PRESBYTERIAN SOCIAL SERVICE ASSOCIATION.

Press, Volume LXV, Issue 13377, 19 March 1909, Page 4

PRESBYTERIAN SOCIAL SERVICE ASSOCIATION.

In view of the establishment of a branch of the Presbyterian. Social Service Association in Ckristchurch, a reporter obtained some interesting inrormation from the Rev. E. A. Axelsen (mho has been in charge of the work at Dunedin since its inauguration) in regard to the undertakings of the particular organisation under notice. Mr Axelsen proceeded to "Wellington last raight to confer with ministers and members of the- Presbyterian congregations in the Empire City with the object of starting a branch there. - Mr Axelsen, who -was for- a considerable time formerly, agent for the Patients and Prisoners' Aid Society in Dunedin, and in that capacity expended much eelf-sacrificing labour with excellent results, stated that the Presbyterian Social Servioe Association undertook t!;e chaplaincy of public institutions, assisted destitute persons on leaving hospitals or charitable institutions to find work, or else alleviated their pressing necessities, taught at the industrial schools, took charge of-young lads from the Juvenile Courts, and cared for orphaned and destitute children. Air Axeleen said he had at present under his charge at Dunedin 40 lads who had come before the Juvenile Court, and whom the magistrate did not oare to send to an industrial school. These boys were placed in good homes amid the very best influences, either in the town, or the country, and were kept separate from each other. Employment was found for them in the town or country according to the suitability of the particular boy, and they were so keenly sought after by employers that the demand for their services could not be adequately met. They had two orphanages, one for girls of any age and for boys under ten, and another for boys only. At present they were accommodating between 60 and 60 children in this manner. In all, Mr Axeleen had from 90 to 100 young people under his care. Although so many boys had been taken from tho Juvenile Court, in all the two and a half years' experience of the work in Dunedin, Mr Axelsen said only two boys had gone wrong. Mr Axelsen co-operated most cordially with the Government schools, assisting both tho Burnham and. Levin institutions. It was proposed to carry out much the same kind of operations in Christchuroh, except at the first orphaned or destitute children would be sent to the Homes at Dunedin. The work was entirely undenominational, save for the fact that religious instruction was given to inmates of the various public institutions belonging to the Presbyterian faith. Both in the case of the inmates of the orphanages nnd the_ boys taken from the Juvenile Court, it was insisted that they should be brought up in the faith to which they nominally belonged. The establishment of similar efforts by other denominations in the largo 'cities, Mr Axelsen explained, was always welcomed, and effective co-oporatidn could be secured so as to prevent any overlapping and abuses. The speaker stated that the Itev. Frank Rule would have charge of the work in Christchurch ami would be inducted into the position on Tuesday evening next. He had had large experience in social reform and had for the past twelve yra.ra boon a home missionary of the Presbyterian Church. In Dunedin this year it was anticipated that some £2009 would be required for the Association's undertaking. Two and a half years ago £000 sufficed. There would bo no difficulty in raising the sum required. The Association was supported by voluntary offerings, the bulk of the money coming from the Presbyterian people.