FOR THE HELPLESS.

Evening Post, Volume LXXX, Issue 135, 5 December 1910, Page 2

FOR THE HELPLESS.

- ♦ — GIFT TO MOTHER AUBERT. A CHEQUE FOR £2000. SPEECH BY THE GOVERNOR. Mother Mary Joseph Aubert's jubilee was celebrated on Saturday evening by a concert at- the Town, Hall. The attendance was large, and included His Excellency the Governor, Lord Islington, who was received by the Rev. Van Staveren, Dr. A. W. Izard, and Mr. F. W. Crombie (hon. secretary to the Reception Committee). The programme was of the beat, local entertainers being very prominent. The opening item was the organ solo, "Doge's March" (Ross©) by Mr. D. A. Kenny, Mr. E. Parkes following with, the song "Oberon." Other items in the first half were:— Song, "Dear HeaH, ' Miss Ei. Van. Staveren; recitations, "Life," and "The Three Ages," Mrs. Sutcliffe; humorous song, "Lady Humming Top," Mr. J. Dykes; and song, Mr. Jas. Jago (of Dunedin Liedertafel). Mr. Kenny opened the second portion with Lemare's "Andantino" on the organ, Miss Eileen Ward then singing Mascheroni's "Aye Maria" (violin obligato by Miss Ruby M'Donald). Other items were: 'Cello solo, "Serenata" (Moskowski), Mr. F. R. Johnstone; recitation, "Trouble in Amen Corner," Miss L. Van Staveren; song, "The Bandalero," Mr. James A. Doherty; and a humorous duet, "Great Scott," Messrs. J. Dykes and A. W. Newton. The accompanists were Mrs. F. Montague and Mr. D. A. Kenny. THE PRESENTATION. The chairman, the Rev. H. Van Staveren, apologised lor the absence of Ministers of the Crown, who were unable to be present. "The object of this function," he said, "is to show our gratitude to one whose heart is well filled and flowing with feelings of tender pity for those who are unable to look after themselves. This charity is dispensed by the Rev. Mother Aubert; whose heart is always open for those who have not natural guardians. Mother Aubert is completing her fifty years' work in this country i and I am sure that w© are proud to b© aule to show our gratitude. It is a pleasure to us to pay her some little tribute, and I will .call upon His Excellency to preeeht her with a cheque." (Applause.) His Excellency was received enthusiastically. "I have come here," he said, "to perform a very pleasing and gratifying ceremony. The large audience, consisting as it does of all classes of the community and of all creeds and demonminations, is eloquent testimony to the number of people who desire to identify themselves in this tribute to Madame Aubert for her life and work in New Zealand. On behalf of those gathered here this evening, and, I may add, of many others elsewhere, I have been asked to present you this gift as a token of their respect and also as a very genuine expression of the admiration in which you are held in New Zealand, where, 'for no less than half a century, you have rendered such spleod'.d service, to your feilow-creatures. No words of mine can add to or detract from your work. It requires no panegyric to commend it, because it stands out for itself as a monument of sustained energy in the cause of human solicitude— (hear, hear) — and 1 am sure that in days to come it will ever be remembered by v people in New Zealand as one of the examples of disinterested devotion, which, if it cannot be rivalled, can at least, and will be, a stimulant to others. Your energies extend over a period which practically synchronises with the life of New Zealand. From 1860 onwards, when she left her native country, France, she has unswervingly devoted her life ,and energy to the ministration of the sick and poor and the weak. Though she is an ardent Catholic, she has never discriminated in her good work and her compassion. (Loud applause.) The Maori race will ever gratefully remember her for- her labours in their interests, and to-day there are to be found in Wellington, Auckland, and Wanganui establishments for incurables and foundling homes, all of which have come into existence by her energy and initiation. During the last twelve years she has especially devoted herself to the ministrations of incurable children in Wellington. Madame Aubert always does her work 'as unobtrusively as possible, but at the same time it cannot be- other than a deep satisfaction to feel that the amount of good she has rendered to those least able to help themselves has earned the unstinted appreciation of all with whom sho has been brought in contact. It has been my privilege to be brought into intimate association with many of the inspiring social workers of this generation in the Old Country, and there is one sho reminds me of' — General Booth (Applause.) Like him, you have devoted yourself to the betterment of those in distress. You, like General Booth, seem to possess that singular quality that the more years that accumulate round you the greater becomes your restless energy to extend and increase yoar beneficent work (Applause.) In handing you this gift I will conclude by saying that, apart from the work and th© intrinsic value that its results have conferred upon. New Zealand your personality and example will always stand out as a bright possession of the Dominion and its people, and will always bo revered. (Applause.) It is the earnest desire of all that you be spared in health and strength still for many years to come to continue and extend your good work with that unswerving devotion which for fifty years you have rendered to the Dominion." (Loud applause.) The cheque, announced His Excellency, was for over £2000. DR. IZARD IN REPLY. Replying on behalf of Mother Aubert, Dr. A. W. Izard expressed her deep appreciation of the gift. She felt that Lord Islington paid her a great compliment by coming personally to present the cheque. (Hear, hear.) To the people of Wellington, ehe wished him to say how deeply thankful she was for the- handsome gift. Her work, as His Excellency emphasised, was not for one section or one denomination, or even one race. She worked for humanity, and New Zealand was her parish. (Applause.) They were proud of the Rev Mother Aubert, the grand old lady of New Zealand. On behalf of the committee he thanked His Excellency for his presence^ showing once again the interest he took in all philanthropic movement*. Amidst applause, Mr. Van Staveren announced that the Rev. Mother Was devoting the money to a convalescent home for children.

Another large sum has also been received from a gentleman and his wife. Ihe amount collected in tho streets and hotels was £221 14s 6d. £ta; prizes for £h© £g&sfciod of

largest sums went to Miss Lorraine, Club Hotel (Mrs. T. G. Macarthy's prize — a necklet )_, the amount being £10 Bs, and €o Miss Davis (turquoise pendant), her quota coming to J3B 16s 9d. Great credit t is due to Mrs. T. G. Macarthy, who' has worked so assiduously and successfully in carrying-out the arrangements. The public has generously responded to the call, but the different gatherings held have entailed a large amount of work, and Mrc. Maearthy has been a most zealous worker in them all.

DONATIONS. Some of the principal donations Were is under : — Mrs. Grace £Iqq Mr. and Mrs. Martin Kennedy 100 Mrs. Walter Johnston 100 Staples and Go \[\- iqO Anonymous donor ... % " iOO lion. C. J. Johnston ... .'." bO Wellington Bookmakers '" 42 Fathers of St. Patrick's College 25