SOCIAL SERVICE '

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 227, 19 June 1920, Page 7

SOCIAL SERVICE '

, WOBK OP PRESBYTERIAN OKPHANAGES.

The annual meeting of the Wellington, Presbyterian Orphanage and Social Service Association was held in St. John's. Schoolroom last evening. Tho Rev.. Dr. Elliott presided. In moving the adoption. : of .the report and balance-sheet,'as printed, Di\ Elliett referred to the absence of the Kev. Dr. Gibh, and said that accordinsr to the latest news he was welt. Soeakins of the work of the Social Service Association, Dr. Elliott emphasised the ereat need of consistent pecuniary assistance in lseepinE it coini:,. and of a conception that all money beyond the t margin of the ordinary needß of life should be held'subicct to Divine calls. A matter that seemed particularly necessary in the days of dear livine and of the fluctuations of business was on endowment fund, so that tho orphanages would not bo so dependent upon subscriptions. The secretary's report 6tated that the eleventh year closed with a total of 105 children, 59 "of whom aro bo.vs and 46 sirls. One hundred and twenty-nine were cared for during the year. .40 were admitted, and 24 (including ono death) left, 212 havino; passed through the asso-, clation's handß since its inception. Tho threo homes are more than full;--Between 70 and 80 bnvs and eirls are attending the oublio schools, and all with a few exceptions of backward and subnormal children are maWne satisfactory progress. A notablo fcaturo of the year's experience" has been the laree number of applications for admission; Entrance wa» munh for no fewer than 400 children, only 25 per cent, of whom could be at nil considered to meet the associations rcouirements. Sixty per cent, of this latter number were accommodated, the be- . ins placed with private people. Touching i upon Mr. Mills's work as probation officer, tho report stated that his duties were increasing. Over 100 probationers passed •hrough hiß hands during the year, and ■ it waß satisfattory to note that only four of these failed to mako good. The balance-sheet showed receipts amounting to £5025 sb. ltd;, this including a erant of £152 from the T. G. Macarthv Trust. £104 10b. Si. from tho executors of Gavin Keid, £10 from the executors or, D. DalKlolsh. and £150 from the oxecutors of XT. 0. Hanson. Expenses totalled £4889 17s 10d., leaving a balance in the bank ■ of £135 Bs. Id, The report and balanceil'oet as printed, were adopted. ■ ■ - Brief speeches were made by the Kev. < Mr. Burrldge and Mr. Mills (secretary! the latter touching uopn the difficulties of makins ends meet In these days of high, prices, and also of the way n which.the. orphanages reflected the housine difficulty, as many applications for admittance to the orphanage were made by parents wno were refused accommodation because of their children. "Tho child is now less wanted in thiß country than ever before, in it. history," said Mr. Mills. Reference was also made to his work amontr offenders against the law. • ■ - Durinsr the evening the children from the orphanage .contributed action songs, and Mrs. Kerry and Messrs. Crawford and Eobertßon also sang.