regard to the Question of contagious disease, making better provision for compelling putative fathers of unborn children to provide for their maintenance when bom ; also with regard to the amendment of the law of criminal assault. The Children' Aid Society had been doing good work, and had fully justified its existence. Mrs Scott had kindly undertaken the work at the Refuge, resinned by Sister Frances, and the Council felt gratified at having been enabled to place the institution in such capable hands. The finances of last year had been greater than usual, £2500 having been reised, exclusive of the Charitable Aid and Government grants, and the report recorded the thanks of the Council to all who had assisted to bring about this result. On the motion of the Chairman, seconded by Mr C. E. Bevan-Brown, the report-was adopted, after some remarks by Mr C. H Bridge. The balance-sheet showed the receiots to have been £2957 13s Id, and the expenditure £2945 3s. The assets amounted to £1864 10s Id, and the liabilities to £719 17s 2d. The balance-sheet was adopted. The report of St. Mary's Home specially, was satisfactory, but stated that the difficulty which was now being felt was the want of larger accommodation. At present tlie inmates numbered fifteen. Twelve liad been admitted and four had left for service, three had gone away, and two had died in.the hospital. The thanks of the Home were recorded to Dr. Irving, Mr Bonnington, Mr S. B. Seymour, Mrs Faville, Mi- Taylor, and others for help in .various ways. The report of the Refuge * referred with satisfaction to the improved sanitary arrangements. It stated that during 1898 the average number of inmates had been unusually large. The work liad generally given cause lor thankfulness. The officers for the year are—Warden, his Lordship the Bishop; sub-warden, Mr C. Hastings Bridge; secretary and treasurer, Mr A. F. N. Blakiston; council, Mesdames Dunkley, Godfrey, and Scott, Miss Maude, Sister Edith, the Revs. Canon Knowles and W. Dunkley. and Mr T. I. Smail. The Chairman pronounced the benediction, and the meeting closed.