HOME FOR NEGLECTED AND DEST TUTE CHILDREN

Daily Southern Cross, Volume XXXII, Issue 5804, 5 May 1876, Page 3

HOME FOR NEGLECTED AND DEST TUTE CHILDREN

Tun annual meeting of the friends of the above mimed institution was held last niglit in the huge room of the oung Men's Chustian Association. There w.h .1 lair attend ance. The chair was tnken l>v his llunoi •Sir (George (irey, Superintendent. On tho phtform were his Lordship Dr. Cowie, Bishop of Auckland ; the Rev. I{. S. Hassard, Colonel J Faultain, his Woiship the Mayor, and Mr. W. 0. Kensington. Tho L'h.unnan eomjneneed tho proceedings by calling upon his Lordship the Bishop to open the meeting with prayer. After the Bishop had engaged in pra\ er, Sir (iHiiiCF (ii:r\ addressed the meeting lie said : 1 1 is now my duty, ladies and Ljeutlumcn, to commend to your benevolence a society, tor the consideration of whose aflaits wo have met here this evening. 1 mean the society established for the care of neglected and destitute children. I am sure I need hardly point out to \ou that no duty in tho world could perhaps be moie benolicial to mankind than the taking caic ot the poor neglected beingb whom this society takes undei its protection, and saves from the misery and wretchedness ot their original position to bring up as useful membeis of society. Nothing can be moie useful to society than proceedings of this kind, and nothing can be more grateful to your feelings than the privilege now granted you of taking part in forwarding so gieat a good. These feelings in your minds will, T trust, be raised to a still greater energy by the addresses which will be niado this evening by the gentlemen who will move the resolutions which are to be proposed. As ih is only my duty to introduce these gentlemen to yon, I will now del iv you no longer, but will at once call upon them to place under your notice the claims of the Home for Xeglectcd and Destitute Children to your support. f w ill close my remarks by asking that the ipport and treasurer's statement nuj be road to this meeting. (Applause.) Tnr Rn'iiiir. -Mr. XV. 0 Kensington then lead the following repoit : — The Committee of Management for the part 3*eai desiie to l.iy befoie the sublet iheii and the public geneiall> , the annual lopoitof the Home tor Neglected and De->tilutu Ulnldien. The intitution has now completed the si^th year of its existence Ths leporfc of five \t\irs ago, the yeai of its l>ii Mi and infancy, showed but 25 nun ites ; since that time it has passed thiough itb childhood, and has become an established institution with upwards of 100 names upon the loll. 1 Ins pieface will bo foiling the key note of the lcpoit: .in inciease in the numbei of ululclieu, an inciease of teacheis. an mciu.-se of accommodation, an inciease of anxiety, ,dl dunandinj; an inciease of sympathy and sup pen t fioni those who h ive the good c uisc at he n t. Kruisi'iL's. — The following are tho statistics foi tbo .-ve.ir. April 1, 1875, to March :U, 187(» • - In tlR Tnstitution on the lilst of March, Ib7">, tlieie s.i -i "V lni\s ,1'ul Sli ji'i'ls, lii.ikmn a totil of '10

Finance--.. — By the Treasurer's statement it will be seen th tt dining the pist yeai fiOO has been ieci i ived from the Pi ovincul Government asagi.int to the "Home,"' and also t'tIO on building account : fiom the lelieving oiKcei £10; fioiu th^pnentsof committed eliildi on, tlnoiuh the oxeifions of Inspector Bioham t'I2t 17s. Id ; fiom paionts and otheis on acjount of childieu admitted by Executive Committee, t'72 •>■>. : fiom the box at the Police (Joint, I'll 7*. "•'•; whilst the subsciipHons and donations amount to Q\i~> IX*. : on genei.il account. cM ) 14s. lOd ; bciii 1^ a totil of Cl, 22S !>-,. -Id. to maintiiu 102 dnldien, .i^.iinit *il.'227 •?•<. 4d. lecciveil last ycai to nuintiLii '!0 chili lion. The fact of theie being <>K committed childicn out of -a total of 102 in the "Home" gives the committee jiiht eaase to ">sk fiom the Government a laigely incuased giant for the ensuing year. School, <*u. — The large i ml increasing nurabei ot suholais has been gradually demanding an inciei«e in the teachi lg power. The com lnittoo, if ter c irefully considering the matter, decided to lequost the Bo.ird of Education to assume the chaige of the school in February last The Bo.ml accented the charge, and appointed Mi»s IJ u ton— who has for 18 months conducted the school under veiy great difficulties, but with entire s itisftiction — to the post of hed teachci, and increased the shin* by two .lssistuit-teaehors, which will add materially to the efficiency of the school. During the latter poihou of the year, the nlioe-m iking department In-. ,igvin been in operation, under the dnectionof Mr. Bruce. Considerable progress has been mule by tho lads under his charge, and a saving of money to» the institution has been effected in the item of boots and shoes. AcunnromnoN. — During the past year the comfoit of the establishment has been materially increased by the addition of % now kitchen, with convenient and ample cooking apparatus, and also of a bath-ioom. The committee consider that the question of a larger room, or of an additional loom for school purposes, requires immediate consideration. The present room is far too sin ill for the number of children, and it is highly desirable that the younger children should be tin u;ht in a loom by themselves. He vi i'H. -The he ilth of the inmates during the jeai Ins been satisfactory; two death? only hav« oceuued, and those entirely from ordinary causes, md not fiom any want of attention on the pait of those entrusted with their caie. The committee feel that they owe a great debt of gratitude to Dr. Kennedy for his gratuitous and uni emitting attention, which, under God's blessing, has contributed so largely to the good heilth of the childien. Ofniiui.- The cxies of the committee of management necessaiily increase with tho inciejio of childien. The committee would espi ( tally mention tho anxiety which they have felt with ipgaid to the girls who have left the institution and become seivmts. Of the larger numbi'i of tl i boys and gills, satisfactory repoits continue to be l cached, .«nd applications, fai moie thin can possibly be complied with, aie constantly being made. Uut the immoral atmosphere fiom which these children haVe been i escucil has, in some cases, left its traces, which, in moio than one instance, has afforded both an\ictyand perplexity to the committee. Tiian'KS. — The L'ominittee take this opportunity of acknowlodginq tho gieat caro bestowed on their sevcial duties by the Master and Mation, to the conscientious discharge of which so much of the success of the institution may be .ittnbuted. Tl)e Committee also leturn theii thanks to those ladies .mil gentlemen who hive j,iven theii 'ei vices as teachers in the Sunday School, which has been happily rpoommenccd under the superintendence of Colonel ILiultnn Tlie thanks of the Committee aro also due to the Lidics' Committee for their cheeiful l.houin in their special department, ajd when the luge number of children to bo clothed .mrl geneially looked after is considered, then <lutie-i can neither bo light nor few. The Committee would also thank the various friends of the In-tihiHon for their subscriptions, donation 1 , mil u.fts, and also for several amusement . piovided foi the childron. Tn addition to tlie name- of subscriber? attached to the Kejiuit, tho Committee would mention the nani"s of Ciptain Lo B 'ui, s.'i. ' Hero;' Captain Rills. ' City of AurkUnd ;' Drs. Kfnderdine md Wallace, A[essis. J. B. Hiibsell, E. Isaacs, Le\ , and Co, Hirris. lii^clow, Win stone liiotliei-., Binney, St. Matthew's Vestry, tho liope ( 'omi)any an 1 others. In conclusion, the Committee would lender thanks to Almighty God, \.1iosp ble.ssini; Iiar been with the Institution dm in- the ]wM ye-ir. diroptiiig tho hands of it r i lends and blinking it sifely thioujrhall dilBeulnei and 'uixieties. To Him 1 e all the piaise. Into His h ind the Committee confide the Institution foi the year to come.

f — (Lend applaus followed tin- uwi'uigof the [ 1( pO> L ) Mi. (!. \Y. Owin. ii"». ticasiuu, then read an abstrac t of tho receipts and oxpentliturc. The ui eipts appear in tho ropoit. The expenditure was — Km food, rlothing. amUn'nv I'i'Os 1 410 Elucition, \c. 1^1 If' 7 Building account . 13s 7 11 Total L J1.1?L'S it 4 Tli3io lnd been received since the lepoit \s is dnwnup fiom Gowrnmont t'o'J 10s ; out of which has been paid for building, \c, i'47 Is. 10d.: leaving a balance in the hands of the treasmer of UJ4 2s. 2d. The Chvtraiav: His Lordship will now move that the report aud treasurer s state ment be adopted. His Lordship Dr. Cow n 1 said: I have much pleasure in moving " That the repoit and treasurer's statement be adopted ' I have this pleasure not only from leading the report, and hearing the statement i ead, but also from having myself inspected the condition of the Home. I have few opportunities, I am sorry to say, of visit ing this excellent institution, being absent during most of the year in the country districts; but I was there yesteiday, and must express to you my entire satisfaction with all that I saw. This was not mv only visit. I have seen it from time to tune, and I think the commendation of the mas cr and matron expressed in the repoit is most fully deserved. I had the pleasuie of being in formed that there was at the time of my visit only one child ill This speaks volumes for the kindness and attention shown to the children in the Home. You know how rarely in our own homes there is no illness in the household. T would specially commend to all members of the chinch of which I am a minister, the excellent ohu.ictor of this institution, and its ( laims upon them on the giound of there being in it GO children who are called members of the Church of England. Jt has. therefore, a great claim on them as being by no means of an exclusive or seotaiiau cha racter, and T hope they will do .ill they can to .support it. On a former occasion we weie told that thegreatest want was a new kitchen, and I was very glad to see this great improvement had baen made. I saw, however, that there was need of another addition, and that is a playing-shed connected with tho institution, so that the children could at all times ha\o recreation without risking their health, especially during the wet season which we arc likely to have .soon. 1 would call attention to another matter mentioned in the lepoit It Mys tint very gieat assistance had been obt.ini"d through the exertions of Mr. Ijioham. Tpwards of a hundred pounds have been obtained hoin the patents of tin. i lid dien taken chuge of in the Home. This shown the wholesome character of the institution. It is not pauperising the people toi the parents are compelled to support tin n children, whom they otherwise would totally neglect. We do not say we will have nothing to do with these outcasts of society. We know that the sins of the fathers are visited upon their children, but it is not our business to visit the parent's sin upon his offspring We are going upon the good Latin mixiiii JFr>Uo fatissimtH '/>/•>. The thanks, not only of this meeting, but of the entiio community, arc cordially due to Inspector Broham. The committee lm c also taken a capital step in putting the school under the Board of Kdue.it'on. They In \e not only saved the funds of the institution bub have secured for tho children ,i good system of instruction, the same m e\eiy lespect as is to be found in any other school in the province. Knowing that theie arc sixty children belonging to the Chinch it is especially giatifying to see that theie is an efficient .Sunday-school, and I am sine we must be thankful to Colonel Haul tain when we know how numerous his engagements arc. 1 am able to give the giatifying evidence of the manner m whic 1 : the children love the school 1 havo just come from Mahurangi. There I saw a servant whose great tiouble was that she had not he.ud horn the mation of the Home, where she had been educated. I thought that was a proof of t ie motherly treatment she had received from Mi->. Stiekley whilst there. She entrusted me with a letter for Mrs Stiekley. T can gi\ e you another fact connected with this former pupil of the Home. A friend of mine made her a present ol half a-ci own when he left the house in •which she was a sei v.iut, aud she, instead of being eager to spend it upon ribbons for herself, bought wich it a pin ot shoes for the youngest Chill of the family. This shows that the childion ivcive .i good moral tiainmg in the school, and are taught to ( ultivatc a ki'idly tov!iii v _,. I have much pleasure in moving the adoption of the report. TheC'iUi m vv called upon Mr. Sher.i to second th" motion Mr. Sm:i:\ s.nd : Your Honor, ladies and tjenllemen, — 1 have much pleasure in seconding the adoption of the report. I may be permitted to say that I have great pleasure in congratulating the treasurer on his having a balance, though it is but a small one. 1 am aware that several times during the year the commitleo had to lie overdrawn with the treasurer. I am very glad to know that this institution has the good will of the community. In collecting with Mr. Isaacs I found that the citizens subscribed willingly and with great liberality. We were only refused in two cases. I am satisfied that this institution has the heart of the people with it, and will continue to do so if its work is done in the futiue as it has been in the past, i think, too, th.it tho greatest praise is due to the seciefcirica, Colonel Haultain and Mr. Kensington. Thd Chajkm vn' put tho resolution to the meeting, and declared it unanimously enried. He then called upon the Itcv. Mr. Bruce. Mr. Bruce said : I have very much pleasure in moving, "That the steadily incieasing numbers of inmates rendei.s it absolutely necessary that enlarged support should be accorded to tins institution." Those who have listened to this report, which I have not heard read, but have had the pleasure of myself reading, as it was forwarded to me by Colonel H.iultain, will, I doubt not, accord their hearty assent to the proposition I make. The Home is one of those institii tions which represent the humani'-ing side of Christianity. J remember when I was i>t college the Latin class used to be called the "humanity class." I was puzzled at tho name, but was told that it was so called because tho Latin language was supposed to bo the only humanising language [ (Laughter.) Without indulging in anything like exaggeration, 1 think Christianity might be called the only humanising religion because it has done more than all the other religions put together have done to cultivate and develop feelings of charity. There is, however, no good existing in this world without a c )riespousing evil, and it mnst be a source of pain to us to oee the causes which render necessary such .hi institution as this. There is a tendency in these eo'omos — though 1 am not in a position to say it is more developed heie than in the old country — there i* a tendency in parents to neglect their children. In a Christian land one is shocked at di->covuing that there is a tendency to deueud upon thu goodness of the community. 1 Hud a readiness on the part ot those who ought to stand forward in the place of God, as He has put them in that place to forward the interests of tho young, whom He has entrusted to them when they are short of means, to desert their children because they know there ate such institutions as this amongst them, f am, therefore, very glad to see that Bishop Cowiu draws attention to the fact that a considerable portion of the funds are drawn from those whose children have been thus deserted. 1 am only sorry to notice that it is owing to the exertions of Inspector Broham, without which the amount received would have been very much smaller. A Tery grave question arising from this 13 tho necessity tor making a social reciprocal law amongst tho 'colonies It' a parent deserts his child, communication mi"ht be made with all the colonies, so that the" pol'co could be put upon his track. The telegraph now makes this a possibility, and I hojio soon to see such a law passed which shall have force in all these colonu-a. In making these remarks 1 hope I shall not be considered as saying anything calculated

to slacken the interest .my aw disposal to show towauU thus institution No nutWr what aie the causes ot I lit (listless or clinic existing among us, it is none the less our duty to try ami lessen the oiv and remedy the results (lowing from the other. 1 hope, therefore, th vt tins yeai , in consequence of the large iucrease of the numV-r of inmates, the support given by the jmbMc will ho largely increased, so that next year the treasurer shall be able to jep'ut a much larger revenue. Colonel Haultun requested mo to do what I could to induce as many as possible to attend here. My engagements prevented me fiom doing so, but 1 may men tion that one lad} to whom I spoke, e\ pressed her regiet that she eould not be here .She, however, intimated her willingness to contribute to the funds, and 1 shall be vei j glad to hand ovei her subscription to the treasuier, I assme >ou. T have very much pleasure in moving tins resolution. His Worship the M v\ oh said he had been asked to second the resolution almost at a minute's notice, but after the eloquent addtess of Ins friend, Mr. Bruce, it was unnecessary for him to make moie than a few remaiks. A strange anomaly foiced itself upon our notice, and that was, that civihsa turn and poverty go haud in hand. As communities increased, calls upon them increased. He hoped that in the political changes that were now taking place some more permaueut arrangement inis^ht be made for charitable institutions. He would recommend the committee to apply for grants of land, which, though at present of little value, would ultimately place the Home in a position ot security. No one could speak better on tins subject than the Chairman, for, thanks to Irs foresight, many of our institutions would become very wealthy in consequence of the endowments which he gave when Governor. Ere the present generation passed away the probability was that a considerable income would be derived fiom grants of tin-, descnp tion now made. He had the gi eatest respect for voluntary contiibutions, but ho felt that this institution had special claims on Government. The people of Auckland had always been forward when called upon for chai itable pm poses, and he hoped the da\ Avas far distant when they would not be so. The Cn urm w put the resolution, and declared it unanimously carried. The Rev. 11. S. Hassvrd moved, "That the following gentlemen foi in the committee for the ensuing year : — Patron : His Excellency the Governor. President : His Honor the Superintendent. A ice Presidents : The Right Rev. Bishop (Jowie and his Worship the Mayor. Committee: Yen. Aielideacou Maunscll, Revs D. liiuce, P. If. Cornfoid, \V Da\ics, 1{ S. Hassatd. R. T. Maenicol, W Tmsley, W. J. Williams, Dr. Puich.is, Mr. Ken : Messn .T. Coupland, W. C. Daldj, W.Gome, I) Goldie, T. M. Haultain, P Herapath, C Holdship, E. Tsaaes, H Kennedy, W. C. Kensington, T. Maeflarlane. G. W. Owen, .1. B Husscll. •J. M. Sheia, A. Stewaib, and E. Way to. " The mover said the duties ot this large committee would be, he presumed, tirst to elect from their number an executive, and sutondly by their influence to laise money. He had been on the committee, and knew that the members of the late committee had attended exceedingly well, and in many oases at considei able inconvenience. One who deserved as much, if not more, credit than the .secret iries was Captain Daldy. lie expiessed his satisfaction at the repot t, stating that theie was a balance in the bank, as, though affairs had turned out all light in the end, it was far better to know yon had the mono) to spend be tore you spent it. lie piopo->od th.it it v as desirable to hue a p.ud tullcctoi. All honour to the ladies who knew so well how to get the money out of the pockets of the merchants, but <i collcLtoi would get at the great mass of the people who only wanted to bo asked. lie was exceedingly thankful that the committee had put the school into the hands of the Board of Education ; this had relieved the funds, and given three teachers instead of one. Tlieie was absolute necessity for another room for the school, and that a veiy large one, he hoped to see it erected during the present year Mr. Dvhgavii.lk teoonded the motion. The Rev P. H. Corxforp pioposed a vote of thanks to the committee of last year. This was not a mere foimal thing, as many votes of thanks weie ; tor the committee had given their services with all their hearts. The community owed pei.sonal thanks for the benefit? they had received. Let them unngine the state of nflrid it all th°se j children weie allowed at large again. Dr. | Kennedy especially deserved thank's He had visited the Home 1 OS times d.mug the year , sometime s tin ec times in one day, and sometimes at late hours of the night. He pioposed, '"That the thanks of this meeting be given to the committee and olHcers ot this institution, and especially to Di. Ken nedy, tor their ,sei vices during last year." Mr. Hoi.dshh' second id the resolution. He spoke in highly eulogistic terms of the good maiugemeur of the Executive Committee as evidenced in the fact that the children had been fed and clothed for an amount something less than 4s. a week. Like Mr Biucehe had spoken to some one who had been unable to come to the meeting, but who had s ud he felt himself indebted to the institution to the extent of half-a-guiuea. He had no doubt tlie half guinea would be foitlu'oining, possibly it might increase to a guinea or two — The vote was passed unanimously. Captain Dvuiv proposed a vote of thanks to Sir Geuigo Grey for occupying the chair. There was no othei person who could so properly occupy that position. They had heard an act (Hint of what the officers of the Home had done, but Sir Gcoige Grey deceived even greater thanks, because he was the tii -.c peison in thii colony who thought ot these things that were coming upon us a- population increased. He (Captain Daldy) must take the liberty to say to-night that the provisions made by Sir Geoige ( hey had not been as fruitful as they might have been, but he trusted the time was coming when they would be better utilised, si) that there would be no need ot the tax gatherer or the subscription list. Colonel Hvui/rAiN seconded the \ote of thanks. They all knew that attendance at meetings of this kind must be exceedingly nksomo to a peison who had so many duties as his Honor. He had been at all times, however, leady to assist every institution that would give benelit to the public. They did not know all he had done ; that w\u known only to himself. He (Colonel Haul tain) would mention one instance. In 18157, at a time when there was a great deal of disttess in Auckland, he had gone down to Wellington, and theie met Sir George Grey, who was then Governor. He gave Sir George Grey a very bad account of the state of Allans. Sii George said "Suppose 1 send t7>0 a month, would that be of any use ? " He (Colonel Haultain) afterwards ascertained that Sir George sent -CdO a month to Archdeacon Lloyd, and continued to do so until he was told there was no longer any necessity for it. (Loud applause.) Sir Gi;okue Gkby said : Ladies and gentlemen, — In returning you ray thanks for the very cordial manner in which you have lcceived the last proposal, allow mo to avail myself of the privilege accorded to a chairman, to sum up some of the suggestions which ha\e been thrown out to-night. And hist I would siy what Mr. Holdship has pointed out to you— the extraordinary small sum for which these children have been fed, clothed, i>nd in part educated. I would wish to add that it is owing evidently to the great care t.iken of them that the children aio preserved in what is an extraordinary state of good health for young people. His 1 lonor declared Ins belief that so far from the calls upon the charity of the people increasing with increase of population, they would diminish. Such institutions as this would bring about what he most earnestly hoped to see— a development of Christianity such as hiid uot hitherto been seen. Hit. Honor closed the meeting amid loud applanse. A collection was then made at the door. The amount leceived was £4 ltis. 7d.

A eouticie 1 for lomoving the .snags which have i>io\e(? .111 impediment to the navigation at tin- Ohiiiciuiui Hiver has been let to Mr. Kalph.

From 4 to 7 j ears unexpired. . 21 „ Ito3 „ „ 23 Tota 1 of committed inmates 44 Admitted bj order of lehewm,' offlcei . 0 Admitted b\ E\ee Committee 11 Retained m house on waives 0 15 (_ Total No I 9 i imdei — ) the Act 24 OS 3 15 ') 20 2 2 G4 38 102

t\ei 11 \oils of au^ mm 12 to It M-Misof a', r c ,, Moll ,, „ •J to 7 „ ,, Jntlcr 4 ,, ,, • Boy 0 4 20 2ft 3 :s. Girl . (I . a n ..17 . l ■N. Tut tl (> J .. 3 ; .. 40 . 4 Tutil number in school 04 :vi 102

The tot.il number in the school, of all nge-<, ib nvile up as follows :

Number* .uul uuovpirecl tor.iH of co uniittoil inmates :

T<> -mi>' I \,i n of trim I) ul r, o 2 s .. S 0 0 1} 14 2 Tutal discli ir_oe. 16 l'l

Tlit 1 M-» h.u i;h (I'u ing the j car were as follow ■>

U\ i , i i 1-1 the V.; '4 lit rates . 15 „ Hilicinnolh. cr 7 ,, ,, :.\OU'tl\l'(Jo!!)il lttCC4 liirls ') .{ <l S. K ota I !! 10 l ; 'i i { il V(lnii*<!ions . . 2f> 21 47

'1 !,< A'li >'■> ■ mis iliuint; tho \car wore as follows :