“ADVENTURE IN FAITH”

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30042, 29 January 1963, Page 9

“ADVENTURE IN FAITH”

Private Home For Bovs

An “adventure in' faith** will begin today, when Mr and Mrs X L. Montgomery move into a house at 7 Kirkwood avenue. It will be known as Charles Upham House and will be used as the base from which the Montgomerys will help problem boys or those lacking proper care at home. The scheme has the backing of several religious organisations. Business houses and private individual* have given financial support.

Mr Upham, who agreed that his name be used, may be at the official opening of the house on February 9. On that day. two boys will move in with Mr and Mrs Montgomery. They may eventually have half a dozen boys living in the house. Mr Montgomery explained that a large number of boys was not wanted. The aim was to make the house and the scheme a family affair. The house will realise an ambition of three year** standing for the Montgomerys. “If we can save boy* from starting on the first step to borstal then we will have achieved something—anyway that’s our goal," said Mrs Montgomery. Mr H. J. Walker, ILP- has offered to assist their scheme; so has Dr. P. P. Savage, the assistant medical superintendent at Sunnyside. Mr N. O. Pickering is the secretarytreasurer of the scheme and Mr E. T. Beaven is the president.

The Kirkwood avenue house has about 12 rooms and Is being leased. The boys who live there will pay a small rent Although the scheme to not a money-making proposition the Montgomery* hope to make the house self-sup-porting eventually.

The boys will be between 14 and 17 years. Some may have been dealt with by the Children’s Court and other* may be directed to the home by welfare organisations. Mr and Mrs Montgomery have already tried to do similar work in their pretent home in Orontes street but it was too small. Their motto wUI be: **We specialtoe in the impossible.*'