SOCIAL SERVICE.

Press, Volume LXIV, Issue 19317, 23 May 1928, Page 5

SOCIAL SERVICE.

PRESBYTERIAN ASSOCIATION. The nineteenth annual meeting of the Presbyterian Social - Service Association was held in the St. Paul s Hall last evening, Dr. R. Erwin presiding over a very large gathering. The annual report showed that the Association had again been responsible for splendid humanitarian work in connexion with child welfare. The Association had no further extensions in thq number of its institutions, but the homes in Bligh's road, Windmere road, Rhodes street, and North street had) been used up to their capacity. _ Ihe first two and a half years of the Association's existence was given to Juvenile Court work and general social service in the City and province. In tne third year the first home for motherless children was opened, and since 'then the Association had been in a position to accept the permanent custody of children who had lost either fathei or mother or both. . "It cannot be over-estimated, states the report, "that we hold as firmly to-day as at the beginning or our work that our duty to Church and State is: first, to lend the weight or our influence in the direction of maintaining the family circle intact. Orphanages, we acknowledge, are but substitutes for the Christian home m the community. Second, when everything else fails we strive to create homes for needy children as near the idea of the family circle as Christian liberality and practical experience can provide. Third, when it becomes necessary for us to take permanent custody of any child we do so in the firm conviction that the God of the widow and orphan will help us out. Fourth, it has always been our aiin to enlist the active co-operation of any _ suitable relative within reach in providing the right atmosphere and securing adequate maintenance for all in our care. The report referred to the work of the superintendent, the Rev. F. Rule, on the Unemployment Committee, and his relinquishment of duties in connexion with probation work. Reports on the doings of the various institutions were incorporated in the annual report. The boys and girls in the homes were well cared for physically, spiritually, and educationally. The financial report, although disclosing an excess of expenditure over income of £259 13s'2d, was regarded as satisfactory and a gueat improvement on that of the previous year. The amouni received in subscriptions, donations, and contributions totalled £1909 17s 7d. The report and balance-sheet were adopted. The meeting passed a motion or sympathy with the Rev. N. L. D. "Webster m his illness. . Messrs W. H. Rose, A. 0. Wilkinson, R. F. Sutherland, J. I. Royds, J. G Berdman, and J. Storry were reelected to the committee. After the business of the meeting a number of musical items were presented, and an excellent demonstration of physical drill was given by boys from the Bligh's road Home.