BORSTAL WORK

Dominion, Volume 27, Issue 35, 4 November 1933, Page 15

BORSTAL WORK

Welcome to Mrs. Chatfield EXPERIENCES ABROAD A large party of friends was invited by the committee of the Borstal Institute to meet Mrs. M. H. Chatfield, J.P., at afternoon tea in the Dominion Panners’ Building yesterday on her return from abroad. Mrs. Robert Tait, the president, was in the chair, and Lady Myers was among those present. A charming bouquet of red anemones and forget-me-not was presented to Mrs. Chatfield, while Lady Myers and Mrs. Tait were both given posies of violas and primulas by the committee. , Mrs. Chatfield, who was wearing a very becoming dress of brown and amber floral georgette, with a beige straw hat, was welcomed by Mrs. Tait, who gave a short resume of the work of the institute, and told those present something of its history and growth.

Mrs. Chatfield thanked the committee for giving her this pleasant opportunity of meeting her fellow-workers. She was delighted to find that everything had gone so well during the year of her absence, and that all their plans had been perfectly carried out. She had made inquiries in Africa, where they had a good deal of trouble owing to the number of different nationalities, as to the way in which their work, of the sort carried on by the Borstal Institute, was organised. She came to the conclusion that New Zealanders could congratulate themselves on the

fact of the Government doing so much to help. There were no homes in Africa other than general prisons except those run by private voluntary workers. An elderly lady of means in Johannesburg had a wonderful home for girls called “The Open Door,” where the gates and doors were always open and to which any girl in distress could go at any time, and. stay for as long as she liked. Mrs. Chatfield said she was many times asked to explain the Borstal work, and she found much interest taken in the fact of its being Government work, assisted by a voluntary committee of helpers. At Whitehall she met the ControllerGeneral of Prisons, who asked many questions about the work here. She was much surprised to see very little sign of actual poverty in London. She had expected to see evidences of it, she said, in the parks where the people congregated on Sundays and in the hot weather; but though there were crowds of children playing about, none were very badly dressed, and all looked well-nourished. In Whitechapel the people looked squalid and dirty, perhaps, bub quite happy, and not terribly poor. In Kent, the strawberry season was at its height when she was there, and she was told there had not been such a crop of ffuit, or so many pickers, for years. Everybody seemed busy. As far as she saw, only the match-sell era and the street-singers in London looked really poverty-strick-en. In going on to talk of institute work, Mrs. Chatfield spoke of the importance of building up public opinion with a view to giving those who had passed through institutions like the Borstal a chance of reinstating themselves. They had about 90 per cent, .success in those they dealt with, and now that every individual was important to the country, she would like to feel that none of their inmates was lost to good citizenship. A hearty vote of thanks was passed to tlie speaker on the proposal of Mrs. Tate. Mrs. Wilfred Andrews sang two songs most delightfully, “Trees” and “June Rain,” accompanied by Mrs. Dallard, after which Dr. Plabts-Alills welcomed Mrs. Chatfield and thanked her again for the most interesting address, and also thanked Mrs. Andrews for her singing. A very excellent afternoon tea was handed round by the committee, and all those present were able to greet the guest of honour personally.

London lias 11,500 cab-drivers to drive its 8200 cabs, but. owing to vehicles being overhauled, there are seldom more than 7600 on the streets. Thus, there are 14 drivers to every 10 cabs. Weddings.—Simplicity and charm In arrangement The present-day fashion for brides’ and bridesmaids’ bouquets by Miss Murray. 36 Willis Street Tel. 40-541 — Advt. Printed crepes and chiffons have almost been worn as a classic this last suminer in England. At the smartest functions and even weddings these garments are seen. AGNES SAMSON, Lambton Quay, is showing a very nice collection. A chiffon printed in tones of orange, yellow and brown has a three-quarter coat of same material and epaulets of dark brown fur. A brown and white crepe-de-chine is trimmed with brown chiffon. Hats are a specialty and are made individually for the wearer.—Advt.